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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.

Meth or methamphetamine is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic substance. In layman's terms, it's a drug that gets a person high, specifically causing euphoria and excitement, and is thus prone to abuse and addiction.
Unlike marijuana, cocaine and heroine, meth - also called 'crank,' 'ice,' 'snappy,' 'crystal,' 'tina,' 'glass' and 'P' in the United States; 'shabu' in the Philippines; 'tik' in South Africa; 'yaa baa' in Thailand - is a purely synthetic stimulant. So how bad is this synthetic drug?


'(Meth) is the most malignant, addictive drug known to mankind,' says Dr. Michael Abrams of Broadlawn Medical Center (Des Moines, Iowa), where more patients were admitted during the past year for abuse of methamphetamine than for alcoholism. 'The body has enzymes that break down cocaine,' he said, 'but not with methamphetamine.'

Meth is derived from amphetamine, which was first synthesized in 1887 in Germany. It was, for a long time, 'a drug in search of a disease,' until it found its use as treatment for depression and nasal congestion in the late 1920s.

Then in 1919, meth was synthesized in Japan, taking the form a crystalline powder soluble in water. Today, it is produced legally and sold under the trade name Desoxyn in the US.
Amphetamines were used in World War II to keep soldiers fired up and ready, but they were most widely used during the Vietnam War by US soldiers, exceeding the amphetamine consumption by the rest of the world during WWII. Intravenous methamphetamine abuse reached epidemic proportions in Japan immediately after the war, when supplies intended for military use became available to the public.
In the 1950s in the US, college students, truck drivers, and athletes were using legally manufactured tablets of both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine), which became readily available even for non-medical use. This opened the floodgates to abuse that even the 1970 Controlled Substances Act wasn't enough to reverse the trend.

Meth is a tricky life-wrecker in that it hides its disastrous long-term effects with its short-term effects that can be used by an individual to his advantage, like increased attention, decreased fatigue, increased activity, decreased appetite, euphoria and rush, increased respiration and hyperthermia. Of course, drug dealers won't tell crank heads that meth could, in the long run, cause addiction psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, mood disturbances, repetitive motor activity, and stroke.

Meth addicts are categorized as (1) those who use the drug for medicinal purposes and eventually become hooked, (2) those who use the drug to get that 'rush' euphoric feeling, and (3) babies who are born to a parent with meth addiction. Babies born to meth-addicted parent or parents usually suffer from low birth rate, tremors, attention deficit disorder and other birth defects.
Recovery from meth addiction is possible, but the withdrawal period is intense and there are possibilities for relapse. Worse, meth addiction not only causes dysfunctions in a user's everyday life but also affects the addict's family and loved ones who bear the brunt of this substance-induced social illness.

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

 

Meth is easily one of the most dangerous drugs that our teens are getting addicted to, and the scary part is that many parents are clueless until it is to late. The early symptoms of meth addiction can be a bit hard to recognize in teens as it will sometimes mirror normal teen behaviors.

In a world of drug abuse and addiction, knowing the warning signs that your teen may be addicted to or using meth may mean the difference between life and death. Parents simply must inform themselves, regardless of how well adjusted and well behaved their kids may be. Even the honor roll student is not immune to the persuasive powers of this powerful drug called meth.

Early Symptoms of Meth Usage or Addiction
The early symptoms or signs of meth usage and addiction are the signs that can be tricky. Teens are by nature moody, and can be angry little buggers. That said, it is important to not simply dismiss these actions as typical teen behavior. While they may be completely benign, they may also be a signal that something is wrong. Here are a number of early warning signs of possible meth addiction or usage:

Sleep disruption - Teens are likely to stay up late and sleep in during the day on weekends, but if you notice a change in the baseline behavior you should look into it. When a teen is on meth, they are likely to stay up for days on end, and then go through periods of sleeping continuously as well.

