Hello readers, As this is my last last post I would like to re-emphasize the importance and awareness of Methamphetamine use and abuse. I've learned that Meth is a powerful stimulant the affects the Central Nervous System and alters brain activity which can have mild to severe effects on the body including physical and psychological, some are seizures, stroke, meth mouth, body sores and death. Some psychological effects are paranoia, short term memory loss and psychosis. This drug mainly targets young adults. It was used during WWII by the U.S, Germany and Japan. It would help soldiers withstand the lack of sleep and hunger.
Meth can be smoked, snorted through the nose, injected or taken orally. It can be produced as a liquid, crystal or powered form just about anywhere, using common household ingredients like Sudafed (antihistamine), battery acid, drain cleaner and many more. I can be cooked using coffee filters, hot plates or a simpler way by producing it by the so called Shake and Bake where they use a 2-Liter soda bottle to produce it. The fumes of these chemicals are toxic to anyones health. A person does not necessarily need to be exposed to it directly but can inadvertently be exposed to it without knowing. This can happen when Meth labs in homes are torn down and the chemicals produced from making meth are embedded into the walls, cracks of the property. This causes a health hazard to the new occupants of this home. Cleaning these homes to be free of these chemicals can range in the thousands. Drug Use and abuse of Meth can lead to depression, social isolation from friends, family and thoughts of suicide. Substance abuse affects the user and their loved ones. It's a DISEASE!
I have discovered a new outlet of communication via Eblog. It has been a wonderful learning experience. I've enjoyed reading and learning about other addictions through other classmates Eblogs as well, and let me tell you it's been fun. I don't plan to Eblog about this topic in the near future, but I may consider blogging on another topic. Thanks for your comments and for visiting and reading my blogs.
Good Luck everyone!
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Meth Project Ads
These are some of the Anti-Meth Ads. Very powerful messages imbedded into them. One that comes to mind is the one where a young girl says, "I'm gonna try meth just once, I'm gonna smoke this just once, I'm gonna steal just once, I'm going to sleep with him for meth just once" ("Meth Project Ads," 2009). Some of this going on while in the presence of her little sister, which in the end of the ad it shows her going through her sisters purse and saying, "I'm gonna try meth just once"("Meth Project Ads," 2009).
It Goes to show how much of an influence bad behaviors can have on anyone, even the ones we love.
Most of these ads show denial and how the users are not going to fall into the spiraling disease of this drug, but eventually do. They also show how meth causes negative effects on everyone within their destructive path.
Another one that is very powerful is of a girl getting dropped off at the emergency room and by that I mean thrown at the curb by her so called friends. She's apparently overdosing and in the story line she praises her friends by stating since they are very tight they will take care of her no matter what happens. This of course was not the case. When times are tough and you find yourself in precarious situations; if your lucky enough to live through it, you realize who really cares for you. Hopefully it's not too late! With friends like that who needs enemies right?
It Goes to show how much of an influence bad behaviors can have on anyone, even the ones we love.
Most of these ads show denial and how the users are not going to fall into the spiraling disease of this drug, but eventually do. They also show how meth causes negative effects on everyone within their destructive path.
Another one that is very powerful is of a girl getting dropped off at the emergency room and by that I mean thrown at the curb by her so called friends. She's apparently overdosing and in the story line she praises her friends by stating since they are very tight they will take care of her no matter what happens. This of course was not the case. When times are tough and you find yourself in precarious situations; if your lucky enough to live through it, you realize who really cares for you. Hopefully it's not too late! With friends like that who needs enemies right?
I suggest you guys look through all of the ads from the METH PROJECT.
Reference:
Meth Project Ads. (2009, January 28). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lT4VUPXEqo
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Meth Faces
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, of some of the short term effects of Meth may include, "Increased attention and decreased fatigue, Increased activity and wakefulness, Decreased appetite, Euphoria and Rush, Increased respiration, Rapid/Irregular heartbeat and Hyperthermia"("Methamphetamine," n.d.).
The constant use and abuse can be seen physically in a Meth addicts, as depicted by the pictures & video below. The before and after pictures are very impressive. It is as if you are looking at two different people. Some of the pictures rage from a 2 month term of use through 5 years.
Faces of Meth, a picture and image gallery of before and after Meth Users. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.smokemeth.com/Faces-of-Meth--a-picture-and-image-gallery-of-before-and-after-Meth-Users.aspx
The constant use and abuse can be seen physically in a Meth addicts, as depicted by the pictures & video below. The before and after pictures are very impressive. It is as if you are looking at two different people. Some of the pictures rage from a 2 month term of use through 5 years.
