What it does
Meth is like a computer virus. It convinces the user that nothing is wrong. It produces an artificial feeling of well-being and anesthetizes the part of the brain that takes care of day-to-day business. It also numbs painful feelings. Negative feelings return with a vengeance when the drug wears off and the user feels worse. With meth users, their non-using relationships fall by the wayside, and sooner or later their whole social network is made up of other users. The drug becomes the glue that holds the relationships together
Psychological effects
Sense of power / well being
Repetitive behavior
Excessive energy
Talkative
Anxiety
Argumentative
Aggressive / violent
"Crank bugs" (feeling of bugs crawling all over the skin, results in extreme scratching)
Increased sexual desire (initially)
Loss of sexual function
Hallucinations
Paranoia
Instant euphoria
Psychosis
Suicidal / homicidal thoughts
Physical effects
Long periods without sleep
Dilated pupils
Blurred vision
Teeth grinding
Discolored teeth, teeth fall out
Bad breath
Body odor
Open sores on the body / scabs / scars
Grayish skin color
Rapid weight loss
Increased blood pressure and pulse
Heart palpitations
Irreversible damage to brain, liver, lungs
Stroke
Death
Phases of use
• Introductory phase
(Responsibilities of work and school have not yet been affected)
Mood elevation, euphoria, excitation
Appetite suppression
Conversation comes easily
Feel energized, faster, stronger
• Maintenance phase
(Tolerance increases. Family relationships, work, school, finances begin to be affected)
Increase in meth use to recapture the initial experience & avoid depression
Thoughts center increasingly around meth use
Weight loss
Decreased nutrition
• Disenchantment phase
(Negative effects of drug use take hold. Triggers for drug use become
Thoughts continually revolve around drug use
Dramatic increase in meth use (cravings)
Mistrust of people
Heightened sensitivity to sound
Agitation, short-tempered
Aggression, violence
• Disaster phase
(Triggers for drug use are overpowering. Families, homes, and communities are devastated)
Extreme weight loss
Paranoia
Seizures
Severe depression
Unemployment, bankruptcy
Stroke, death
