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. 

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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