Meth Use and Symptoms – What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Methamphetamine Use?
Speed, meth, chalk. In its smoked form, it is often referred to as ice, crystal, crank, or glass. Those are all street names for methamphetamine (mAMP). Call it what you may, but meth use and its symptoms are one in the same. If it’s taken in large doses, methamphetamine’s frequent effects are irritability, aggressive behavior, anxiety, excitement, auditory hallucinations, and paranoia along with delusions and psychosis. Meth abusers tend to be violent. Mood changes are also common, and the abuser can rapidly change from friendly to hostile. The paranoia produced by methamphetamine abuse results in suspiciousness, hyperactive behavior, and dramatic mood swings.
Meth appeals to drug abusers because it increases the body’s metabolism and produces euphoria, increases alertness, and gives the abuser a sense of increased energy. High doses or chronic use of meth, however, increases nervousness, irritability, and paranoia. The extreme paranoia that meth abusers can experience is often associated with a distorted tendency toward violence. Adverse consequences of meth abuse include the risk of stroke, heart failure, and prolonged psychosis.
Methamphetamine use has three patterns: low intensity, binge, and high intensity.
Low-intensity abuse describes a user who is not psychologically addicted to the drug and who administers the drug by swallowing or snorting it. Binge and high-intensity abusers are psychologically addicted and prefer to smoke or inject meth to achieve a faster and stronger high. The binge and high-intensity patterns of abuse differ in the frequency in which the drug is abused. While the binge pattern of abuse has seven stages within its cycle: rush, high, binge, tweaking, crash, normal, and withdrawal-the high-intensity abuse pattern usually does not include a state of normalcy or withdrawal.
“Tweakers”, which are referred to those who are at the most dangerous state of meth abuse, is a meth user who is tweaking. This meth abuser probably has not slept in 3-15 days and, consequently, the symptoms would be irritability and paranoia. A tweaker does not need provocation to behave or react violently, but confrontation increases the chances of a violent reaction. If the tweaker is using alcohol, his negative feelings and associated dangers intensify.
Several hours after the last meth use, the individual experiences a drastic drop in mood and energy levels. Sleep begins and may last for a long period and, upon awakening, severe depression exists that may last for days. While users are in this depressed state, suicide is a major concern. These meth abuse symptoms occur after meth use and may be reversed by taking another dose of methamphetamine, thereby fitting the definition for a withdrawal syndrome.
Now, get out your pen and paper and take notes if you see these short term effects in your teenager or loved one. Short term meth abuse symptoms are increased alertness, sense of well-being, paranoia, intense high, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, increased heart rate, convulsions, extreme rise in body temperature (as high as 108 degrees which can cause brain damage and death), uncontrollable movements (twitching, jerking, etc…), violent behavior, insomnia, impaired speech, dry and itchy skin, premature aging, rotting teeth, loss of appetite, acne, sores and numbness.
Some of the effects that meth abuse has on the mind are also symptoms of meth use. These meth use symptoms are disturbed sleep, excessive excitation, excessive talking, panic, anxiousness, nervousness, moodiness and irritability, false sense of confidence and power, delusions of grandeur leading to aggressive behavior, uninterested in friends, sex, or food, aggressive and violent behavior, and severe depression.
After excessive meth abuse, there are long term effects as well, such as fatal kidney and lung disorders, possible brain damage, depression, hallucinations, disorganized lifestyle, permanent psychological problems, violent and aggressive behavior, weight loss, insomnia, behavior resembling paranoid schizophrenia, decreased social life, malnutrition, poor coping abilities, disturbance of personality development, lowered resistance to illnesses, liver damage, stroke and the inevitable, death.
There are also withdrawal symptoms that a meth abuser will partake in when coming off of meth or “crashing”. If you see the symptoms of severe cravings, insomnia, restlessness,mental confusion or depression, chances are that the meth is exiting their system.
If you have been watching your teenager or loved one and your suspicians are pointing into the direction of meth abuse and you are seeing the symptoms of meth abuse, don’t ignore them. Go with your instincts and in a loving and caring manner, let your teen or loved one know that you will help them seek the counseling they need to rid themselves of meth or any other drug abuse.. If you continue to see the signs and symptoms of meth use, you may either want to take your teen or loved one to his/her doctor or other medical professional and ask them to screen for the use of illegal substances. If you’re not comfortable with revealing your suspicions to an outsider, it is also possible to screen your teenager or loved one in the privacy of your own home with home urine drug testing kits, saliva drug testing kits and hair drug testing kits.
