Quit Crystal Meth with Laser Therapy Treatment

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What is crystal meth?

Crystal meth (methamphetamine) belongs to a group called amphetamines, which are stimulants.

Crystal meth is also called: crank, speed, meth, ice, or glass. The effects are long-lasting, many users will binge and stay awake for days on end; these potent stimulant effects are the reasons the drug is often labeled as a "club drug."

Crystal meth can be a transparent white powder, which can be snorted, smoked in a pipe or a light bulb, or dissolved into a liquid to be injected.

Crystal meth is a solid form of the drug that resembles glass shards or crystals.

What does crystal meth do to the body?

By stimulating your brain and nervous system, meth makes you feel confident, energetic and happy. These effects usually result in an increased activity and decreased appetite. The effects of meth can last for several hours.

What are the short-term effects of crystal meth?

  • Endless energy
  • Increased breathing rate
  • Increased body temperature
  • Restlessness
  • Shakiness
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Delusions
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Anger
  • Massive sores all over body
  • "Meth mouth," missing teeth, rotting gums, decaying teeth
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Depression
  • Seizures
  • Heart attack
  • Convulsions
  • Stroke
  • Suicidal tendencies
  • Overdose
  • Death

What are the long-term effects of crystal meth?

  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Violence
  • Confusion
  • Paranoia
  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations in sight and sounds
  • Massive sores all over body
  • "Meth mouth," missing teeth, rotting gums, decaying teeth
  • Overdose
  • Sharing needles increases chances of contracting deadly infections
  • HIV
  • Brain damage - similar to the damage that is caused by Stroke or Alzheimer's disease
  • Death

What are the risks?

Using crystal meth increases your chance of having unprotected sex through reduced inhibitions. Using meth by sharing needles increases your risk of blood borne diseases such as: hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS.

If you use crystal meth the strength of the drug is unknown so overdoses are common. An overdose can lead to convulsions, respiratory and circulatory collapse, coma, and death.

Addiction to crystal meth

Meth is a powerful, highly addictive drug. The highs are intense. The lows are so deep that users need to continue to use to stay high, thus avoiding the lows and withdrawal. Users build up a tolerance and need more and more of the drug to get the same effect.

People get addicted to meth quickly; stopping is not easy. Some meth users continue to function in society. However, the user's paranoid erratic behavior, loss of memory and inability to focus soon affects friends, family, school and work.

What are the symptoms of crystal meth withdrawal?

  • Craving more crystal meth
  • Cravings for food and sweets
  • Irritability
  • Anger
  • "Drug sickness"
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Exhaustion
  • Sleeping for days
  • The "Crash" can only go away by taking more meth
  • Dilated pupils
  • Discoloured skin, or pale skin
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts

Resources

Photo Credit: Crystal Meth Society of BC

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