Nervousness - Another key sign of a problem with meth is when your teen is constantly fidgeting. "Ants in the pants" is a good way to describe this behavior and your teen may nervously pick at their skin as well.

Drastic Weight Loss - When your teen begins to lose weight at a rapid rate, you should definitely check it out. Meth will cause your teen to lose interest in food, and eventually begin to lose weight.

Panting - While this is not generally obvious, it is to a Parent. If your child is breathing heavier than usual, then your instincts should flare up. Meth speeds up the heart rate, and panting can result.

Needle marks or Tracks - If they are injecting meth, they will usually leave marks behind. Teens will often attempt to shoot up in areas that are easy to cover so be alert. Other signs that they may be using is burns on the lips, nosebleeds, and burns on the hands.

Lying or Out of Place Aggression - If your teen begins lying about everything, especially where he has been and what he was doing, then you should be asking some tough questions. This can extend to many areas of his life. Also, meth can make your teen extremely aggressive and angry. Pay attention if they show signs of this that are out of character.

Avoidance of Family - Meth addicts usually will avoid contact with loved ones due to the secrecy of the addiction, and the cover up of symptoms or tracks. The emotional toll this takes on the teen meth addict is devastating.
Finding paraphernalia - If you are finding pipes, or other unexplained drug paraphernalia, there is a good chance that your teen is using. Do not accept the "I only did it once" excuse.

Teens who are addicted to meth are very sneaky and capable liars. They know how to get around you as the drive for the drug far exceeds their concerns about right and wrong. Once addicted, the teen meth user will steal, lie, and do anything to procure the meth. It is vital that you recognize the signs early, before your teen is severely addicted. Once they are addicted, the road to recovery is not guaranteed. Meth is very powerful, and you must be proactive in your parenting duties to catch it very early to give your teen a chance.

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

Meth or methamphetamine is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic substance. In layman's terms, it's a drug that gets a person high, specifically causing euphoria and excitement, and is thus prone to abuse and addiction.
 
Unlike marijuana, cocaine and heroine, meth - also called 'crank,' 'ice,' 'snappy,' 'crystal,' 'tina,' 'glass' and 'P' in the United States; 'shabu' in the Philippines; 'tik' in South Africa; 'yaa baa' in Thailand - is a purely synthetic stimulant. So how bad is this synthetic drug?

'(Meth) is the most malignant, addictive drug known to mankind,' says Dr. Michael Abrams of Broadlawn Medical Center (Des Moines, Iowa), where more patients were admitted during the past year for abuse of methamphetamine than for alcoholism. 'The body has enzymes that break down cocaine,' he said, 'but not with methamphetamine.'

Meth is derived from amphetamine, which was first synthesized in 1887 in Germany. It was, for a long time, 'a drug in search of a disease,' until it found its use as treatment for depression and nasal congestion in the late 1920s.

Then in 1919, meth was synthesized in Japan, taking the form a crystalline powder soluble in water. Today, it is produced legally and sold under the trade name Desoxyn in the US.

Amphetamines were used in World War II to keep soldiers fired up and ready, but they were most widely used during the Vietnam War by US soldiers, exceeding the amphetamine consumption by the rest of the world during WWII. Intravenous methamphetamine abuse reached epidemic proportions in Japan immediately after the war, when supplies intended for military use became available to the public.

In the 1950s in the US, college students, truck drivers, and athletes were using legally manufactured tablets of both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine), which became readily available even for non-medical use. This opened the floodgates to abuse that even the 1970 Controlled Substances Act wasn't enough to reverse the trend.

Meth is a tricky life-wrecker in that it hides its disastrous long-term effects with its short-term effects that can be used by an individual to his advantage, like increased attention, decreased fatigue, increased activity, decreased appetite, euphoria and rush, increased respiration and hyperthermia. Of course, drug dealers won't tell crank heads that meth could, in the long run, cause addiction psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, mood disturbances, repetitive motor activity, and stroke.

