Meth Statistics -­‐
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that there are 24.7 million users of amphetamine stimulants worldwide -­‐
In 2012, a Monitoring the Future (MTF) study indicated that 1.7 percent of 12th-­‐graders had tried methamphetamine -­‐
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The US government estimated in 2008 that 13 million people over the age of 12 have tried methamphetamine, and nearly 530,000 of those people use it regularly Common street names for meth include crank, glass, speed, and ice Find treatment near you: 1-­‐877-­‐822-­‐7504 Visit us at: ALLTREATMENT.com Facebook.com/AllTreatment Twitter.com/AllTreatment This brochure is not intended as a substitute for your health care professional’s opinion or care Methamphetamine Addiction Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment What is methamphetamine? Methamphetamine is an intensely addictive psychoactive stimulant, a toxic combination of chemicals from over-­‐the-­‐counter cold medicine and everyday substances like battery acid and antifreeze. The drug is typically smoked, snorted, or injected. It is ranked as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which indicates that the user has a high chance of abusing it and becoming addicted. Pharmaceutical methamphetamine is infrequently prescribed to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, and severe obesity, but in the US, it is usually produced illegally in home-­‐based meth labs. Effects of Meth A high on meth can be described as “feeling invincible”: feelings of euphoria and manic energy. It also increases nervousness and irritability, which can lead to extreme paranoia and sleep deprivation. Short-­‐term effects of meth use include: -­‐
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Increased alertness Increased heart rate Auditory hallucinations Extreme rise in body temperature Uncontrollable movements Loss of appetite Anxiousness False sense of confidence/wellbeing Long-­‐term effects of meth use include: -­‐
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Possible brain damage Permanent psychological problems Malnutrition Behavior that mirrors paranoid schizophrenia Kidney, lung, and liver damage Signs of Addiction Methamphetamine is not as frequently abused as other drugs, such as alcohol and prescription medications, but it is extremely destructive (both physically and psychologically). If you believe that someone you know may be addicted to meth, look for the following signs: -­‐ Violent and aggressive behavior -­‐ Nervousness, irritability, and paranoia -­‐ Hyperactivity, twitching -­‐ Insomnia -­‐ Weight loss -­‐ Rotting teeth, acne, and skin sores Treatment Meth addiction is not easy to overcome. But, with the help of an addiction specialist, recovery is absolutely possible. Inpatient facilities, outpatient programs, counseling services, and detox centers are available nationwide that cater specifically to meth addiction. Find your path to recovery at www.AllTreatment.com.