History of the drug Methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1887. In 1919, it was developed by a pharmacologist in Japan to alleviate fatigue and produce feeling of alertness. In the 1930s, doctors in the United States started to use methamphetamine to treat asthma. By the year 1932, amphetamine Benzedrine was sold in the local drug stores for the treatment of nasal blockage commonly associated with colds and flu. During World War II, Methamphetamine and amphetamine were taken by the pilots keep them awake to due to the long flights and also to the soldiers for alertness. The experiment failed because soldiers became irritable and could not control their aggression. The soldiers used the drugs to reduce fatigue and increase their alertness. In the late 1950s, the drug was still marketed to treat obesity, narcolepsy and sinus inflammation. The pills were also sold on non medical reasons like to truck drivers and college students who used the pills to keep them awake and very active. Late 1970s, the doctors begun to realize that it was being abused and therefore it was regulated in the Controlled Substances Act and a public education campaign was launched. Pharmacological data Methamphetamine is usually ranked in the group of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS).It is a psycho stimulant drug used primarily for recreational purposes but sometimes it is prescribed for medical reasons. It is a colorless crystalline solid often adulterated with chemicals that are used to synthesize it (Schifano, Corkery& Cuffolo, 2007, p.1). Crystal meth is the commonest form of Methamphetamine which is in its purified form otherwise known as methamphetamine hydrochloride. Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant; it causes both the noradrenalin and the dopamine transporters to reverse their direction of action, causing increased stimulation of post-synaptic receptors. It also indirectly prevents the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, causing them to remain in the synaptic cleft for a prolonged period (Schifano et al., 2007, p.2).. The acute effects of the drug closely resemble the physiological and psychological effects of an adrenaline-provoked fight or flight response including increased heart rate and blood pressure, vasoconstriction, bronchodilation and hyperglycemia (Schifano et al., 2007, p.2)..
Effects of the drug Methamphetamine appears to cause cardiomyopathy, pulmonary oedema, myocardial infarction and ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Methamphetamine use can also be associated with schizophrenia-like acute psychotic episodes probably due to its actions on the mesolimbic and neocortical dopaminergic pathways. Users with a high family vulnerability for schizophrenia are more likely to experience psychotic episodes than others (Schifano et al., 2007, p.5). In lay-mans language it causes hallucinations, disorganized lifestyle, violent and aggressive behavior, permanent psychological problems, paranoid schizophrenia, poor coping abilities, disturbance of personality development, lowered resistance to illnesses and possible brain damage (KCI The Anti Meth Site, 1995). How is it used or administered: For medical use, it is usually swallowed. When used leisurely, it is administered through smoking, when dissolved in water it is injected, swallowing, snorting, and smoking or inserted through the anus. In general, both injecting and smoking are the fastest way of assimilation into the blood followed by snorting, anal insertion then swallowing. How it works in the body and in the Mind: Methamphetamine acts on dopamine neuron in the brain; this is the neuron that makes us feel pleasure. Once the drug has entered the brain, it triggers the production of more dopamine therefore bringing about the feeling of pleasure for longer hours but the feeling ends producing a ‘crash’ effect and therefore brings bad effects such as irritability and aggression. Symptoms of addiction: methamphetamine can cause the following symptoms to the uses; anxiety, nervous breakdown, irritability and excessive aggression, , sleeping disorders like insomnia, a false sense of internal confidence and power and all this can finally lead to depression. Treatment: Effects of Methamphetamine do not have a cure to reverse them. However, Anti depressant medication is sometimes used to cool down the depressive symptoms of withdrawing. The other treatment is the Cognitive behavioral therapy this treatment is used in assisting a patient in changing his thinking, attitude, mannerisms and future expectations.
Latest research findings: The methamphetamine epidemic continues to grow, dominating drug use trends in many parts of the world and signifying an increasing need for effective treatment (Maxwell, 2005, p.235).
In addition to the already-documented physical effects of the drug, preliminary evidence suggests that methamphetamine dependence may cause long-term neuronal damage (Maxwell, 2005, p.235).
Recently, abstinent users have been found to do poorly on neurocognitive tests of attention and motor skills (Maxwell, 2005, p.235).Both of these factors can adversely affect treatment outcomes. Methamphetamine use is also implicated in aggression and violence and there are increasing presentations to emergency rooms (Maxwell, 2005, p.235). Methamphetamine affects the development of the fetus in the womb and consequently after delivery. Outpatient programs such as the Matrix Model show improved in-treatment performance. Case management was found to be an effective intervention. Agonist-type pharmacotherapy in combination with quality behavioral therapy should produce benefit and a reduction in risks caused by stimulant abuse (Maxwell, 2005, p.235).
Reference list
Maxwell, J., C. (2005). Emerging research on methamphetamine: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 0951-7367. Web.
KCI the Anti Meth Site, (1995). Methamphetamine Frequently Asked Questions.
Schifano, F., Corkery, J., & Cuffolo, G., (2007). Smokable (“ice”, “crystal meth”) and non Smokable amphetamine-type stimulants: clinical pharmacological and epidemiological issues, with special reference to the UK. Ann IST Super Sanità, 43(1), 110-115.