References:
Methamphetamine. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-methamphetamine-abuseFaces of Meth, a picture and image gallery of before and after Meth Users. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.smokemeth.com/Faces-of-Meth--a-picture-and-image-gallery-of-before-and-after-Meth-Users.aspx
Meth Bites/Bugs
Another physical characteristic of meth is scratching, picking at the skin, which in turn causes wounds. They get a sensation of small bugs, known as "Meth Mites or Bugs". These type of wounds can then get infected causing other complications that can be detrimental to one's health if not treated promptly. The first picture below on the left shows a person's arms that are severely cut up, with deep wounds. The skin surrounding the wounds is reddened and the skin color is different in comparison to her upper arms. They also appear to be somewhat swollen. These wounds may already be infected.
References:
Meth Faces. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anti-meth.org/photos2.html
Methamphetamine Sores, Skin & Crank Bugs - Meth Project. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.methproject.org/answers/what-are-crank-bugs.html#Scabs-and-Scars
Crystal Methamphetamine paraphernalia | Objects Crystal Meth. (2014, March 20). Retrieved from http://www.theaac.co.za/what-is-addiction/-drug-paraphernalia/crystal-methamphetamine-paraphernalia
Friday, March 14, 2014
Meth effects on the Brain
According to Inaba & Cohen (2011), Meth manufacturing can be as simple as "At a local hardware store, a street chemist can get rock salt, battery acid, red phosphorus road flares, iodine, anhydrous ammonia, pool acid, mason jars, coffee filters, and plastic tubing to help in the manufacturing"(Inaba & Cohen, 2011 p.3.23). It can even be done a stovetop using sedated pills or cold pills (Inaba & Cohen, 2011). It is because of all these combinations of chemicals including lack of sleep, poor diet, and prolonged use results in altered brain chemistry.
Furthermore, Inaba & Cohen (2011) revealed that, "In a study of 22 heavy users of methamphetamine, researchers found disturbing evidence that the brains of heavy users had an average loss of 11.3% of their limbic gray matter, particularly the hippocampus"(Inaba & Cohen, 2011p.3.25).
This find is quite interesting since as a nurse I'm not able to see the irreversible brain damage caused by the use of meth, although I am able to see the physical consequences caused by brain damage. Below I found a website with these facts and brain scan images that shows how the brain is affected.
Furthermore, Inaba & Cohen (2011) revealed that, "In a study of 22 heavy users of methamphetamine, researchers found disturbing evidence that the brains of heavy users had an average loss of 11.3% of their limbic gray matter, particularly the hippocampus"(Inaba & Cohen, 2011p.3.25).
This find is quite interesting since as a nurse I'm not able to see the irreversible brain damage caused by the use of meth, although I am able to see the physical consequences caused by brain damage. Below I found a website with these facts and brain scan images that shows how the brain is affected.
References:
Inaba, D., & Cohen, W. E. (2011). Uppers, downers, all arounders: Physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs. Ashland, OR: CNS Publications.
Meth effects on Body. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anti-meth.org/brainbody.html
Meth Faces. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anti-meth.org/photos2.html
Visible Signs of Meth
Undoubtedly Meth is an addictive and cheap drug. It causes many physiological symptoms that are visible. According to How Meth Destroys the Body, "Chronic abuse can lead to psychotic behavior, including paranoia, insomnia, anxiety, extreme aggression, delusions and hallucinations, and even death"("How Meth Destroys the Body," n.d.). Some of the physical signs include but are not limited to acne, sores, meth mouth which results in tooth decay and tooth loss, and weight loss ("How Meth Destroys the Body," n.d.).
In the correctional setting we encountered many addicts with meth mouth. One particular person that comes to my mind was a young male about 23 years old. He had been a meth addict since he was fairly young. I can't remember the exact year but probably about 12 years old. He dropped out of school at a very young age and was quite illiterate. His parents were also meth addicts, but lost contact with them when they both got arrested. He lived with other family members, who of course also were addicts to meth and alcohol. He became a run away and began to hang out with other addicts and would commit theft at stores to feed their addiction. I remember looking at his teeth, because he was complaining of pain. His gums were red and swollen. His teeth looked rotten, but did have some teeth. When he was referred to the dentist, he received the awakening reality of what his addiction had caused him. The dentist mentioned that none of his teeth were salvable, and because his gums were infected it was imminent to have all his teeth removed. He was then given antibiotics and referred to Oral Surgery.
