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Over the years, the abuse of Crystal meth has increased radically among teenagers belonging to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in America. There is a growing concern about meth addiction, as it is one of the major contributors to the spread of HIV infection. Its easy availability and relatively low cost explains why this drug is so popular everywhere. This drug can be abused in a number of ways and the effect varies depending on the way it is abused. For instance, the effect may last for about six to eight hours if injected or taken orally while it may be as long as ten to twelve hours if smoked. It can also be snorted, however the euphoria produced is not so intense. Results are almost instant when smoked or injected and the intense rush or 'flash' caused is supposed to be immensely enjoyable.

Basically a methamphetamine, Crystal meth is one of the street names, others being "speed", "chalk", or "meth". This drug is also called "glass", "crystal", "crank" or "ice" in its smoked form and belongs to the amphetamines family of drugs. As per the Ontario Student Drug Use Survey (OSDUS), only 2% of the young population uses Crystal meth. However, its use is increasing among those frequenting clubs and the homeless youth. Poly-drug use (combination of two or more drugs) including Crystal meth is on the rise among street youth who abuse this drug for recreational purposes.

Crystal meth can affect the brain by speeding up the central nervous system and also cause increased wakefulness, and reduced or loss of appetite in those who abuse it. Like other amphetamines, Crystal meth too gives a feeling of well being to users compelling them to use it frequently making them addicts in no time. Often used in a "binge and crash pattern", Crystal meth can wreck the user's health in no time. People abusing this drug take a long time to recover and suffer from withdrawal symptoms if the use of drug is stopped or reduced suddenly. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include depression, suicidal thoughts, and fatigue.

When people abuse Crystal meth, large amounts of dopamine (chemical that boosts self-confidence, improves mood, and enhances sex drive) are released in the brain leading to high dependency on the drug. Insomnia, dental deterioration, and high heart rate are some of the other effects Crystal meth has on drug users. Drug users soon have to switch on to greater amounts of Crystal meth to enjoy the same effects it had in the initial stages of their addiction.

One of the worst things that can happen to users is that they are likely to indulge in unprotected sex when under the influence that puts them at a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Thus, there are strong chances of HIV positive users getting reinfected with a drug-resistant strain of HIV, thereby endangering their physical and emotional health. Besides, Crystal meth can be life threatening to users already on HIV medication.

Crystal meth addiction can be successfully treated in a rehab center or any addiction treatment center where drug users undergo a detox program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lauri_Starr-Jones

In February of 2009, an article published in the Dallas Morning News told the story of a north Texas family that became unwitting victims of the illegal drug trade. The Rodgriquez family purchased a home in Grapevine that had previously been in foreclosure and promptly moved in with their three children. But it soon became apparent that something was wrong. As the article states, soon after they moved into their new home, the family's dog began experiencing seizures and ultimately had to be euthanized. Subsequent tests of the home revealed that several rooms and the attic were contaminated with traces of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine contamination is more common than you might think; and the problem is not limited to houses. Vehicles, hotel rooms, apartments and storage units are frequently used to manufacture methamphetamine, creating health hazards for unsuspecting future inhabitants.

Although meth is made from legally available, relatively common household substances, the manufacturing or "cooking" process releases highly toxic fumes and residues. Acute exposure to these contaminants, such as police officers encounter when they first enter a meth lab, can result in burns to the skin and severe lung damage. Longer term exposure to even small amounts of these contaminants can cause breathing problems, eye irritation, skin irritation, nausea, dizziness and headaches.

Once a meth lab has been dismantled, many of these contaminants remain-on walls, in carpets and in ventilation systems. And meth doesn't have to have been manufactured in a home for the home to become contaminated. Heavy meth use by previous residents can also leave behind traces of the toxic substance, exposing future inhabitants to health risks from exposure.

Although laws in many states require sellers or their agents to disclose any known use or manufacture of meth within a home, the activity often goes unreported. When the presence of meth is suspected, or a homeowner is concerned about the activities of a home's previous occupants (as in a foreclosure scenario), the home may be tested for the presence of meth-related toxins.

If chemical residue related to the manufacture or use of methamphetamine is detected, extensive and specialized clean-up is necessary. It is recommended that the property be thoroughly aired out-for several days at a time-and cleaned by a company specializing in hazardous materials removal. Ventilation systems should be cleaned and all filters replaced. If visible staining or odors are present in carpets, drapes and other soft surfaces, replacement may be necessary. If not, all soft surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dusts, powders and vapors from the materials used in meth manufacture. In most cases, walls and ceilings will need to be cleaned, and a new coat of paint applied to create a barrier between any residual contaminant and the air inside the home.

Because it is certainly better to be safe than sorry when it comes to potential health hazards in the home, re-testing for meth-related residues is recommended after a thorough cleaning has been completed.

 Top 3 Reasons That Make Meth So Horribly Dangerous
By Serj Sagan

 Whenever we hear something on the news about the "war against drugs," meth is almost always mentioned as well. We hear about how badly it is spreading. For those of you who are around meth then you know that it is spreading throughout our neighborhood, our friends, even spreading to our kids. Whether it is spreading or not, is it really as dangerous as they say? Is it really a cause for concern? We will cover the 3 main problems of meth and why we should do everything in our power to stop its spread.

Meth is one of the most addicting substances on the planet; many experts consider it the most addicting. The main, of many, reasons for why meth, speed, crank, tweak, crack (crank mixed with cocaine)and crystal meth (all of these are different names for the same thing) is so addicting is the severe and long recovery. The coming down (recovery) process lasts 12 to 24 hours, depending on how long you tweaked (was high on meth) straight (typically 3 to 7 days.) During this excruciating 12 - 24 hours you generally cannot sleep, even though your whole being starts to feel like you've been awake forever. Remember how your knees start to hurt when you are starting to get to the 24 hour mark of no sleep? Imagine that 7 times worse and not just on your knees, but all over your body. During this whole time the only thing that you are thinking about is "How do I get rid of this feeling?" You can't sleep it away. Weed can help sooth some of it out, but not by much.

You have spent all of your money on the crank, you've pawned most of your stuff already and you are thinking twice about how much you really need your TV or stereo and how much will the pawn shop offer you for that? Nobody will every loan you money again, you've promised everyone you know that you'll pay them back. Your mom even let you borrow the money twice, but it's not going to happen again because you lied to her about where you were going to spend that money. In the end you decide that your TV will go to the pawn shop, knowing that you are going to regret this decision later, just like the many other decisions you have made, since you've started using meth. Of course if you do make it past this stage the mental and physical addiction is so strong that pretty much the next time you get some money in your hands, you instantly forget how horrible it was to come down because you remember that you enjoyed the high so much more.

 This is the typical experience that a tweaker (a person who is addicted to meth) has when he is coming down. What about someone who has never done meth before? Will they have a different experience? Sadly, the answer is yes. The first time you do tweak, it is perhaps one of the more enjoyable experiences ever. This is of course determined by your environment also. If you are downtown hanging out with friends, having a good time and this is where your first time is, you will get a high that you will hunger for, for the rest of the time that you are tweaking and even your life. Your first time, you are more sociable, picking up chicks or guys will seem so easy, you have the energy to take on the whole world, and you just feel great all over.

Your recovery? Yes, the first time there is a very little, if it can be called that, recovery. The reason why is because your body is still able to normally produce endorphins and therefore compensates when you start to withdraw. The whole point is that the first time you felt great with little to no consequence, not to mention that the first time it was probably free. These all point to you likely trying the stuff again. Meth is perhaps the only drug that most of the people who try it become addicted after using it just one time. And if that was not enough, one of the truly unique things about a meth addiction is that with other drugs, when you are done with the high, you feel guilt for using them.

Not so with meth, with meth you actually feel great for doing it because you get so accomplished. You worked harder at work; you cleaned your house; fixed every conceivable thing that could be fixed, or while trying to fix it, broke it so bad that it could only be thrown out; you did all of the things that a "good" person would do. This means that there is no guilt, in fact you feel like you discovered the secret that could help you achieve all of those insurmountable goals that you have; you feel like everyone else is a dope, but you are somehow special, that you are in control, and you are only using it to help you achieve your worthy objectives. What a lie. You end up wasting that time, and instead of moving forward in your life you seriously take a few steps back, you are not somehow special and you are just addicted as the next guy...just try quitting and you'll see. I don't mean to make this sound any worse, but one other thing...official records state that 90% of those who do actually quit crank, go back to doing it again and again and again.

Meth will cause permanent brain damage. This may seem like such an empty statement, anymore, because it seems like half the stuff in this world will somehow damage your brain. However this stuff does it in a really nasty way. First of all you are pretty much guaranteed that when you finally mange to quit tweaking within just a year or two, pretty much all of your experiences during those three years are erased you will only remember a few of your most memorable of memories, and even that is foggy. On top of that you begin to function at only a fraction of what you were able to do before you started tweaking, intellectually. You will be slower at figuring out math problems, literacy becomes an issue, crudely said, you become stupider. On top of that a significant percentage of the people permanently stop producing dopamine, the chemical that is responsible for your body's natural high. Without dopamine, clinically you are considered depressed, which makes it that much harder to quit in the first place, but even worse; you will suffer the consequences of your mistake for the rest of your life.

Meth will destroy your life, both physically and socially. Just listen to this true story of someone who used to be a meth addict "... is still badly brain damaged and locked into brain-induced psychosis - another way of saying schizophrenia. He also has Hepatitis C which will eventually kill him, because of the nasty life his addiction lead him into (male prostitution included)." Or another interesting fact, "meth users might form open sores that ooze. These sores are commonly referred to as speed bugs or crank bugs. The sores are formed when the unabsorbed toxins from taking high amounts of meth are being rejected by the user's body and emitted through the skin. Heavy users may experience the feeling that bugs are "crawling" under their skin. The user can severely injure themselves by scratching, digging or cutting at their skin trying to get the imaginary bugs out of their skin." These are just a few of the ugly sides of crank. The anti-meth pictures you see on the billboards don't commonly get that bad, but the sad fact is that they are still very true. There is more info out there about how badly meth messes you up but I think you get the picture.

