Whereas drugs are meant to help our bodies recover from illnesses, when used in a way not prescribed by a physician, they can be harmful to the health of an individual. Also referred to as substance abuse or drug abuse. Some of the commonly abused drugs include cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroine among others. Substance abuse is prevalent in the world and every year governments roll out millions of dollars to rehabilitate affected persons and prevent its use. A look at methamphetamine identifies both positive and negative sides of its usage (Miller and Kozel, 1991). When used well according to prescription, it is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, narcolepsy and obesity. However, when abused, it is associated with many disorders as discussed in this research paper.
Meth and Brain Toxicity
Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant and is usually inhaled through the nose, smoked or injected into the body using a needle. It stimulates the release of dopamine which is the chemical responsible for brain’s pleasure functions associated with motivation and reward. When dopamine is released in excess in the system, it produces an intense rush of pleasure which is followed by a euphoric high lasting up to twelve hours. According to Susan Nolken-Hoeksma (2008), substance use can lead to withdrawal and dependence.
One of the disorders associated with meth abuse is neurotoxicity. It refers to the damages done on the brain cells that store serotonin and dopamine. When dopamine is produced in excess, it causes neuropathological changes in the brain. Continued abuse of methamphetamine is known to result in permanent structural and biochemical effects on the brain which significantly affects how the brain functions. The neuropathological changes cause a decrease in the levels of transporters of both dopamine and serotonin to the various parts of the brain. Studies show that daily use of meth causes increased death of brain cells which has a significant effect on the prefrontal cortex functioning of the brain.
Also, the increased changes in the dopamine system functioning is associated with impaired verbal learning and reduced motor skills. Chronic abuse of meth severely damages the brain mainly parts related to memory and energy according to studies. This explains the many emotional and cognitive struggles the substance users face. The neurological changes have caused a rise in people with a deficit in memory execution. The deficiency is manifested in the inability to solve problems, increased impulsiveness and risky or poor decision making. Further dysfunctions constitute lack of self-control and apathy.
Studies reveal permanent damage to the brain for chronic users of meth. The dopamine receptors are destroyed reducing the ability to feel pleasure. Although neurotransmitters may recover with time after stopping usage of meth, the damage done to cognitive abilities is irreversible.
Cardiovascular and Internal Body Organs problems
Another disorder of meth abuse is cardio-toxicity and strokes. Despite meth being an intense drug producing pleasant feelings to the user, it can also cause unpleasant ones as well. It causes a speedup of the heartbeat rate. Daily use can cause heart failure. Problems experienced by users is heart strain resulting in palpitations. This causes the heart to weaken and enlarge while the heart rate increases. When this happens, blood flow to the heart and other body organs is significantly reduced. This may result in increased risk of the user getting stroke. At times, stroke is inevitable, and many people have got stroke while using meth. Since blood transports oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body, the reduced flow may result in more complicated health issues including respiratory diseases.
Meth use is also associated with irregular heartbeats and condition referred to as arrhythmia. Its symptoms are a slow heartbeat and shortness of breath. The heart can be slow or very fast, and this can result in the heart failure due to lack of blood flow. Chronic use may result in exerting heavy pressure on the heart and sharp chest pains which are all signs of a possible heart attack.
Also, meth use causes bleed of the heart and blood vessels as it facilitates a chemical reaction of sugar and amphetamines. The reaction creates inflammation as well as antibody responses due to protein changes. The result is damage to the blood vessels and heart resulting in bleeding. In the process, lungs, the liver and the kidneys get damaged. Sometimes the damage can be fatal and if not attended to may result in eventual death.
Meth Mouth Disorder
Meth mouth is yet another disorder associated with meth usage characterized by severe gum disease and tooth decay. This is the most common and visible physical sign of meth addiction. Since crystal meth is snorted or smoked, most its chemicals find their way into the mouth and reside there. Over time, due to the poor dental hygiene of meth users and long periods of dry mouth, damage to the gum and teeth begins to take place. This is because meth itself is acidic. Also, many users have a craving for sugary beverages and need to clench or grind their teeth adding more harm to their teeth. The result is an irreversible periodontal disease.
Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss is also common to meth users. This drug suppresses appetite and at the same time increases energy levels. It is also common for meth users to lack sleep and with the boosted energy and plenty of activities, weight loss happens very quickly. This poses a considerable risk to the user given that most of the time is they do not take proper diet or give attention to nutritious foods.
Insomnia and Mental Illnesses
To some extent both chronic and non-chronic users of meth experience insomnia. These are long periods characterized by lack of sleep. At times, they can go for many days without sleep only to have long days of sleep afterwards. This irregular sleep pattern of sleep which is mostly not being able to have enough rest adds a lot of stress to the body. And since sleep is essential to the health of an individual, many chronic meth users end up sick, and most have shortened lifespan.
Getting enough hours of sleep gives the body and the brain enough time to recuperate. If one goes for long without sleep, even if they are healthy and not drug abusers, they experience a mental strain. It is even worse for meth users and behaviors associated with depression and hallucinations begin to manifest. Acts of isolation become common, irritability and mood swings from extremely happy to very sorrowful. Anxiety and paranoia also engulf meth users to the extent they feel intensely even when not using the drug. Such feelings cause them to be antisocial because of the feeling that someone is out to get them. This further complicates things as they cannot seek professional help while in that situation.
Risky Sexual Behaviors
Unsafe sexual relations are common among substance abusers, and meth users are not exceptional. Due to impaired judgment and rush in making decisions, they often find themselves in many unsafe sexual relations that put their lives at risk. According to reports from National Institute on Drug Abuse, meth speeds up the progression of HIV Aids and may cause its symptoms to worsen. Unprotected sex may result in pregnancy, and if the mother is addicted to methamphetamine, chances of birth defects are high.
Meth users in this situation are more prone to blood-borne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C because of sharing needles.
Getting addicted to methamphetamine always begins as a form of recreation. Before long, addiction kicks in. Some of the reasons that cause meth to be addictive are because it interferes with decision-making ability causing the user not to reason and see that the drug is dangerous. Also, always being around people who use meth causes frequent relapses. Mostly, this is because teenagers and young adults are the worst affected by this addiction. And this is the group regards peer counsel highly. According to Boeri, M. (2013). Women as well are more likely to abuse meth compared to other hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Even so, the damages to the body and the society as a result of this substance abuse outweighs the gains of just feeling good. So much money goes into rehabilitating affected individuals, and that adds financial strains to families and governments alike.
References
Miller, M. and Kozel, N. (1991). Methamphetamine abuse. Rockville, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Boeri, M. (2013). Women on ice. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press.
Talcote, N. (2009). Addressing methamphetamine abuse. New York: Nova Science.
