Meth users and abusers

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

We have seen a huge increase of Meth users in our hospital and the really sad thing is the increase in age, we are finding that it is not young kids who are using but people in their 30's upwards. The aggression that these people use during the hospital stay is draining the nursing staff and wearing us out.

Last week I looked after a 64yr old man who was high on Meth, and a very violent man-his daughter had supplied it to him during his hospital stay.

This week I looked after a 42 yr old man in a psychotic state from Meth use3 and abuse-unfortunatly he was the most violent I have ever experienced in my 20yrs of nursing.

The staff at work are blaming it on the falling economy, what do others think and are they experiencing this frightening increase.

I know I have had enough of the violence from these pts:argue:

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Meth is on the bottom rung of illicit drug use in my opinion. Meth users are far worse than heroin users, I think. Heroin users are merely utterly pathetic and weak. Meth users are maniacs.

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meth's a type of speed, a stimulant.

so yeah, the users, their minds, their bodies...

all go nuts.

dangerous, dangerous drug.

leslie

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

I think it's just because it is so readily available all across the country...can be made in any house by any idiot with an internet recipe. I have worked with nurses across the country and each one states they live in the "meth capital" of the US...hmm...maybe we all do :)

We have had numerous problems in my community with stolen metal...even power wires! Construction sites have to have 24hr guards a lot of the time and mills had to increase security. Why is our gov't allowing metal recyclers to pay for stolen metal knowing these are tweekers they are supporting.

It's a good thing I work in the ED where we don't see any drug use...:)

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I agree Larry - it is the accessibility and cheap cost (in money) of the drug.

We say we are the "drug capital" of the State of California.

steph

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Beleive it or not....I'm seeing more of these pts in LTC. Young kids, needing long term IV abtx wound care etc. Sad...LTC.

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Meth is on the bottom rung of illicit drug use in my opinion. Meth users are far worse than heroin users, I think. Heroin users are merely utterly pathetic and weak. Meth users are maniacs.

I understand and can appreciate your disdain for substance abuse, but I don't know that I'd classify them in a hierarchy. All of them lead to the ruin of lives, families and friendships. One isn't necessarily more/less efficient at doing so than another.

But I had to respond to you because of your quote by Timothy Leary, who happened to also be a huge advocate for psychedelic use...that's a bit of irony.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

But I had to respond to you because of your quote by Timothy Leary, who happened to also be a huge advocate for psychedelic use...that's a bit of irony.

I like the quote, I thought it was humorous and rang true...

:chuckle

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

And yes, some illicit drugs are more destructive than others...

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Specializes in Hospice.
We have seen a huge increase of Meth users in our hospital and the really sad thing is the increase in age, we are finding that it is not young kids who are using but people in their 30's upwards. The aggression that these people use during the hospital stay is draining the nursing staff and wearing us out.

Last week I looked after a 64yr old man who was high on Meth, and a very violent man-his daughter had supplied it to him during his hospital stay.

The staff at work are blaming it on the falling economy, what do others think and are they experiencing this frightening increase.

Increase also noted here in my small town in the central part of the U.S. Yet, I've not seen it confined to one socialeconomic group. I've also encountered it in multiple generations of the same family... sad.

I'll agree these are some of the most violent people I've cared for in my EMS career. It's already difficult to get an accurate history and assessment done on someone under the influence... it's even harder to do this non-judgmentally and objectively when it's the people trying to help them (emergency/ medical staff) that these patients are physically and verbally assaulting.

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I'm not a nurse - I'll enter the program next fall, just putting some pre-req's and then some electives to bed this year...

But- meth is apparently instantly addictive, and terribly destructive. The "cure" rate I've heard (someone successfully kicking their addiction to meth) is only around 10%.

I personally know the story of a local business owner's wife where I live who tried it at a party, got hooked and then went on to leave her husband and children (previously a pretty devoted mom) and is now a complete, homeless, wreck.

I wouldn't touch drugs with a ten-foot pole, and I wonder how many people, if they could go back in time, would wish they'd never tried them.

It is really heartbreaking. :(

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Specializes in med-surg, teaching, cardiac, priv. duty.
Meth is on the bottom rung of illicit drug use in my opinion.

I agree so much with this! All illicit drugs are destructive, but meth seems to be in a special category all by itself! I was amazed to learn that many people are addicted instantly. Yes, you can try it once and be already addicted. Meth seems to affect the pleasure center in the brain in a way like no other drug does. A few months back I did some personal research on meth addiction, and it was a horrifying eye-opener.

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