When you are incarcerated the jail system does not provide you with dentures, because they see this as a cosmetic and unnecessary need. Not to mention the fact that they are expensive. Their only purpose is to treat you and keep you as healthy as possible. This young man not even 25 years old had to deal with the fact of having to eat soft foods while he was going to be incarcerated or at least until he was released and could afford dentures. People at jail don't have many choices of what they can eat. If you are prescribed soft foods from the doctor, your choices are oatmeal, cottage cheese and sou, all of which are tasteless, and very bland. If you want to eat or buy from the commissary you would have to first of all have family to put money on your account or hustle inside gail, then soak the food in some type of liquid in order for it to be consumed without causing injury. Meth mouth is real and it's one of many dreadful consequences meth has on the body of an addict.
Bellow is a picture from the website.
In the correctional setting we encountered many addicts with meth mouth. One particular person that comes to my mind was a young male about 23 years old. He had been a meth addict since he was fairly young. I can't remember the exact year but probably about 12 years old. He dropped out of school at a very young age and was quite illiterate. His parents were also meth addicts, but lost contact with them when they both got arrested. He lived with other family members, who of course also were addicts to meth and alcohol. He became a run away and began to hang out with other addicts and would commit theft at stores to feed their addiction. I remember looking at his teeth, because he was complaining of pain. His gums were red and swollen. His teeth looked rotten, but did have some teeth. When he was referred to the dentist, he received the awakening reality of what his addiction had caused him. The dentist mentioned that none of his teeth were salvable, and because his gums were infected it was imminent to have all his teeth removed. He was then given antibiotics and referred to Oral Surgery.
When you are incarcerated the jail system does not provide you with dentures, because they see this as a cosmetic and unnecessary need. Not to mention the fact that they are expensive. Their only purpose is to treat you and keep you as healthy as possible. This young man not even 25 years old had to deal with the fact of having to eat soft foods while he was going to be incarcerated or at least until he was released and could afford dentures. People at jail don't have many choices of what they can eat. If you are prescribed soft foods from the doctor, your choices are oatmeal, cottage cheese and sou, all of which are tasteless, and very bland. If you want to eat or buy from the commissary you would have to first of all have family to put money on your account or hustle inside gail, then soak the food in some type of liquid in order for it to be consumed without causing injury. Meth mouth is real and it's one of many dreadful consequences meth has on the body of an addict.
Bellow is a picture from the website.
References:
How Meth destroys the Body. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/body/
Monday, March 3, 2014
Meth- First post
According to Inaba & Cohen (2011), Amphetamines also known as Meth is a powerful synthetic stimulant that last longer and is cheaper in comparison to cocaine. It works by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters in the brain that activate our sympathetic nervous system. The drug can be smoked, snorted or taken orally or intravenous. It can be made in a persons kitchen using pseudoephedrine (Inaba & Cohen, 2011, pp 3.20- 3.25).
Working as a correctional nurse I encounter many patients with addictions. Many of these patients commit crimes while under the influence of an illicit drug. I encountered a story from one of my patients that was very interesting. For confidentiality purposes I will call him Robert. According to Robert he was arrested after crashing into a tree at around 3am on a weekend. Well it so happened that Robert was smoking Meth every day for about 5 days straight. He had not slept in those five days and decided to drive to a friends house and he just remembers waking up with police and EMT's at his side. When I asked Robert if he felt sleepy, his answer to me was no. He felt fine. He went on to inform me that his brain just shut down, and was thankful that his accident and lack of responsibility did not harm anyone other than a tree. He was on parole for a prior drug charge and did not have a valid license to drive.
Working as a correctional nurse I encounter many patients with addictions. Many of these patients commit crimes while under the influence of an illicit drug. I encountered a story from one of my patients that was very interesting. For confidentiality purposes I will call him Robert. According to Robert he was arrested after crashing into a tree at around 3am on a weekend. Well it so happened that Robert was smoking Meth every day for about 5 days straight. He had not slept in those five days and decided to drive to a friends house and he just remembers waking up with police and EMT's at his side. When I asked Robert if he felt sleepy, his answer to me was no. He felt fine. He went on to inform me that his brain just shut down, and was thankful that his accident and lack of responsibility did not harm anyone other than a tree. He was on parole for a prior drug charge and did not have a valid license to drive.
Citations
Inaba, D., & Cohen, W. E. (2011). Uppers, downers, all arounders: Physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs. Ashland, OR: CNS Publications.
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