Pubdate: Thu, 02 Nov 2006 Source: Oroville Mercury-Register (CA) Copyright: 2006 Oroville Mercury Register Contact: http://www.orovillemr.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2277 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/. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman