Question about crystal meth

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 11, 2005

I live in a small city which is probably the meth capital of the Northwest. :angryfire I hate the stuff.....it is pure evil, and it causes ordinary people to turn into raging, insensible, irresponsible, snaggle-toothed cretins who will do literally ANYTHING for their next fix. I've seen more of what it does to folks in the past 10 years than I ever cared to in a lifetime.......meth-heads will sell their children, endanger themselves and their entire neighborhoods by setting up labs, and kill each other without even thinking about it. And it's devilishly hard to get off of---almost every addict goes back to it at some point, usually sooner than later, and it ages them terribly. I've taken care of meth-using moms in their 20s who look decades older. Teeth get ruined from smoking and from poor nutrition........most meth users look like famine victims because they have no appetite.

It's heartbreaking when you see a newborn fighting the symptoms of withdrawal because its mother used meth during her pregnancy; it's one situation where I have a tough time NOT being judgmental, because these moms seem totally selfish to me. But the drug completely takes over---it's not like some substances that you can take or leave, it's so addictive that you can become 'hooked' the very first time you try it.

rn/writer, RN · Feb 11, 2005

I thought since many of you folks work in such bigger cities you'd know more about it because you've seen it more in you population maybe?

Can't answer your questions but I thought you might be interested to know that methamphetamine is becoming more of a scourge in rural areas--the midwest and the south, in particular--than in the big cities. One reason is that urban locations have so many choices on the "menu." Meth is cheap (comparitively) and simple enough for a real bonehead to cook. But I'm guessing the biggest reason is that cooking meth reeks in a very telltale way. Clandestine labs are commonly found in isolated trailers, cabins, barns, run-down houses and garages where the neighbors aren't likely to complain about the horrendous smell.

A law enforcement dude of some type was being interviewed on a news show yesterday, and he said that in his rural county of fewer than 60,000, he guessed there might be as many as 50 clan labs at any given time.

In a town of about 8,000 about ten miles from where I live, some eejit decided he'd cook himself a nice batch o' meth in his upstairs apartment. Only problem was, one of the first floor businesses was a shop that specialized in police equipment. Didn't take long before someone got a whiff and Mr. Meth-boyardee had his sorry ashcan hauled off to jail. Sheesh, how dumb can you get?

Miranda F.

icyounurse, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2005

most of the reason it destroys tooth lining has to do with the chemical ingredients. that in combination with poor hygiene and nutrition.

meth is highly addictive because of the intense high and the affordability and availability to keep getting high. it is much cheaper and easier to obtain than herion or cocaine for instance. it causes permanent brain damage.

my brother has problems with it, which is heartbreaking to watch, and therefore i have done alot of research on it.

lmcnabbkv · Feb 11, 2005

Meth is popping up everywhere in the country simply because of its low cost and the fact that it is relatively easy to make. This is a quote from my old hometown paper who just recently had a 3 or 4 day series on the meth problem.

"Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant that increases dopamine and norepinephrine production in the brain. Generally speaking, it acts on the brain's pleasure centers. In the short term, the drug causes euphoria, increased wakefulness and physical energy. Heart and breathing rates rise, and the user often has a dry mouth. Meth can be snorted in a powder form, but it is much more potent when injected by needle or smoked.

Meth users often describe feeling extremely confident, a sense that has been described as the "Superman Syndrome." In the long term, however, meth can induce paranoia, stroke, violent behavior, delusions and auditory hallucinations. Users often find their teeth rotting out and their weight falling drastically. They also find their lives falling apart"

Violence, health, explosions and fires are just some of the problems that stem from meth.That said, the meth that does arrive here does significant harm, Brodie said. And the meth that's cooked here does even more.

"In most of the meth lab situations that we've encountered, you wind up with children in the equation somehow," said Walrod, at Child and Family Services. "These places are just toxic, and we've got children crawling around on the floor. So many of the kids we take out of the home are testing positive for meth." :angryfire

So far, it's not clear whether the exposure children get to methamphetamine in such situations will cause long-term harm.

"Right now, it's just too new," Walrod said."

At the moment I am living in Hawaii and there is also a major problem with meth here or as they call it "ice". I almost think this name glamorizes the drug to young kids. Either way meth is a major problem in the US and is ruining lives especially those of women and children. I also posted the link to the series of articles if anyone is interested...very sad. :crying2:

http://www.missoulian.com/bonus/methandwomen/

kitty29 · Feb 11, 2005

Thanks for your replies you guys. This truely does break my heart....and I too have seen the horrible withdrawal these little ones suffer from. And is anyone aware if there have been any studies on what effects this abuse has on the baby long term....or is it too early?

I saw part of the interview with the police officer, and am glad they aired it. Often times if people in small communities are made aware of what could be going on, they are more likely to contact law inforcement.

I thought the stuff was smoked, but couldn't see the connection with the tooth decay...it must trash the enamel?

Too sad...

kitty29 · Feb 11, 2005

http://www.missoulian.com/bonus/methandwomen/

Will you double check the site, I clicked on it and it wouldn't work. Thanks so much for the insight.

Jolie, BSN · Feb 11, 2005

Thanks for your replies you guys. This truely does break my heart....and I too have seen the horrible withdrawal these little ones suffer from. And is anyone aware if there have been any studies on what effects this abuse has on the baby long term....or is it too early?
I saw part of the interview with the police officer, and am glad they aired it. Often times if people in small communities are made aware of what could be going on, they are more likely to contact law inforcement.
I thought the stuff was smoked, but couldn't see the connection with the tooth decay...it must trash the enamel?
Too sad...

Our local paper also ran a story today specifically about the dental problems caused by meth. It drastically reduces the amount of saliva produced, causing increased dental cavities in users. Without saliva to moisten the teeth and wash away bacteria and food particles, tooth decay sets in. In addition to dry mouth, meth raises one's body temp, often prompting users to consume sugary beverages, or suck on hard candy to relieve the sensation of a hot, dry mouth. (Teens seem to think it is cool to suck on pacifier candy.)

Meth can also induce anxiety in users, causing them to grind their teeth. This further contributes to dental woes, with cracking and chipping of teeth. Not to mention that meth users often let their personal hygiene go downhill.

I guess it is sad to think that dental problems are the least of the harm that meth causes its users and their families.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2005

Oddly enough, I just read an article about how it is popular among young, gay men in our area. Explains why I've never seen any babies withdrawl from it. :uhoh21:

Nurse Ratched, RN · Feb 11, 2005

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/olive/view_gallery.ata?g_id=2927

You want to see something that will educate - check out this article (you enter your zip code and age, but there's no other registration requirement to view - well worth a look...)

lmcnabbkv · Feb 11, 2005

http://www.missoulian.com/bonus/methandwomen/

sorry about that! I think it works now

mitchsmom · Feb 11, 2005

he was tweaking on meth and thought bugs were burrowing into his skin.

too much dopamine = schizophrenia/psychosis/hallucinations (from the methamphetamines)

too little dopamine = ADHD (hence amphetamines [aka Adderall, etc.] for ADHD

Interesting how it all see-saws huh?

I never knew about the teeth thing.

I have a friend whose son was arrested for operating a meth lab. It's made out of stuff anyone can get from the drug store. The small town theory seems to apply in my area, we have a lot of meth going on.