Pubdate: Thu, 02 Nov 2006
Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA)
Copyright: 2006 The Media News Group
Contact: http://www.chicoer.com/feedback
Website: http://www.chicoer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861
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Author: Methamphetamine Task Force
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METHAMPHETAMINE UPDATE

It has been said that whatever a drug gives it will eventually take 
away; meth is no different. The lure is seemingly unlimited energy 
with a sense of euphoria included. It is easy to like, and the rapid 
onset of tolerance (the need for more to get the effect previously 
achieved by a lesser amount) and withdrawal (the discomfort when a 
drug wears off) creates a rapid onset of addiction.

There are people who briefly experiment with meth and escape before 
the situation gets tragic. Statistically speaking they are in a small 
minority that is dominated by people who tried it and for whatever 
reason didn't like it. Of the ones who tried it and liked it, the 
vast majority will reap the wrath of this sinister substance in one 
way or another.

It is generally accurate to say that something has gone wrong in the 
life of a person who tries meth; it just isn't a reasonable response 
to anything. This helps us to understand the addictive potential. If 
a person's life is not going well they may feel depressed and 
experience a lull in energy. It is usually at these low points in 
life that a person will try drugs. To help understand this addiction 
potential, draw a line and put euphoria at one end andAdvertisement 
depression at the other. Put a dot in middle to represent a normal 
state of energy and mood. When a person in a normal state tries a 
drug they move from the middle towards euphoria; there is a small 
perceived reward. When a person who is not doing well tries a drug 
they are starting at the depressed end and moving past normal to the 
euphoria end and getting a much bigger reward. Simply put, the size 
of the low when use commences determines the size of high, or 
perceived reward, when a drug is used. Although the perception may be 
one of healing, the suffering has really just begun.

Whatever has gone wrong in the person's life is about to be 
complicated by addiction.

Methamphetamine addiction can mimic several mental health disorders 
causing symptoms that make diagnostic evaluations difficult. Meth use 
usually creates a syndrome that closely resembles bi-polar disorder 
where a person's mood and energy cycle form high to low. The big mood 
and energy boost during meth use is followed by a drastically 
depressed mood and low energy when the drug wears off. This 
information may help you to recognize the signs of meth use in people 
you know, but remain aware that you may be seeing a mental health 
problem. For a concerned parent a drug test is appropriate.

We all want to be in a good mood and have lots of energy, but meth's 
truth is that whatever it gives in the short run, it will take away 
ten fold in the long run. The personal stories of meth indicate that 
it takes away much more than moods and energy. Visit the 
Methamphetamine Strike Force website at http://www.2stopmeth.org/.
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