The truth about metamphetamine

CEBU, Philippines - Slang—Speed, Meth, Crystal, Crank, Tweak, Go-fast, Ice, Glass, Uppers, Black Beauties, Shabu, Shabs, Tawas.

Methamphetamine affects your brain. In the short term, meth causes mind and mood changes such as anxiety, euphoria, and depression. Long-term effects can include chronic fatigue, paranoid or delusional thinking, and permanent psychological damage.

Methamphetamine affects your body. Abuse on any type of speed is pretty risky. Creating a false sense of energy, these drugs push the body faster and further than it’s meant to go. It increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of stroke.

Methamphetamine affects your self-control. Meth is a powerfully addictive drug that can cause aggression and violent or psychotic behavior.

Methamphetamine is not what it seems. Even speed drugs are not always safe. Giga-jolts of the well-known stimulants caffeine or ephedrine can cause stroke or cardiac arrest when overused or used by people with a sensitivity to them.

Methamphetamine can kill you. An overdose of meth can result in heart failure. Long-term physical effects such as liver, kidney, and lung damage may also kill you.

So why risk it!

1. Methamphetamine is illegal and is highly dangerous.

2. The ignitable, corrosive, and toxic nature of the chemicals used to produce meth can cause fires, produce toxic vapors, and damage the environment.

3. Studies show that the number of past-month methamphetamine users who fit the definition of stimulant dependence or abuse more than doubled from 2002 to 2007.

4. The number of people admitted to treatment for methamphetamine use problems has been rising for several years.

Know the risks. There are a lot of risks associated with using methamphetamine, including:

• Meth can cause a severe “crash” after the effects wear off.

• Meth use can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain.

• Meth users who inject the drug and share needles are at risk for acquiring HIV/AIDS.

Know the Signs…

How can you tell if a friend is using meth? It may not be easy to tell. But there are signs you can look for. Symptoms of methamphetamine use may include:

• Inability to sleep

• Increased sensitivity to noise

• Nervous physical activity, like scratching

• Irritability, dizziness, or confusion

- Extreme anorexia

- Tremors or even convulsions

- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of stroke

- Presence of inhaling paraphernalia, such as razor blades, mirrors, test tubes, aluminum foil, and straws

- Presence of injecting paraphernalia, such as syringes, heated spoons, or surgical tubing

What can you do to help a friend who is using meth? Be a real friend. You might even save a life. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help. For more information please contact We Do Recover at 032-2315229 or 032-2389143. You may email us at wedorecover@ yahoo.com, or visit our website at http://www.wedorecover .net. You may also visit us at Left 3rd. La Guardia, Lahug.