Meth addicts are categorized as (1) those who use the drug for medicinal purposes and eventually become hooked, (2) those who use the drug to get that 'rush' euphoric feeling, and (3) babies who are born to a parent with meth addiction. Babies born to meth-addicted parent or parents usually suffer from low birth rate, tremors, attention deficit disorder and other birth defects.

Recovery from meth addiction is possible, but the withdrawal period is intense and there are possibilities for relapse. Worse, meth addiction not only causes dysfunctions in a user's everyday life but also affects the addict's family and loved ones who bear the brunt of this substance-induced social illness.

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

Meth or Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive illegal drug. Also known as crank, speed, and crystal meth, the drug effects the central nervous system. It is a man made substance that is often produced in home and clandestine laboratories. It can be made into powder or pills, which can be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected.
Meth is extremely dangerous, not only to the user, but also to the people around them. In the past, users would get meth that was brought in from other countries. Recently however, people are starting their own labs here in the United States. These people are finding "recipes" that include extremely combustible ingredients such as common household products, like paint thinner and starter fluid. These ingredients are blended then "cooked" over heat to produce the drug. Often times, these labs with accidently explode, which can lead to huge explosions that could potential damage to buildings and people around the lab, not just in it. Also, many crystal makers will purposely set their labs on fire if they are in danger of being caught by law enforcement officials.
Meth users can be anyone. Unlike some drugs, it does not just stay within certain communities or areas. It is abused by adults and teens, young and old. It also crosses all socio-economic backgrounds. It is used all across the United States, although it is more prevalent in the Midwestern states such as Iowa.
Meth users can become easily addicted to the drug because of how it affects the brain. This addiction can be very hard to break. The reason why it is so addictive is because when a user achieves a high that makes them very happy and in some cases very productive. However, when the user comes off of the high, they become very low and depressed. This is because the drop affects the brain by block dopamine and causing a chemical imbalance. So in order to stay happy and have that positive effect, they feel as if they need to keep on taking the drug. Crystal Meth is a stimulant like Cocaine which is also very addictive. Meth users often mix the drug with another addictive drug, alcohol. This can produce even more dangerous side effects. The drug users will eventually do anything they can to get their hands on the drug, which is why many of them will start to "cook" it themselves. This can also be dangerous because of the risk of explosion that could injure or even kill the maker and people around them.
Besides becoming addicted, meth users are more likely to commit crimes while high, or not, mainly because of their addiction. Users have resorted to robbery in order to be able to pay for the drugs. Meth user's brains are not functioning properly while they are on the drug so they may become violent or extremely aggressive.
Users of this drug suffer from addiction which is a disease. There is treatment and even cures from Meth addiction, however it is a process that can be difficult and users will need the support of their families and friends while they try to break away from this devastating drug.

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

Methamphetamine has become a vast problem in the United States and is growing in popularity in other areas of the world. Meth use has overtaken Cocaine use in the Midwest and accounts for more drug related deaths than Cocaine in the last three years. Oklahoma now has Meth as its drug of choice.
As far back as 1999, a whopping 9.4 million adults admitted to having tried Meth at least once. The fastest growing group of Meth users is in the 18-25 age range. It only takes one use of Meth to become addicted. Meth is an insidious drug and works by impersonating the chemicals produced in the brain for pleasure. Meth produces more of these chemicals to be released at one time and this is what causes the high or the rush that is experienced when a person first ingests Meth.
Once a person experiences this high they develop a need to feel it again and again and go in search of that first rush, which unfortunately will never be repeated.
But why do people first get involved in drug use, particularly meth?
That is a question that many families and friends of addicts ask.
It is a tough question to answer as it has to do more with a person's sense of self and their level of self respect than anything else and the root cause is often a need to feel better or different.
Meth does not cause any physical withdrawal symptoms but it is an addiction that is deeply rooted in the psyche, making it hard to break and there are often many relapses.
A Meth addict doesn't start out with the purpose of becoming an addict - but because of the stranglehold that the drug develops over the brain, treatment can be long and difficult. Meth addicts find themselves in a vicious cycle that has them taking the drug to alleviate pain they feel in their lives - which in turn becomes more painful because of the drug use and the cycle continues with the user having to seek out
Meth in order to feel "normal".
Treatment for Meth addiction has to begin with a detox program which lasts 4-6 weeks. During this time the addict will report strong cravings for the drug. Depending on the length of time an addict has been using, these cravings can last anything up to a year or more. Heavy use means the likelihood of a relapse is all too possible.
Treatment for Meth addiction will involve a lot of counseling and relearning of ways to find pleasure in their life that isn't related to taking drugs. Treatment may also involve a prescription for an anti depressant as the addict may sink into depression as the brain has lost the ability to experience pleasure from normal everyday occurrences.
Meth addiction and its treatment will need to involve help from professionals such as substance abuse advisors and doctors. Family and friends are also encouraged to become involved in the addicts treatment and recovery as they will need a lot of support to overcome meth addiction.

