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Deconstructing Meth

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When it comes to drugs that are as addictive as they are destructive, methamphetamine (aka meth) has few rivals. It works by releasing a rush of dopamine into the body, which causes an intense euphoric high for the user. The aftermath of meth use is an exhausted body and a brain depleted of dopamine. Over time, the effects of the drug can be devastating – perhaps unsurprising, however, given the cocktail of potentially dangerous chemicals that go into every batch of meth produced. Many are profoundly toxic and belong nowhere near your body.

We examined the various ingredients commonly found in meth and researched their symptoms and side effects. Take a look at the scary results.

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As anyone who has seen the Emmy-winning TV series “Breaking Bad” knows, the ingredients that go into meth are difficult to obtain and dangerous to handle. The breakdown of ingredients commonly found in the drug is almost too absurd to believe: Lithium, paint thinner, antifreeze, and kerosene are all present and are known to have dozens of dangerous side effects.

It’s hard to imagine why anyone would consciously ingest these substances. Perhaps that’s what makes meth so dangerous: The inconspicuous crystals that make up the drug present no signs of the deadly ingredients from which it is made. Once a person is addicted to meth, it is extremely difficult to stop using, even after becoming aware of the contents.

Awareness of what goes into the drug and what it can do to the human body is vital in preventing the use and abuse of meth. Ingredients such as battery acid, for example, can cause difficulty breathing and can cause a person to begin coughing up blood. Antifreeze and anhydrous ammonia can cause blindness, which may be permanent. Most ingredients are also potentially deadly, such as red phosphorous or Epsom salt. Yet despite the health risks associated with its ingredients, meth is still produced and used in this country every day.

The severity of the effects of methamphetamine and its chemical contaminants should scare anyone off. That individuals caught in a cycle of compulsive methamphetamine abuse continue to use it – despite knowing the ingredients – is convincing testament to the strength of the addiction. Don’t let a meth dependency continue to compromise your health and wellbeing. Substance abuse treatment can provide a way out – call 1-855-403-8708 for more information.

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What happens when someone ignores the risks associated with meth use and begins using the drug? The physical effects that result are severe. Meth addicts often bear ghastly signs of their addiction in the form of tooth loss, hair loss, and open sores on the body. These telltale signs of the abuse are devastating to witness. The damage isn’t limited to the exterior of the body by any means, however. Meth puts tremendous stress on the internal organs, which results in high blood pressure and liver damage. Other potentially fatal reactions include extreme rises in core temperature and tachycardia, during which the heart beats at a much faster rate than normal.

Meth abuse dominates the lives of the addicted. The degradation to the body is simple for outsiders to spot, but it may be ignored by those who cannot stop using, as the need to get high can increasingly outweigh any other considerations.

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A look at ER visit records reveals the severe health problems meth causes. Data compiled from 2004 to 2011 (the most recent available) shows meth-related incidents topping 100,000 in some years. A decrease in the number of visits was realized in the mid 2000s, but recent years once again demonstrate a rapid rise toward the previous high in 2004. The trend is worrisome for everyone involved, especially those in the medical field. Hospitals have recently taken steps to try to intervene in users’ lives in an attempt to educate about the dangers of meth use and help curb its use. The effectiveness of these efforts may not be known for some time, and additional outreach is as important as ever.

The dangers of meth are well documented for anyone who would take the time to investigate. Yet despite all of the public warnings – if not the overtly frightening physical signs in those already hooked on the drug – meth use continues to thrive today. With a laundry list of dangerous ingredients, as well as its clearly debilitating physical and mental health effects, those with any exposure to meth (let alone a full-blown addiction) would be well advised to seek medical attention. If this situation describes yourself or that of someone close to you, help is available – visit our website at Addiction-Treatment.com or call, 24 hours a day at 1-855-403-8708 to peruse our addiction treatment information or be connected to someone who can help with methamphetamine treatment and recovery resources in your area.

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