If you are someone close to a user, it is best to see them as a person who is driven by another evil force. They may be themselves when they are around you, although a bit withdrawn, but inside they are really hurting and are desperate. Meth fills the void for them, temporarily. Yet, it is like filling a hole in the ice with hot water, the only thing it does is make the hole bigger and bigger. You should have pity for them, even if they steal your money, even if they make you really upset; but don't you dare for one second excuse their behavior or even worse enable it. They are ultimately responsible for their life and need to pay for their own consequences, no matter how terribly it may cost them. If you are dealing with this situation then I ask that the God of heaven gives you the wisdom and the strength to get through this very difficult time in your life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Serj_Sagan

I love Facebook - truly. Depending on your intentions, it can be everything from a singles bar, to an online portfolio, to a group discussion, or just a plain old bullshit session online. I travel a lot (I mean A LOT) and most of the time I'm there are no friends or family with me. Facebook gives me a way to have a semi-intelligent conversation, make a few online friends that I hope to meet one day in person, or just get online for a few minutes and swap dirty jokes/videos from YouTube.

I am Facebook friends with an MD who lives on the opposite coast from me. Never met the man; I don't know that I ever will. I can tell he's very passionate about helping people and we recently shared an exchange about crystal meth and what it's doing to people. I dropped my two-cents on his wall as a reply, and since then I've been thinking about addictions, alcoholism and perceptions. Rather than post all of this to his wall, I'll make it my first entry for ezines.

If I make it a few more months, I'll celebrate 22 years of sobriety. I find it nothing short of astounding to be able to say that. I identify as an alcoholic for simplicity's sake: I didn't discriminate when it came to using. If I thought it was going to get me going, then I tried it. Me and DOW, Incorporated: Better living through chemicals. While my post is going to be about addiction and crystal meth, I'll be tossing around the word alcoholism pretty liberally. To me, "alcoholism" and "addiction" are redundant and interchangeable.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of medical students about alcoholism. Now, to be clear: I am NOT an MD. I have an EMT that I got many, many years ago and I keep my certifications current. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on television. I was invited to talk to these students from the perspective of a recovering alcoholic and looking at the disease from the perception of an alcoholic. Medicine can do wonders for an alcoholic. A decade or so of drinking and using can take its toll on the body and by the time you're ready to throw in the towel it is going to take some time on the reassembly line to get put back together.

Here's the punch line I shared with the assembled masses:
As an alcoholic, my problem is not alcohol.

How's that for a show-stopper? You could have heard a pin drop when I threw that one out there and I'm sure there was more than one person wondering if my sobriety time was indeed intact. If, as an alcoholic my problem was alcohol, then detox centers would turn out winners 24/7/365. Simply stopping drinking would be enough. Put the bottle away, say goodbye to my favourite watering holes and begin life anew - right? If that logic were true, why do so many people return to drinking? They know they have a problem. They might be in hot water at work; their family situation may be tenuous. And still they keep at it - over and over and over again. I've personally witnessed people keep going at it just one more time to the exclusion of all else, and often with tragic results. Their families leave for good, they get fired from one more job or worse; they wind up dead. Everybody I got sober with at the skid-row mission I cleaned up at is dead. They all decided to try it one more time, and none of them survived.

Why do alcoholics and addicts do this? It's intellectually astounding, isn't it? You put Humpty Dumpty back together again in the ER for the 8^th time, talk to him about his drinking and using, and he swears it will never happen again. You believe him when he tells you this too. The alcoholic believes it when he's saying it!

So, what is the fix? It's so simple; it'll blow your mind. If the alcoholic doesn't do something to change their perceptions of reality while they are not drinking, then they will drink again. Eventually, stopping drinking - by itself - makes life such a painful, untenable state of being that the alcoholic will drink again just to numb down the feelings that they've never dealt with sober. This is the answer why you almost never see a case of alcoholic psychosis; it's almost as rare as bubonic plague. Why? Because when life becomes so unbearable and reality so painful, the alcoholic will drink just to make the pain disappear. The same can be said for any addict - any substance you're choosing.

Alcohol for me, changes my perception of reality - the same can be said for any drunk, really. The vast majority of my friends are not alcoholics, and I can drink them under the table any day of the week. Drink for drink, shot for shot, I could take any of them on. They are going to get buzzed. For me, alcoholic changes the reality of my world; the buzz is just a perk. One drink for me, and I'm better looking, funnier, I fit in more. One drink for me and what I'm feeling inside matches the outsides of the people around me. Insecurities vanish, paranoia disappears. I've altered my perception of reality with two fingers of tequila, or a hit off my bong, crack pipe, or whatever I happen paraphernalia I happen to be using at the time.
Meth addicts are no doubt physically addicted to the substance - no question about it. But there is also their altered perceptions of reality that have to be addressed or they will use again. I'd bet my life on it, and I do so every day of the week that I stay clean and sober.