Crystal Meth and Addiction

Crystal meth and tik is the slang name for the popular version of a drug range known as methamphetamines. Crystal meth comes in odourless, bitter tasting crystals, similar to coarse salt. It is usually white or translucent blue, but comes in other colours too. It is absorbed by “snorting”, smoking, injecting it with a syringe or taking it orally (it dissolves easily in water or alcohol). It has many street names – Meth, crank, chalk, ice, glass and speed are some of the most common.

Addiction can be beaten. Highly effective methamphetamine rehabilitation programmes by Recovery Direct – South Africa.

What is Crystal Meth?

Crystal meth a very dangerous and powerful chemical. There is some medical use for it, but it is rarely applied by the medical profession (and this is closely regulated by authorities), due to the severe risk involved.

The first experience with crystal meths feels rewarding, but it starts destroying your life right from the start. In this, it differs from other drugs, because the idea of “trying it just once” often fails, as immediate dependency can occur.

Crystal meth is highly concentrated, and some users have reported that they became dependent on it immediately after the first time they took it. It creates a devastating dependence that can only be “fixed” by taking more of the drug.

Users develop an urgent desire to continue using it, because  of the false sense of happiness and wellbeing that it creates and the quick onset of withdrawal symptoms after the first “high”. The euphoric effects usually last for six to eight hours, but can last much longer, depending on the volume consumed and the user’s level of tolerancy.

Crystal meths give a sense of self-confidence, strength, euphoria, alertness, being “alive”, increased energy. There is increased communication and increased sexual desire. Awareness of fatigue, hunger, thirst and pain are diminished.

The hyperactivity lasts for hours. Afterwards, the user is very tired. After a rest they feel a need for more drugs to recover from the after effects. There are also other consequences that trigger an almost immediate dependency.

Frequent use is accompanied by a “creeping” loss in the drug’s effectiveness, which leads to the user increasing the dosage to achieve the original effect. Long term use is devastating – some consequences are listed below.

Consequences to using meth

• Kidney/renal damage
• Dehydration
• Increased body temperature
• Itching and skin infections
• Jaw clenching and tooth grinding
• Stomach pain and stomach ulcers
• Excitation and sleep disorders
• Paranoid delusions
• Acoustic (audible) hallucinations
• Aggression
• Neurotoxicity
• Brain haemorrhaging
• Emaciation, anorexia
• Weakening of immune system
• Decay of mucous membranes in mouth and nose
• Tooth decay and gum disease (“meth-mouth”)
• Exposure to diseases
• Concentration and memory disorders
• Anxiety, depression and psychoses
• Suicidal tendencies
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Risk of stroke, heart attack

Crystal meth is one of the hardest drug addictions to overcome and many users die without professional help.

The real risks of experimentation

• Consumption causes rapid dependency.
• Increased tolerance and subsequent dose increases are common.
• It causes multiple, severe short and long term physical and emotional defects.
• Overdosing can lead to sudden death.
• The risks are multiplied by the stealthy production and retail processes. Dangerous bulking materials (“fillers”) are added during manufacturing and distribution. Retail and usage operations are conducted in unsafe environments.

Immediate effects of meth

• Increased alertness
• Intense happiness
• Increased activity/restlessness
• Increased self-esteem
• Increased urge to talk
• Increased sex drive
• Reduced sensation of pain
• Increased body temperature
• Low sense of hunger and thirst
• Immediate need for more when effect wears off

Some of these conditions can result in death, some even sudden death. Apart from the above, there are indirect consequences, such as exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, loss of employment, damaged relationships, ruined reputation, financial ruin, legal prosecution and other destructive outcomes.

A confidential phone call is all it takes.

There are various, proven treatment processes available to deal with all aspects of methamphetamine addiction, including the underlying causes that triggered it in the first place, as well as ways and means to resume a normal and happy life after treatment. Our trained therapists can provide advice or arrange for a confidential, personal consultation.