The Causes Of Addiction
There is much debate about the causes of addiction. Because there are two components to addiction –the physical addiction and the psychological addiction– it is likely that many factors create a risk for addiction. In the case of certain drugs such as methamphetamine or heroin, almost any individual who comes into contact will become addicted. On the other hand, addictive behaviors such as shopping or eating are used moderately by the majority of the population and only become addictions for some.
The following risk factors are involved in developing addictions:
Genetics: It is believed that addictions such as alcoholism may be inherited. Individuals from families with a history of alcoholism are more likely to develop the disease themselves. Also, individuals from families with a history of any kind of addiction are more likely to develop some other form of addiction. For example, someone from an alcoholic family may develop a problem with compulsive overeating or workaholism. While environmental factors can also have influence, individuals who have been removed from their alcoholic parents and raised by non addicted individuals still show a higher risk for developing an addiction themselves.
Environment: Children raised by alcoholic or drug addicted parents are more likely to view substance abuse or certain behaviors as acceptable, making them more likely to engage in the addiction themselves. Individuals from countries where use of a certain substance or engagement in an addictive behavior are frowned upon or hard to obtain show a much lower incidence of addiction, pointing to possible environmental factors.
Abuse: Individuals who experienced sexual, psychological, emotional or physical abuse are more likely to become addicts. The addiction becomes a coping mechanism, helping the addict to deal with strong negative emotions surrounding the abuse, feelings of severe low self-esteem, and possible flashbacks.
Emotional Disorders: Emotional disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder often increase the risk of substance abuse and addictive behaviors, especially amongst those who are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Individuals often use drugs, alcohol, food, exercise, or work as a way to self-medicate and escape the symptoms of their primary disorder.
The Substance: Certain substances are more addictive than others, and risk of full-blown addiction is higher for drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine because of their ability to create dependence after just a few uses.
Low Frustration Tolerance: One common factor found amongst addicts of all types is a low frustration tolerance. Addicts are highly susceptible to the negative effects of stress, often experiencing distress at a relatively low level of frustration. They become easily upset over everyday stress factors, creating a need for escape. They find this escape in their addiction.
These are all contributing factors as to why addiction occurs. Overall, there is no absolute solution when dissecting the causes behind addiction. Today, there are many options available to the alcoholic or drug addict who wishes to stop and stay stopped.
Depression and Gambling Addiction
Does gambling addiction cause depression? Or… does depression cause this problem. This is a classic case of what comes first..the chicken or the egg. Having worked as a counselor for 10 years in the mid eighties to early nineties, both illnesses were always separated. I could never understand this because both are so intricately intertwined. How can you separate the two illnesses?
And… how can you really try to figure out which happens first.
Anybody with a gambling problem that has any life consequences is surely going to experience depression.
In the “winning phase”… when the gambler is still winning and in his or her glory, depression will not co-exist. However, once the addiction progresses, and the person begins losing money, going into debt, and experiencing social, emotional,and physical consequences, depression is sure to ensue.
Was the individual with a gambling affliction depressed before? Maybe they could have been depressed before the addiction.. and maybe not. The bottom line is that the person with gambling problems is sure to become severely depressed in direct relationship to the consequences of the gambling behavior.
It is hard to separate gambling and depression because gambling addiction is a lonely, isolating, demoralizing disorder. Depression has the same type of qualities.
Compulsive gambling and the stress and chaos that it causes in one’s life can result in despondency, lack of sleep, hopelessnes, helplessness, loss of self esteem, sadness, and suicidal thoughts. It is very hard to separate gambling addiction and depression. This addiction is a very depressing affliction.
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Drug Use – Advantages and Disadvantages

Rampant, often unchecked use of drugs is a malaise that has been plaguing our society, and especially our younger generation for quite some time. It has grown quickly from a psychological bad malaise, a bad habit to a dangerous social evil, and in many countries, invite strict punitive action. Countries across the world try to combat this evil using combination’s of public awareness regarding the evils of drug use, severe clampdowns on drug usage/trafficking and penal impositions. However, this is still not enough as drug trafficking has proliferated across social strata, and is not limited to isolated groups of the society. So why exactly is drug usage considered to be one of the most debilitating and potentially dangerous of social evils?
One of the most primary reasons why consumption and business dealings on drugs are declared illegal internationally is because of the tremendous damage they cause to the human body. Drugs usually are of two kinds, and act as general nervous stimulants that can almost supercharge the brain and the nervous system for brief amounts of time. For that amount of time, the user has no sense of personal identity and this phase is usually described as a phase of euphoric detachment, while the user loses common consciousness. However, this effect is fleeting and does not last long. Drug-induced euphoria lasts for a very short time, usually culminating in sever hangovers and strains on the human body, which might manifest in physical and psychological reactions.