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

 

Methamphetamine is the most addictive substance and being the derivative of methamphetamine, crystal meth also is very addictive drug. In short, crystal meth can be more addictive than methamphetamine, as it is of a higher concentration than methamphetamine. There are various crystal meth treatment centers in almost every state of America and the number of patients to these centers is also high. These centers mostly follow the rehab program to treat crystal meth addicts.

Almost all the people who are into crystal meth addiction are young and belong to the age group of 18 to 25 years. The bodies of these youth are still into developing phase at this age and by taking an addictive substance like crystal meth, these youth are playing with fire. As these youth will grow older, their bodies will become used to crystal meth and then it will become quite difficult to cure them.

As the symptoms for crystal meth addiction are similar to any other type of drug addiction, it becomes a really difficult task to find out whether the addict has a crystal meth addiction or not. Hence the first job of these treatment centers do is to find out whether the addict is really addicted to crystal meth or not. The symptoms of crystal meth addiction are the addict feels happier, their eyes appear bright, they feel more energetic and can do more work easily and they look more cheerful too.

There are various other symptoms to find out about the crystal meth addiction. You can find these symptoms on the Internet. You can also learn more about crystal meth addiction by visiting the federal websites like National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Clearinghouse, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, etc.

If you know someone who is addicted to crystal meth, you can either take them to a treatment center if they are ready or can plan an intervention program to help them come out of their phase of denial. The interventionist will guide you on how you can carry out this intervention program and make your loved one join the treatment program as soon as possible. This specialist will guide you at every step of your intervention program. If you don't know about a proper treatment center in your area, you can ask the interventionist as they will help you in selecting the best one among them.

The interventionist will make you form a group of people who know the addict. Each member from the group will need to write what they feel about the addict and how strongly they want the addict to join the treatment center and live an addiction-free life. Each member will need to prepare their speech and without looking into paper will need to say this in front of the addict and that too with proper feeling. This will surely make the addict think about their lives seriously. This will make them plan their lives without addiction in it. Thus they will be ready to joining the treatment center.

The next job will be to find a suitable treatment center and make the addict join the treatment program. There are special treatment centers to deal with the crystal meth addiction and you should make sure that you search one of them. You should also check the license of the treatment center. The treatment provider should be well qualified and all the medical facilities should be available in the center.

In case there are no good treatment centers for treating crystal meth addiction in your local area, you can also try and join the treatment centers that are in other states. You can always take the main treatment from this center and then shift the patient to your local center for an aftercare program. The treatment of crystal meth addiction is more intense than any other drug abuse treatment. The patient will be needed to be strong-willed to go through all the stages of the treatment p[program. The patient's family can play a major role in giving full support to the patient. The detox treatment for the addict of the crystal meth is also tough and the withdrawal symptoms can last for about one month. The aftercare treatment is also equally important as the patient might feel the urge to go back to their addiction.

