Crystal Meth Addiction - A Modern Problem

The addiction to Crystal Methamphetamine, also known as crank, ice and glass, is at an all time high.

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People of every age and in every walk of life, from children to adults, are experiencing the high that comes with the use of this dangerous drug.

Unfortunately, they must also experience the horror of the side affects that comes along with it.

Usually, when someone begins to use Crystal Meth, it's just a once-in-a-while thing for fun, mostly used when partying with friends.

Then, it starts to become more and more frequent and before you know what is happening, you're hooked. It's not just because you want it, or like it, it's because you need it.

Eventually, you can't get through the day without it; that's because Crystal Meth is highly addictive and extremely dangerous.

The use of this drug has many side effects which can be devastating both mentally and physically. Anyone taking Crystal Meth are very likely to suffer short- term affects including loss of appetite, insomnia, mood swings, and erratic, violent behavior.

Some have had hallucinations; you may start to see and hear things that aren't really there, or begin to feel insects crawling all over your skin.

No matter what you do, you can't make them go away. You may also exhibit signs of paranoia and have psychotic episodes. Then too, some crystal meth users even become suicidal.

From 1999 to 2000, emergency department mentions of prescription drugs containing oxycodone increased 68%(from 6,429 to 10,825), and mentions of drugs containing hydrocodone increased 31% (from 14,639 to 19,221).

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Crystal Meth can also cause irreversible, long term, physical affects such as heart and blood pressure problems, and can cause damage to blood vessels leading to the brain. This can lead to a stroke, convulsions and quite possibly death.

The more of this drug you put into your system, the more your body becomes accustomed to it and the more you will need to have the desired high.

According to one study, more men than women had experienced taking more than one drug at a time. 52% of men vs. 36% of women who had taken drugs had taken more than one type of drug.

image: person breaking pencil from stress of addiction

Drugs are one of the leading causes of birth defects, and Crystal Meth is no exception. Premature birth, underweight newborns and even deformities have been linked to mothers who used crystal methamphetamine while pregnant.

There is help for those who want to kick this deadly habit and get their life back. There are agencies such as Crystal Meth Anonymous that have helped many addicts to rid themselves of the poison that has taken control of their lives. With their 12-step program, they teach you how to take it one day at a time.

In many instances, people abuse drugs or alcohol in order to have "fun" or to get a "buzz." Many people, in fact, report that having a few drinks makes them feel more comfortable in social situations. The danger, however, is this: repeated alcohol or drug abuse can result in addiction.

image: businessman in misery from drug abuse

All the group's people work together to help heal each other, with the help of sponsors that have worked through the same problem of addiction, and know how to support each other.

They don't judge anyone needing help either, since as former addicts, they know what precisely what you're going through. You can also search the Internet for other programs that are available to help you reclaim your life. After all, what have you got to lose especially, when you consider the alternative?

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

Research shows that many teens apparently do not comprehend the risks involved in driving while under the influence of illicit drugs such as marijuana.

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In recent years, drugs other than alcohol that act on the brain have increasingly been recognized as hazards to road traffic safety. Research examining these drugs indicates that marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims. A variety of other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines, have also been reported in fatal and nonfatal motor vehicle crashes.

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