Drugs are generally hallucinogenic compounds that are primarily of two types, Organic and inorganic. Organic drugs are usually extracted from plants, and processed and consumed usually by burning them like tobacco. Inorganic compounds are much more difficult to obtain, as they are manufactured in pharmaceutical laboratories and are generally available in the form of tablets, pills and fluid solutions. Scientific studies have actually revealed that inorganic drugs/narcotic agents are more life-threatening and potentially debilitating in nature than their organic counterparts, even though prolonged drug use of either could result in serious consequences.
It might be said that drug use is actually dependent on more than one conditions and criterion. There are, in reality, numerous reasons that increase the usage of drugs within a particular demographic cross-section. These reasons could range from social, psychological, economical or just out of biological dependency. One reason why sustained usage of drug is deemed so dangerous to life and health is that it creates a sense of dependency within the user, who feels habituated by the use of drugs. Irrespective of the original stimulus, the consumption of drug becomes the primary objective in these cases, and the user often goes to extreme lengths to maintain the habit of drug use.
Presently, there are widespread efforts to contain if not eradicate drug use within a particular section of the society through governmental as well as non-governmental/individual efforts. General awareness, support groups, supportive rehabilitation centers and clinics that help drug abusers have now become popular, and much sought after to help individuals kick this habit.
How Long Does Opiate Withdrawal Last? – A Beginners Guide

If you are like many people, then you may have to experience opiate withdrawal because of an addiction you gained to opiates from a medical prescription. This is becoming more and more common as more and more people are being prescribed opiates to help them deal with surgeries and illnesses. If you have found that you have become addicted, you are going to have a fight ahead of you, but you will be able to find help. There are doctors, specialists, and clinics that will be able to help you recover and live your normal life again. Still, many people who are facing this challenge do want to know how long does opiate withdrawal last.
How long does opiate withdrawal last? Well, the answers are going to vary. The answer will depend on how long you have been addicted and how strong the opiates are that you have been taking. For the most part, you can expect a basic pattern in terms of how the withdrawal will take place. To begin with, you will experience symptoms that will remind you of the flu, though they will probably be worse. For about a week or so you will have intense headaches and experience nausea and insomnia. This can be very painful and you will need a doctor to help you recover.
When you are asking how long does opiate withdrawal last, you will want to know more than just the time frames. You will also want to think about the stages you are in. During the second week, your flu-like symptoms will remain, and you will also suffer from some brain fog. You may find that you are very irritable and that you are having trouble making clear, level headed decisions. This is why a clinic is important for many people during this stage. In a sense, you need to be protected from yourself in order to get through this time in your life.
Once the flu symptoms were off around the fourth week, you will feel better, but you will have cravings. Some people will report that these cravings are actually worse than the withdrawal itself. In other words, when you ask how long does opiate withdrawal last, you are really asking about a long process that will require you to fight and grow. Once you are back on track and living your life again, you are going to feel better about yourself knowing that you have overcome an addiction.
The Psychology of Addiction
On why addiction is largely a state of the mind so addicts are more addicted to their addiction, the temporary feeling of pleasure, rather than the drugs…
Addiction is primarily psychological although addiction is defined according to the physiological changes in the body, and addiction continues to be considered as a social, cultural, genetic and experiential process as well. Addictive behaviour could be explained as any behaviour that gives temporary or short term pleasure and also provides relief from discomfort although there may be long term adverse effects.
Addiction is generally described as dependence on any drug and results from substance abuse. Any drug or alcohol can produce addiction as can other things such as the internet, gaming, gadgets, chocolates etc. However the physical and psychological effects of drugs and alcohol are detrimental and actually result in loss of productivity, withdrawal and physical dependence and lack of attention and such other conditions. The primary feature of addiction is dependence as an individual shows increased psychological and physiological dependence on the substance he is addicted to and without the addictive substance the person is unable to return to normal life.
Dependence on anything may not be too bad and some amount of social dependence is expected of us as social beings. However when there is excessive dependence with inability to live without the substance in question, then withdrawal symptoms result and there are physiological changes in the body including pain and in some cases medical attention is required. Addiction is an extreme dependence and can cause people to lose sense of reality as people become cripple without the substance they are addicted to. Addiction leads to crime and anti-social behaviour as addicts can resort to violent behaviour, to stealing, to murder simply to attain what they want. Addiction to a substance could be separated from healthy use of the substance such as some amount of alcohol is considered acceptable and healthy in a social setting but being completely dependent on alcohol to that which amounts to addiction can have adverse social and personal implications for the individual. Some of the common addictive drugs and substances are opium, alcohol, nicotine and barbiturates. Giving up any addiction, requires strength and this is largely the strength of the mind that aids in stopping any addictive behaviour. Thus if addiction is a disease, the cure of addiction or even its prevention is largely a psychological process suggesting that the ‘mind’ is responsible for the addiction, the beginning of it and also the end of it.
