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Jeremy Davis
Drugs, Behaviors, and Modern Society
Research Paper
11/2/2014
Methamphetamine
Crystal meth or methamphetamine, is a colorless crystal like substance also known
on the streets as Ice, or Glass. It is a powerful synthetic stimulant that is highly addictive. It
is odorless and bitter-tasting. Meth will also dissolve easily in water. Crystal meth
resembles shiny blue or white rocks or fragments of glass varying in size. Other colors of
powder have been observed, including brown, yellow-gray, orange, and even Pink.
Methamphetamine can be used in many different ways. It is most commonly smoked
in a glass pipe or injected, but it can be snorted and swallowed some people may also insert
it into his/her anise or urethra (much less common).
When Meth is Injected, or used IV the energy surge produced can drive a person to
stay awake for days and often turn a one-time injection into a methamphetamine binge. As
with other drugs, shooting up meth provides a faster and more intense high than snorting
or smoking it. There is a greater risk when injecting meth than any other method of use.
People who inject meth are at risk for infections at the injection sight, skin rashes and
scarring known as track marks. Drug addicts in general dont stop and think about the
harmful consequences, so many IV drug users shear needles and spread blood diseases.

Over time, drug cravings mixed with the desire to maintain the high turn into a bad
addiction. The users brain and body start to become tolerant for the drug and then more
and more is needed to satisfy the bodys cravings.
Methamphetamine is often an addicts drug of choice because it has a long-lasting
euphoric effect much longer than cocaine will produce for the user. Depending on how
methamphetamine (meth) is used the sense of euphoria can last the user up to 12 hours.
Methamphetamine gives the euphoric feeling to the user by increasing the amount of
neurotransmitter dopamine, it gives the feeling of motivation, and euphoric experience.
Because of this methamphetamine can easily lead to addiction, characterized by
compulsive drug seeking and use.
Methamphetamine can make long term changes on the brain, changes that will last
sometimes years after use of meth has stopped. But it has been found that it is possible to
reverse those changes after a long time of abstinence.
There are many physical effects of methamphetamine. Lack of appetite,
Arrhythmias, Dilated Pupils, Dry Mouth, Hyperactivity, Insomnia, Restlessness, Twitching.
There are many psychological effects of methamphetamine. Including but not only
Aggressiveness, Alertness, Anxiety, Delusions of grandiosity, sense of power, sensation of
invincibility, compulsive skin-picking, Hallucinations, Increased Energy, Enhanced sexual
desire, increased self-Esteem, psychosomatic disorders, repetitive and obsessive behaviors,
paranoia

There are many uses for medical & Pharmaceutical Methamphetamine, and are still
legal but only infrequently prescribed. This amphetamine goes by the names of Adderall &
Ritalin, it is prescribed legally to help treat narcolepsy, ADHD, fatigue and depression, as
well as sever obesity. You will not see it be prescribed to enhance productivity or
wakefulness but is commonly used that way.

http://www.crystalmethaddiction.org/Injecting_Meth.htm
http://www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/methamphetamine-facts
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine