Methamphetamine

A Stimulant

How it Works:

• Increases the amount of dopamine in the brain
• dopamine is involved with reward, motivation, experience of pleasure, and motor function
• This is what creates a “rush” or “flash” that some users experience

Physically Addictive

• Meth physically changes where the decision is made to take meth from the frontal lobe to the hindbrain
• Can be addictive after only two uses
• It can take two years for the brain to switch back
• It is one of the hardest drugs to quit

Psychologically Addictive

• Meth is also psychologically addictive because dopamine is a chemical that releases good feelings in your brain
• Meth stimulates the most dopamine of any drug, this makes it extremely psychologically addictive

Consciousness

Short Term Effects

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• Increased alertness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Insomnia
• Pleasurable feelings, euphoria
• Psychosis (contact is lost with external reality)

Long Term Effects

• Paranoia
• Amphetamine Psychosis (hallucinations)
• Lost perception of any of the five senses: (Auditory, Visual, Olfactory, Tactile, Gustatory)
• Depression
• Anxiety

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Effects on Behavior (Short Term)

-very high release level of dopamine

-increased attention

-increase wakefulness and activity

-loss of appetite

-disturbed sleep patterns

-irritability

-insomnia

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Effects on Behavior (Long Term)

-memory loss

-mood swings

-respiratory problems if smoked

-depression

-violent behavior

-anxiety

-addiction

-disorientation/apathy/confused exhaustion

Physical Effects

Short Term

• Decrease in fatigue and stamina
• Increase in activity and wakefulness
• Rapid/irregular heartbeat and blood pressure
• Increase in body temperature which may
• Convulsions, seizures and death from high doses
• Panic and psychosis
• Decreased appetite
• Hyperthermia
• Nausea
• Excessive talking
• Jerky and erratic movement

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Physical Effects

Long Term

• Strong psychological dependence
• Breathing problems if smoked
• Liver, kidney and lung damage
• Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain
• High blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
• Severe tooth decay (Meth Mouth)
• Infectious diseases if injected
• Malnutrition, weight loss
• Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
• Disorientation
• Hair loss
• Skin Crawling (thinking that their skin is moving) and Skin picking
• Feeling threatened and feeling watch.

Bibliography

"Why Is Meth so Addictive." Merced Sun-Star. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/crime/article3239864.html>.

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"DrugFacts: Methamphetimine." National Institute on Drug Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine>.

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"Altering Consciousness with Drugs." Inkling. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

<https://www.inkling.com/read/psychology-gregory-feist-erika-rosenberg-2nd/chapter-6/

altering-consciousness-with>.

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"What Is Methamphetamine?" Foundation for a Drug Free World. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth.html>.

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Bibliography (Continued)

"Short and Long Term Effects of Methamphetamine." Foundation for a Drug Free World. N.p., n.d. Web.

12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/

the-deadly-effects-of-meth.html>.

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"How Meth Destroys the Body." Frontline. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/

pages/frontline/meth/body/>.

http://www.memes.com/img/130913

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"What Are the Immediate (Short-Term) Effects of Methamphetamine Abuse?" National Insitute of Drug

Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/

research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-methamphetamine-abuse>.

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"Methamphetamine Psychosis." Rnceus. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.rnceus.com/meth/

methpsych.html>.

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Bibliography for Pictures

http://www.memes.com/img/130913

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http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/methamphetamine-meth.html

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http://hswquietbutdeadly.wikispaces.com/file/view/preview_600_275.jpg/103763635/preview_600_275.jpg

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http://awarenesofmeth.weebly.com