Using addictive substances stimulate and release the pleasure inducing neurotransmitters in the brain and the dependence on this feeling of pleasure leads to more such pleasure seeking behaviour and this can spiral out of control and doesn’t remain within the control of the individual who then is completely controlled by his addiction rather than the other way round. Withdrawal or abstinence symptoms of an addictive substance could include anxiety, depression, craving, irritability, restlessness or even thoughts of suicide with fatal consequences. Craving, irritability, depression, anxiety are all psychological withdrawal symptoms of addiction although closely related to the physical withdrawal symptoms. So addiction is largely in the mind and if a person wants, he or she can overcome this extreme dependence on an activity or a substance through self control and with better insight into his condition.
Why do people develop addiction?
People who develop addiction are more prone to mental illnesses as addiction has been related to mood or affective disorders, to neurotic illnesses and obsessive disorders, to anxiety disorders and many other psychological problems. Addiction is largely akin to compulsion or the need to repeat any particular behaviour in an abnormal dependent manner and addiction like compulsion is an abnormal dependence. Addicts are obsessed with the substance or objects or activity that they are addicted to and show an abnormal dependence on the substance or activity. Individuals with mood disorders or people prone to frequent depression are prone to addiction as any addictive substance or drug or even activity such as sex that gives short term pleasure can cause the addict to return to this activity or substance again and again so that the depression is forgotten for a while. This need for short term pleasure leads to repeated pleasure seeking behaviour and thus creates addiction.
All human beings are necessarily pleasure seekers, we all like to experience that is good or beautiful or provides a moment of happiness but addicts are in turn addicted to this pleasure as well. In fact addicts are addicted to the pleasure and not to the drugs, which are simply catalysts to provide them this pleasure. The drugs and the objects as also the activities that they repeatedly engage in provide them a solace that they feel they would not find in other options. There are of course chemical changes in the body so there are substantive proofs that addicts do get short term pleasure. Thus a drug addict repeated uses drug because it provides a particular form of pleasure that he will not get by say watching films and a sex addict repeatedly seeks sex because the pleasure from sex according to her may not be found in other activities such as travelling or reading. However this is only a belief that the addict has and is not necessarily true. In fact there is a sort of fixation of want, and an obsession with the object of want so an addict repeatedly thinks about this want and convinces himself that without the addictive substance he will not be able to survive. When love becomes an addiction, it can lead to suicide or fatal consequences when the object of desire is not attained.
Addicts are thus obsessed and largely depressed individuals who sometimes use the obsession against the depression or to overcome the depression. They are socially withdrawn although they may apparently have a huge circle of friends with whom they may not be able to relate at all levels. Addicts are also susceptible to suggestion and they are vulnerable to opinions of other people. Strange that it may sound, it is easy to mould or change addicts and also easy to hypnotize them as they are very impressionable and easily affected by what people and society have to say about them. This weakness of addicts is also their strength as both negative and positive influences can act equally well on addicts and the right guidance would be necessary to show them what is good for them and what is bad.
How is addiction controlled and stopped?
Stopping or overcoming any addiction could be a challenge but as addicts are changeable and affected easily, it may be relatively easy to bring them back to normal life provided they have the right type of guidance and counselling.
One of the strategies that could be used to cure addictive behaviour would be ‘diversion’, providing alternative substances/activities or shifting their attention or interest into something other than the addictive substance or object. As a TV addict could be encouraged to develop more constructive habits of reading for instance.
‘Substitution’ would be another method and a person addicted to alcohol could be encouraged to take a drink that tastes like wine but does not contain alcohol.
‘Eradication’ or complete unavailability of the addictive substance or object can gradually lead to forgetting the pleasure giving substance and interests in other activities. The complete unavailability of a drug, even a sleeping pill can lead to lessening of addiction for that drug and help the addict to develop other interests, although this should not be done abruptly as physiological and psychological symptoms of withdrawal may result. So if someone is addicted to a specific medicine or pill, the doses could be slowly reduced before completely stopping intake of the drug.