Locating a crystal meth treatment program is not difficult because there are a lot of options available especially in current times. But it is important to see that the program will be suitable to the needs of the patient. This you can do only through adequate research and planning.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_D'Silva

Ensuring drug users get into drug treatment is more important than ever as this new method of making meth makes the drug more accessible.


Police and community groups who've been desperately trying to handle the meth problem by shutting down meth labs and getting users into meth treatment are afraid that the latest method of making methamphetamine, called 'shake and bake', will start a new wave of meth use and create a new generation of meth users. Their fears are justified: when you make a drug easier to get and less expensive, it can spread like wildfire - just like crack.

Shake and bake is all over the news. The 'shake' part of it refers to a small portable lab more or less in a bottle. It produces smaller amounts and requires fewer supplies than regular meth labs - which means there's less chance of someone getting caught buying the supplies. This method also allows the drug to be made without the tell-tale odor that often leads to meth lab busts, and meth makers can simply pick up their lab and run should it come to that, although they may catch on fire in the process.

With things like shake and bake around, it's more important than ever to ensure the people in your life don't get involved in drugs, and that those who are already involved get into drug treatment. Meth is probably the most physically and mentally damaging of all drugs and, in truth, if a person is living in a drug environment, there's no guarantee they won't take meth or any other drug.

If you want to get a look at what meth can do, check out facesofmeth.us. The photos on the site show the changes in people from the time they get their first mug shot to a second shot, months or years later (during which time they've been using meth). The changes can be drastic after just a few months, and after two or three years, you could literally have trouble recognizing your own son or daughter. And even if they stop taking the drug, there's a good chance they'll never look the same again or fully recover their health.

There are a lot of people in prison because of drugs. Some would be better off in drug treatment. But anyone who sees what meth can do would no doubt feel that those who are in prison because they made or sold meth are probably in the right place. Let's just hope they also get a complete drug rehab program so they're less likely to get involved in drugs when they get out of prison, and less likely to continue to ruin the lives of others.

All of us have a list of worries when looking to move into a new home but if it hasn't occurred to you before, you should have possible meth contamination on your list. If you are considering moving into a location that's in or neighboring a drug abuse area or a foreclosed property, count environmental testing for street drugs as first on your list.

A 2002 survey by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed that more than 12 million people age 12 or older (5.3 percent) had used methamphetamine at least one time in their lives. In 2003, 32 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationally named methamphetamine as the number two contributor--behind cocaine (50 percent)--to violent crime in their jurisdictions.

Methamphetamine Manufacture

Methamphetamine is made in improvised illegal laboratories using ingredients oftentimes bought in local stores. Over-the-counter cold medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine and other materials can be "cooked" to make the drug. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), methamphetamine production and trafficking have changed in the past 10 years. In 2001, according to the National Clandestine Laboratory Database, there were 8,290 methamphetamine lab seizures. From 1999 to 2004, the number of seizures in total actually declined, but seizures dramatically increased in midwestern states.

Chemical Hazards During Synthesis

There are numerous formulas used to synthesize methamphetamine. Most processes are dependant on availability of mass chemicals. Because the structures of ephedrine and methamphetamine are very related, a lot of recipes are fashioned to take out a bound oxygen and hydrogen atom from the ephedrine and replace it with hydrogen. [1]

Was this place a meth lab? Occasionally the evidence is glaring. Sometimes it's not. Meth labs might be concealed behind false walls. You may observe modifications that seem strange such as exhaust fans mounted where they have no rational use or bootlegged power supply. The following list gives more obvious meth lab signs:

Yellow stains on walls, drains, sinks and showers
Blue discolorations on valves of propane tanks and fire extinguishers
Smoke detectors that are removed or taped off
Experiencing physical symptoms when inside the house, such as burning in your eyes or throat, itching, a metallic taste in your mouth and breathing problems
Odd strong odors that smell like materials from a garage, such as solvent and paint thinner, cat urine or ammonia the use of security cameras and surveillance equipment.

