Methamphetamine, the Most Hazardous of Drugs
Methamphetamine History
Methamphetamine has become one of our most dangerous and addictive of drugs. The history of methamphetamine regarding its development and applications is fascinating. In 1887 Edelano synthesized amphetamine (phenylisopropylamine, Benzedrine), an ephedrine-like precursor to methamphetamine. Then in 1919 the methylated form of amphetamine, or methamphetamine, was formulated and used as a central nervous system stimulant. In its educational publication on the history of methamphetamine, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World noted:
“Methamphetamine went into wide use during World War II, when both sides used it to keep troops awake. High doses were given to Japanese Kamikaze pilots before their suicide missions. And after the war, methamphetamine abuse by injection reached epidemic proportions when supplies stored for military use became available to the Japanese public.”
After the war, methamphetamine (Methedrine), now readily available in tablet and injectable forms, became popular for dieting as well as combatting lethargy (truck drivers and college students, athletes). Narconon International informs us that
“This pattern changed drastically in the 1960s with the increased availability of injectable methamphetamine. The 1970 Controlled Substances Act severely restricted the legal production of injectable methamphetamine, causing its use to decrease greatly.”
Instructive photos of meth crystal, powder, & solution from Department of Justice Archives
Whereas methamphetamine (see this and the next excellent, educational You-Tube videos) was highly addictive and having a devastating effect on schools, communities, and families, the study of this drug, or even the diagnosis and treatment of addiction in medical schools, was not a part of the curriculum in the 1970′s. Indeed, physicians often had prescribed the drug for dieting and as a stimulant, thereby contributing to the spread of meth addiction. Today, Adderall, a form of amphetamine prescribed (over-prescribed?) for attention deficit disorders and narcolepsy, is addictive and can lead to methamphetamine usage.
According to Disabled World, methamphetamine is also known on the street as
“Crank, Crypto, Crystal, Meth, Quill, Speed, tweak, White Cross, Yellow bam, and for smokable forms of it, Cristy, Hanyak, Ice, L.A. glass and Quartz. It can be swallowed in a pill or tablet form, snorted (through the nose) in its powdered form or injected intravenously in its liquid form.”
The signs & symptoms of methamphetamine addiction
The above informative picture shows an advanced stage of weight-loss in a meth addict. As stated on the teaching website of Timberline Knolls, symptoms of meth abuse include “increased attention and decreased fatigue, increased activity and wakefulness, increased talkativeness, decreased appetite, euphoria and experiencing a rush, increased respiration, rapid/irregular heartbeat, and hyperthermia.” HealthyPlace adds anxiety, irritability, aggression, paranoia, increased libido, increased concentration, grandiosity, sociability, hallucinations, and psychosis.
Timberline Knolls, a residential treatment center, also informs us of the following physical signs in meth addiction:
“Skin picking: methamphetamine addicts are known to obsessively pick at their skin. The marks left by this picking may look similar to an extreme case of acne, often leaving open sores on the face.
Skin crawling: meth addicts also often complain about having crawling skin, a disorder known as formication.
Tooth decay: Another common sign is tooth loss or tooth decay, referred to as meth mouth.
Hair loss: due to the lack of nutrients in an addict’s body as well as the dangerous chemicals they ingest, hair breakage frequently occurs as well.
Methamphetamine: informative photos of addiction & facial changes.
Instructive photo of tooth decay from Dr. Chris Heringlake, DDS, St. Cloud Correctional Facility.
Methamphetamine & skin picking
To this list of signs of meth addiction HealthyPlace adds:
“restlessness, hyperactivity, twitching, tremors, numbness, repetitive and obsessive behaviors, anorexia, dilated pupils, flushing, dry mouth, headache, heart arrhythmias, and blood pressure changes.”
