Meth Addiction Research Paper

Methamphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that has long lasting affecting consequences on ones body if used. In the United States more than 26 million people have been recorded using methamphetamine, and the majority of these users are teenagers. Methamphetamine, which is also known as meth is a man made substance. Meth comes in the form of a rock like crystal (not the kind you wear on your finger) that is usually a white transparent or blue in color. This substance demonstrates no purpose other than addiction. Addiction is a relapsing disease; characterized by compulsive drug seeking, and accompanied by functional changes in the brain. People that are common users of crystal meth seek a long lasting high …show more content…
After the first encounter with the drug, users can quickly find themselves chasing the substance over and over again. The “feeling of euphoria, well being, and alertness as well as libido and decreased appetite” gives meth the slogan known as a useless quest (Neurosci, 2006). Majority of meth addictions begin with using the drug because it provides pleasure. In reality the drug provides nothing but a nightmare. Long term use of methamphetamine demonstrates destruction of the body’s dopamine receptors, and the ability to experience pleasure. Heavy long term use of meth can lead to behavior including; paranoia, delusion, and aggression. Multiple meth addicts have reported a crawling like feeling under their skin while under the influence of the drug. Meth users become far more aggressive under the influence. This can lead to issues during personal relationships, as well as legal relationships. Homelessness is a big issue in the meth world. Rent and other bills are often eschewed at the expense of using. Once meth use increases, the body’s ability to defend it self from various illnesses completely decease. The body’s ability to defend itself is vividly important. Without that ability this can lead to becoming sick more often and other physical consequences including liver damage, heart disease, and stroke. Taken over a long period of time crystal …show more content…
Effects are associated with the biochemical and structural effects on the brain, and significantly how the brain and body begin to function. The production of dopamine during and after meth use causes neuropathological changes in the brain “repeated use of methamphetamine involves the degeneration of dopamine and serotonin axons and termini, located in the fronstostrial region leading to depletion of these monoamines” which causes toxic effects on the cells that store dopamine and serotonin (Petit, 2012). The changes that occur decrease the level of dopamine in the brain, which can cause severe depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that the excess and daily use of meth can show results in an increase of cell death, which tends to have a negative effect on the prefrontal cortex of the

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