Even if the owner disclosed prior drug use or even a clean up you should have the home tested for traces of drugs. The dangers aren't worth the risk. The chemicals used to manufacture elicit drugs can saturate the walls, get in the carpet and household contents such as furniture. Lead and mercury are common by-products detected in the meth residue. Health experts say effects from exposure to meth residue can include skin and eye irritation, rash, headaches, respiratory problems, dizziness, loss of coordination, damage to liver, kidney and central nervous systems. Little is known about the long term effects on health.

Safety is extremely important. Suitable respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment are central factors in reducing the risk of adverse health affects for personnel going into and cleaning up methamphetamine laboratories. Surface contaminants in illicit labs and the surrounding area can be significant. The entire area of an illicit methamphetamine laboratory should be considered significantly contaminated with the drug itself. One study accounted wipe sample concentrations as high as 16,000 micrograms per 100 square centimeters (µg/100cm²).

So, what about those "do-it-yourself" wipe tests that you can buy online? NOT recommended for several reasons. First and foremost is safety. It's not recommended that ANYONE set foot inside a potentially contaminated property unless trained and certified by OSHA in Hazardous Materials handling. Our technicians wear full level C PPE the entire time that they are on the premises of a potential meth lab. In addition, any results you obtain will be unscientific and not legally defensible. Finally, those tests for the most part will give you only a +/- for the presence of the meth molecule and will tell you nothing as to the levels of meth that are present.

A positive test may occur in places where meth has been used, as well as manufactured. This test is for the actual residue of the drug alone. It does not screen for chemicals used in the fabrication or those that are produced in the process. A positive test tells you simply to proceed with caution and doesn't really help to paint a picture as to what needs to be done to resolve the problem.

This is serious business and it's important that you bring in someone that is qualified to handle this for you. Half measures and quick fixes are not going to bring you peace of mind, safety and the ever important legally defensible documentation that you have a professionally remediated structure that is clean and ready to be occupied.

[1] Source - Occupational & Health Administration, "Coping With Meth Hazards", 11/01/2006.

Meth labs are no longer restricted to the rural areas of America. They have now infiltrated suburbia. Meth cooks are capitalizing on the kind and harmless "image" suburbs provide and using them as a means of screening their dangerous and illegal operations.

Imagine an environmental catastrophe waiting to materialize in your rental property - a cooking procedure utilizing corrosive and flammable elements, that at some phases produces the same gas used in concentration camps, producing an odorous reaction of chemicals and toxic fumes, brewed by people who normally don't have chemistry degrees...and you have the typical meth lab.

The meth lab is more dangerous than any legal laboratory or chemical manufacturing plant. Meth labs have been defined as an "explosion waiting to happen." In fact, 25%-30% of all labs exposed in the U.S. are detected as a result of fire or explosion. A clandestine (secret) meth lab will likely have hazardous, flammable chemicals stashed away in every type of container imaginable--in closets, under stairways, under tables or even out in the open. Little of the glassware and equipment will be acceptable laboratory materials. Most will be improvised using casserole dishes, CorningWare, crock pots, etc.; Parts may be cracked and have jagged edges, sometimes covered with duct tape. Heaters, ovens or power strips could have frayed or exposed wires. Also, the gases produced by the operation are highly flammable, made worse by the fact that labs are commonly concealed in a closed off room or a basement. A pilot light on your gas water heater could ignite the entire property. More importantly, a majority of the people operating these suburban meth labs don't own the property, they rent.

