Methamphetamine Effects & Risks PDF

Amphetamines What is amphetamines What are amphetamines? Amphetamines are psycho-stimulant drugs, which means they speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Some types of amphetamines are prescribed by doctors to treat conditions such as (ADHD) and narcol...

Amphetamines What is amphetamines What are amphetamines? Amphetamines are psycho-stimulant drugs, which means they speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Some types of amphetamines are prescribed by doctors to treat conditions such as (ADHD) and narcolepsy (where a person has an uncontrollable urge to sleep). Amphetamines have also been used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Other types of amphetamines, such as speed, are produced and sold illegally. Amphetamines have been also been taken as performance enhancement drugs. The most potent form is crystal methamphetamine (ice).  What is ICE then? Crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’, ice drug) is a colorless , odorless stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. It’s stronger, more addictive and therefore has more harmful side effects than the powder form of methamphetamine known as speed. Ice usually comes as small chunky clear crystals that look like ice or fragments of glass. It can also come as white or brownish crystal-like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste. Other names Crystal meth, shabu, crystal, glass, shard. Poor man’s Cocaine WHAT ARE SOME LOCAL NAMES?  It can be -Smoked, -Injected, -Snorted, -Swallowed. Ice is generally smoked (feel the effect almost immediately) or injected (15 to 30 seconds to feel the effects). It is sometimes swallowed (15 to 20 minutes to feel the effects) or snorted (3 to 5 minutes to feel the effects). And its commonly abused because of long lasting euphoric effect it produces, however higher purity level may produce longer laster and more intense physcological effect. Why is it illegal? Crystal methamphetamines is a schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act Schedule II which include cocaine and PCP have a high potential for abuse Abuse of these drugs may lead to severe psychological or physical dependance What does ice do to the body? Indirect Agonist for: -Dopamine -Noradrenaline -5-HT (serotonin) Mechanism: -Blocks monoamine reuptake -Inhibits MAO metabolism -Inhibits vesicular storage -Reverse reuptake Effect of ice on systems Long -Term Effects Anxiety, confusion and sleep problems Hallucinations and delusions Methamphetamine psychosis Psychotic behaviour Chronic depression Severe weight loss Brain damage Clinical presentation Signs and symptoms of methamphetamine include: -Hyperthermia Euphoria -Dilated pupils -Sweating -Insomnia -Tachycardia and may be arrhythmia Decreased appetite -Increased alertness and energy. Mood symptoms Anxiety and restlessness Panic Aggression Racing thoughts Severe depression following a methamphetamine binge Euphoria Violent mood swings Delusions of power Behavioural symptoms Risky sexual behaviour Wanting to quit or cut down on methamphetamine use without being able to Violence Avoiding hobbies and activities that were once considered pleasurable Borrowing or stealing money Preoccupation with “chasing the next high” Pulling away from friends and family Engaging in unsafe activities Physical symptoms Marked weight loss Cardiac arrhythmias Malnutrition Respiratory problems Acne or picking scars Loss of elasticity of the skin “Meth Mouth” Brain damage Seizures Psychological symptoms Marked confusion Memory loss Disorganized lifestyle Paranoia Psychosis Hallucinations Total break from reality  While injecting drugs, there is an increased risk of: -tetanus -infection -vein damage. If sharing needles there is an increased risk of: -Hepatitis B & C -HIV and AIDS. Snorting ice can damage the nasal passage and cause nose bleeds. Overdose Its taking a large amount or have one strong batch this will cause chest pain breathing problems fits or uncontrolled jerking extreme agitation, confusion, clumsiness sudden, severe headache unconsciousness stroke, heart attack or immediate death.  Treatment We may use physical restraints in overdoses (or acute intoxication) or chemical restraints (sedation)to prevent harm to themselves or others. Physical restraints may be bandages or cuffs restricting a person’s movement. People who overdose may turn hostile because of methamphetamine-induced paranoia. Then aim to treat the life-threatening signs and symptoms present: -a compromised airway -seizures -tachycardia -hyperthermia Gastric Lavage with alkaloid antidotes (warm water with KMno4- if taken orally) and/or activated charcoal. We may administer a crystalloid intravenously to eliminate the drug through the urine. It will prevent sudden kidney failure. Crystalloids are mineral salts and other small, water-soluble molecules. Cases that present with significant end organ failure Intravenous phentolamine, nitroprusside or nitroglycerin. General supportive care e.g. antibiotics for infections. Diazepam and chlorpromazine for sedation are effective in treating ice induced chorea and seizure management There are also drugs like imipramine and fl uxetine adjuvent agents to treat the symptoms. Coming down It can take several days to come down from using ice. The following effects may be experienced during this time: diffi culty sleeping and exhaustion headaches, dizziness and blurred vision paranoia, hallucinations and confusion irritability and feeling ‘down’  Using a depressant drug such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or cannabis to help with the come-down effects may result in a cycle of dependence on both types of drugs. Autopsy Picture/Findings Recent needle puncture marks, irregular linear scars and skin infections ( the cubital fossa, anterior aspects of the arm, medial side of the ankles, the inguinal are and the neck) Crank Bugs, what one is said to feel crawling on or under the skin during a drug-induced hallucination. Users itch and scratch which causes the open sores. Extreme weight loss, bony prominences and rib cage prominent ‘Meth mouth’ Canker Bugs Meth mouth  Methamphetamine in blood concentrations/samples, and in urine Pathologic changes in the heart that lead to cardiac arrhythmias myocardial fibrosis and /or coronary artery fibrosis. Systemic infections such as Hepatitis B /C Some even have severe burns Addiction: The “Binge & Crash” Drug The drug boosts the release of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, leading to an increase of this chemical in the brain. Crystal meth causes an intense elevated or euphoric mood. Experiencing these unnatural levels of dopamine causes a strong desire to continue using the drug. It becomes addictive because your body experiences intense cravings to maintain the extremely euphoric state, which often results in constant redosing and binge-like behaviour to achieve that goal.