Finally ‘suggestion’ or counselling to change behaviour highlighting the bad effects of a drug or an obsessive activity could be effective at a later stage after withdrawal from the drug or activity has been attempted as when in need of any substance, addicts lose all sense of reality and may not even want to listen to advice. So, only when their dependence reduces to an extent with the help of the other methods of substitution, eradication or diversion, counselling could help them to show more reasonable and socially responsible behaviour and prevent further conditions of relapse.
Children Learn From Their Parents
You may have hear the idea that children learn from their parents. Well, it’s true. Children are like little sponges. They absorb everything we tell them. For example, if a parent curses around their child, they shouldn’t be surprised to hear their child repeat the foul word a few days later. The same thinking applies when it comes to drug and alcohol use and abuse.
It is almost a sure fact that a child who grows up in a household where drugs and alcohol are abused will then grow up and become a drug or alcohol addict OR they will turn into physical abusers. This is why it is so important to start now to teach our children the difference between right and wrong. Doing drugs is always a bad thing no matter which way you slice it. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a different story. It is one thing to have the occasional glass of wine with dinner; but when that glass of wine turns into a couple of bottles of wine- or that mixed drink turns into a night of drinking….well, you get the idea.
As our children develop and mature, a child who has grown up in an evironment where drinking and drugs are used freely will most likely see no big deal in using drugs or alchol. However, the child who grows up in a household where his/her parents has sat them down and explained how drugs and alcohol may negatively impact their lives is a lot less likely to get into trouble. It doesn’t always work out this way though. On occasion, you will get a child who has grown up in a household that has abused both drugs and alcohol, and as a result, they swear that they will do everything that they can not to end up like their parents or in a similar situation. Similarly, you occasionally get children who have grown up in nurturing homes free of drugs and alcohol, who will wind up being abusers.
Some would argue that the issue lies in the relationship that parents have with their children. Would a child who trusts their parents and would never want to do anything to disgrace them get involved in drug and/or alcohol abuse? Where do you draw the line? Parents also need to pull double duty by making sure they are aware of who their child is hanging out with at school. I can still remember when I was growing up, how my mother made an effort to get to know every one of my friends and their parents. When I was invited over to sleepovers, I wasn’t allowed to go unless my mother had first met the child’s parents and approved. Perhaps this was just a parent being over protective; but most would simply view it as them being responsible.
As parents, it is your responsibility to encourage your own children to be responsible. And contrary to popular belief, it is never too early to start teaching your child the difference between right and wrong. The sooner we teach our children to be responsible young adults, the sooner we will have a world that is filled with responsible “adults”.
Major Causes of Car Collisions

The prevailing dangers on our roadways are in fact the most dreaded cause of car collisions and accidents that lead to serious injuries and fatalities among the victims.
In fact, in Los Angeles alone, an alarming number of car collision cases have been reported during the last few years resulting to great damages to lives and properties. Thus, no one may declare that he is completely safe from accidents despite his abidance of the traffic rules and other precautionary measures.
Here are some of the major causes of car collisions and accidents:
Driver incompetence – a great number of drivers lack the proper training on road safety. Many of them even defy the traffic regulations such as tail gaiting, over speeding and many more road rules that tend to protect the motorists, including them, from harm.
DUI driving or intoxication – driving a car after drinking liquor excessively is very dangerous for it impair driving capabilities. Thus, the law strictly prohibits the too much intake of alcohol or other illegal substances especially when driving a car.
Distractions – motorists are expected to exercise extreme concentration in driving. However, so many distractions tend to divert their attentions and make their driving too risky. Examples are active discussions with the passengers; improper use of cell phones; loud car stereos and many others.
Heavy rains – weather is also a great factor in a safe road travel. The studies show that many car accidents happen during bad weather conditions – making the road surfaces slippery and affecting clear visibility.
Poor road design – the state has the obligation to make sure that our roadways are properly designed and safe for public use. However, there are times that this responsibility is not taken into account and not strictly administered.
As the government sets up road safety signs and equipment, it should always take into priority that these never, in any cases, would cause any unlikely incidents, which put the lives of many individuals at stake.
Vehicle defects – motorists and car owners should never fail to have an overall check up on the vehicle’s mechanical and technical aspects. Doing these precautions surely lessens the chances of road catastrophes, which are primarily caused by vehicle defects.
Meanwhile, it has been an accepted idea that it is certainly not an assurance or a guarantee that you’re being disciplined and extra careful can refrain you from experiencing and encountering road accidents and disasters.
Yet, the law prescribes that a person who has been injured due to somebody’s neglect can afford to file a personal injury claim and demand for such fitting damages.