The After Effects of a Meth Lab on Your Property
There's little known about the health effects of long-term exposure to contaminants left behind by previous methamphetamine labs. Property owners are advised to exercise extreme caution and use the safest possible cleaning practices in dealing with a former meth lab property. There are company's that specialize in this type of clean up who will even provide a certificate of decontamination at conclusion of the cleanup process.
When drug users, dealers, or manufacturers live in or operate out of rental properties, neighborhoods suffer - and landlords pay a steep price. If the unit has been used as a meth fabricating lab, the decontamination cost alone is high, averaging $10,000-$15,000 for a 1200-square-foot home.

After a lab has been shut down, your property typically still is contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Residues of methamphetamine and other chemicals left over at a former meth lab are a concern for people who later occupy the property. For this reason, local health departments may get involved and thoroughly evaluate the property for hazards before permitting it to be re-inhabited, particularly if by children. Long and short term health effects include liver and kidney damage, neurological problems and increased cancer risks, even for people residing in former lab sites.

When a meth lab is detected in a multiple-unit dwelling, neighbors might be worried about their exposure to hazardous chemicals while the lab was still operational. Neighbors danger for exposure is generally very low, but it's important to address any nearby residents concerns.

But there are also other profound costs that a landlord can incur as a consequence of meth activity on the premises. How tenants' meth use impacts rental properties and landlords:

• Methamphetamine attracts criminal activity - gang-related activities such as vandalism and violence
• Property values decline, especially once the activity drives the neighborhood to get a bad reputation
• Property damage results from tenant misuse and neglect, from retaliation, from fire, or from police busts
• Civil penalties could be imposed, including the forced temporary closure or even seizure of the property
• Rental income is forfeited during the eviction and repair periods
• Good renters may move out because of meth-related troubles, resulting in lost rental income
• Feelings of bitterness and anger damage relationships between neighbors and property managers
• Being forced to address with dangerous and threatening tenants generates fear and frustration

Signs of meth activity at a rental property:
Landlords might observe behavior in renters that suggests potential meth or other drug use and, possibly, drug dealing:

• Failure to pay rent or utility bills
• Failure to keep the house in good condition

A combination of the indicators below may be significant.
Vehicle traffic and automobiles

• Expensive vehicles that seem out of place for the area
• Regular car switching, particularly at unusual hours:
• people arrive in one car and leave in another
• Vehicles stopping for short stays - fewer than 20 minutes
• Regular late-night deliveries
• Considerable increase in vehicular traffic
• Suspicious vehicles: clean license plates on a dirty car, damage consistent with the car being a stolen vehicle

Foot traffic

• People parking away from the premises and walking in
• Ungroomed, disoriented visitors or neighbors
• People taking in tools, electronics, or other items that might be used to sell or trade for drugs

Change in property conditions

• Collections of garbage or junk
• Deterioration of the premises or yard
• Disassembling of vehicles or machinery (frequently the high gives meth users the energy to begin projects, but they lack the ability to focus enough to complete them)

Residents' appearance and behavior

• Ungroomed, dirty appearance
• Children show signs of abuse or disregard
• Pets are uncared-for, neglected
• Occupant is awake for days at a time
• Occupant sleeps for days at a time
• There's frequent partying in the dwelling
• There are a lot of young visitors, even when the residents do not have children in the same age group as the visitors

Surroundings

• Increased crime in the neighborhood, particularly crimes of opportunity like vehicle thefts and burglaries
• Other neighbors displaying strange behavior - hanging out at the drug house or defending the occupants, for instance

Steps you can take to prevent meth at your property:

• Show tenants that you are partnering with local law enforcement by displaying their decals
• Conduct background checks on renters. Check references, credit histories, and, if you get the required approval, criminal background
• Inspect your property on a regular basis
• Encourage tenants and others in the community to be mindful of suspicious individuals and activities
• Encourage nearby residents to alert you to any worries that they have

How can a meth lab be cleaned up?
Property owners are responsible for proper cleanup and costs. Owners who choose to clean buildings on their own ought to be aware that household building materials and furniture may absorb contaminants and, in some cases, emit toxic fumes. Private cleanup contractors can and should be hired to conduct safe meth lab testing and decontamination of any property known or suspected to have been a meth lab.

