In 2014, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 4.9 percent of individuals interviewed had used crystal meth in their lifetime, a number that, in 2012, equaled 1.2 million individuals. Of those individuals, the age that they first used crystal meth was between 17 and 22 years of age.
Crystal meth, which the National Institute on Drug Abuse lists as a common nickname for methamphetamine, is a stimulant that is extremely addictive. Methamphetamine is also sometimes used at much lower doses to treat conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The doses used illegally for recreational purposes are much higher and have no medical use. Stimulant medications, however, are regulated by the United States government.
Methamphetamines were first used as an alertness aid for soldiers in World War II, according to an article by The Atlantic. Called pilot’s salt, it was used to keep soldiers awake on very little sleep, as well as to cause euphoria. However, many soldiers experienced negative side effects consistent with those of crystal meth. Many also experienced agitation, impaired judgment, and heart failure.
Crystal meth is sometimes made in home labs and comes in a variety of forms – powder, pills, and a rock formation called ice – and can be taken orally, as well as by smoking, snorting, and injecting the drug. Individuals may combine certain cold medications with other substances to synthesize the drug. When smoked or injected, there is an immediate high, which is then followed by a crash, thus leading to binge-and-crash cycles in which individuals quickly become dependent on the drug.
How Does Crystal Meth Work?
Crystal meth works by changing the brain’s reward center. When crystal meth is used, the brain is flooded with dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. This flood is what produces the individual’s feelings of euphoria, also known as the high. Since it works on the reward center, this quickly changes the brain’s functioning and can lead to dependence.
Some of the physical symptoms that are associated with use of crystal meth – even small amounts, states NIDA – include:
- Rapid or irregular heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Hypertension (increased blood pressure)
- Increased alertness
- Increased ability to concentrate
- Increased energy
- Increased sex drive
- Euphoria
Problems Caused by Long-Term Use
Individuals who have used crystal meth for longer periods of time can experience a multitude of symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Mood disturbances
- Insomnia
- Hostile behavior
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Dental problems
- Extreme weight loss
Long-term use of crystal meth has also been shown to cause changes in the brain that have been associated with problems, such as reduced motor skills and impaired verbal learning. There have also been severe changes noted in areas of the brain that are linked to emotion and memory – changes that can cause many of the problems with emotions and memory that are often seen in individuals who have been using crystal meth for a long period of time. Also, some of these changes can be seen long after individuals have stopped using crystal meth.
If injected, individuals are also at high risk for contracting infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS. Individuals who do not inject may also be at risk, due to participating in unsafe sex as a result of lowered inhibitions from the drug.
Treatment Options
The first step in obtaining treatment for crystal meth dependence is medical detox. This is a process that is best undergone in a licensed treatment center. Individuals will be monitored around the clock, and kept safe and comfortable, by trained medical staff. Individuals may be prescribed small doses of medications that can be used to keep them comfortable during the process, as some of the withdrawal symptoms listed by the American Academy of Family Physicians include:
- Cravings
- Fatigue
- Increase in appetite
- Inability to concentrate
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Paranoia
Following the medical detox process, individuals will be able to continue treatment on either an inpatient or outpatient basis. Since crystal meth use often leads to severe addictions, the best treatment option is usually inpatient treatment, which will provide a safe, structured environment. This can keep the focus on recovery and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Individuals will participate in individual and group therapy as well as complementary therapies.
After they have completed an inpatient program, clients often proceed to an outpatient treatment plan. This may involve individual and group therapy, as well as 12-Step groups.
One of the most helpful types of therapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps individuals identify and change their drug-related thoughts and behaviors. This can help clients to identify any situations that put them at a high risk for using crystal meth so they may avoid such situations when possible. Individuals will also learn skills to assist with mood management and coping with cravings.
Contingency Management, which is effective in the treatment of other substance use disorders, has also been shown to promote sobriety in those who are dependent on crystal meth. The National Drug Strategy of the Australian Government describes Contingency Management as the use of vouchers, beginning at a low monetary value, that individuals can exchange for other items or services that may help promote abstinence. Individuals can only earn the vouchers by attending appointments and testing negative for crystal meth. As they progress through recovery, they will earn vouchers that increase in value. If they relapse, they must begin the program again.
There are currently no medications that are used in recovery from crystal meth. However, there are clinical trials being conducted by NIDA to discover if any medications used to treat other illnesses may be effective in promoting abstinence from crystal meth.