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

By Sarika Kabra
There are literally countless well known, even well loved celebrities, who are very much in the public eye, who have undergone an alcohol rehab program. While some have managed to kick the habit successfully with their alcohol addiction rehab, others have gone on to relapse, some more than once and have been on a rollercoaster ride, staying on and falling off the wagon.

Whether the celebrities were able to put the alcohol abuse rehab program to the best use and stay sober or whether they relapsed, their very public struggle with alcohol abuse has given hope, guidance and courage to many others to face their problems and fight to save their lives.

The list of celebs with abuse problems, who have seen the inside of an alcohol addiction rehab center is very long; names such as these are only a small sample of the individuals that have graced these lists from time to time: actors like Robin Williams, Robert Downey Jr., Ben Affleck, Samuel L Jackson, Patrick Swayze, Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder, Demi Moore, Elizabeth Taylor, Colin Farrel, Kiefer Sutherland, Melanie Griffith, Drew Barrymore, Kate Moss, Mel Gibson, Matthew Perry, Charlie Sheen and others have been in rehab at least once for some or other form of substance abuse.

Musicians and / or singers like Michael Jackson, Eminem, Boy George, Jonny Cash, Kurt Cobain, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Eddie Van Halen, Liza Minneli, Ozzy Osborne, David Bowie have all also battled substance addiction and have, at some point been in a drug alcohol rehab program to kick their addiction. Even famous athletes such as Mike Tyson has been in rehab and even people such as Dick Cheney, who has held high office for this country.

There is much that others can learn from the celebrities who have either deliberately or inadvertently shared their struggles with the rest of the populace. For one these very public battles with substance abuse can help individuals recognize that they have in fact got a problem. Knowing for instance that Eddie Van Halen's substance dependence was making it impossible for him to proceed with long tours and performances can help people recognize how addiction can affect a person's livelihood and life. Robert Downey Jr.'s many addiction, several arrests and badly derailed career in spite of being a tremendously talented actor is a salutary lesson about how an addiction can take over a person's life and destroy it.

It can help someone who is in denial and help them identify and admit to the problem which is the first step in the journey to correction. What others can take heart from is that celebs, who have a lot of public and other pressure on them often undergo a heroic struggle with their demons and their addictions and emerge victorious; these are success stories, the like of which can give great encouragement and support to others.
Lastly, celebrity alcohol addiction rehab have help people over the shame that they may feel in admitting to their problems. If a much admired celebrity can admit to a frailty of the magnitude of this addiction, then surely it can give many others the courage to do the same.

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

Crystal meth use is of growing concern nationwide as the latest statistics shows that more young people across the nation have becoming dependant on this drug. It once dominated the streets in the western states in the early 60's, has once again began to make its mark across the United States. It was isolated in Midwest but due to the fact that it is easy to manufacture, using readily accessible over the counter ingredients and its cheap value the market for meth is now nationwide.

It has, within a short period of time, became the most common drug of abused, second to cocaine.
There are many sources of information on crystal meth available online, in school libraries, social clubs, on the negative affects it has on the human mind and body. Like unsafe sex and other explicit behavior that should be avoided, meth use has still been domineering.


While they may have similar effects, crystal meth has more long lasting effects and far more toxic to the body than pure methamphetamines. Meth is used clinically for attention deficit disorder and obesity. Young girls are drawn more to meth because of its appetite suppression effects. The misuse of the drug and overdosing exposes them to that euphoric feeling that associates with meth use, and after a while they become "hooked". Yes, meth may help you lose weight and to keep you alert but due to its negative effects, it pays not to use the drug.

While some may argue that the information on crystal meth available to young people may be the contributing reason for the surge in meth use, others argue that it is important that young people know all the facts about meth, both positive and negative. There is adequate amount of information on crystal meth available in all media forms; however this information alone is not enough to curb this growing addiction.

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