The Rise of Meth Use Among the Youth

Using drugs is a destructive habit that gets worse with time. The kind of substance used certainly plays a big role in the complexity of the consequences suffered.; for instance, the effects of using illegal marijuana won’t be the same as those from using meth. As much as we wish we could avoid drugs, the sad fact is that they’ll always find a way into the community. Every drug gets its turn in dominating the scene before eventually fading away in the face of drug control efforts. 

Yet, out of every drug that has been combated, meth is making a very strong comeback.

Meth is Rising, Again

Such a statement comes with heavy implications. Originally, the use of meth exploded in the 80s amongst specific communities, then finding its way further into the underground scene. Making meth was quite easy in those days, thanks to the availability of its key ingredient, pseudoephedrine, as a nasal decongestant in pharmacies. Back then, users could make meth in the comfort of their homes, which is why math labs became so prevalent in many households. However, thanks to the restriction of pseudoephedrine to being a  prescription drug and the efforts of narcotics squads in shutting down meth labs, the use of meth rapidly declined since 2006. 

Despite this win, it proved surprisingly difficult to permanently curb the use of meth. Instead of being brewed in homes, meth has become abundant in the streets nowadays. Somehow, somewhere in Mexico, the drug cartels have found a way to produce extremely pure and insanely cheap meth. With purity bordering 100% for $5 for a hit, it’s no wonder that using meth is becoming so mainstream again. Ease of access to meth on the streets has made it possible for the youth to use this perilous substance. As of 2018, around 43,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 and 273,000 young adults were estimated to be active meth users in the US. This estimation exceeds those of the preceding years, which can only be alarming. 

Getting Help for Meth Addiction

While using drugs is generally detrimental to one’s life, the consequences can vary depending on the drug. The only way to deal with meth addiction is to get into a meth rehab program in a trusted and specialized facility to have a chance to get over it. If you have a kid or know a loved one who’s suffering from meth addiction, your first priority should be to take them to a rehab center or get a free consultation from specialized physicians. Unlike other drugs, there’s nothing that can ease down the withdrawal symptoms or cravings of meth after quitting. The treatment will include mixing techniques of behavioral therapy with vitamins, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Time is of a crucial essence when it comes to meth; the sooner their recovery starts, the less severe the side effects of using can be. Depending on the duration and severity of use, recovery from meth can take years. 

When used for prolonged periods, it can result in memory loss, immune system damage, brain function impairment, mood swings, wild rages, impotence, and developing a substance use disorder. Short-term use can rapidly increase heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature while creating psychotic episodes of hallucinations and paranoia. The trickiest part of using meth is to not reach an overdose, which can be easily done. A meth overdose can kill;, it starts with convulsions and progresses quickly to heart failure, respiratory depression, and death. When mixed with other depressant drugs, such as opioids, users can OD without any warning symptoms at all. 

How to Know if Your Kid is Using Meth

There are so many reasons why teenagers and young adults may start using meth; the first of which is its availability. It starts with thinking “what’s the worst that can happen if I just give it a try?”, and then things escalate very quickly. They might also start using to get a first hand experience of its tempting benefits, such as euphoria and enhanced focus, wakefulness, and heightened physical and sexual activity. Just one hit can give them an extended high lasting from 8 to 12 hours. 

When it comes to using drugs, or meth specifically, there are some telltale signs that can help you save your child. Some of these signs and symptoms include:

1. Pipes, needles, foils, spoons, straws, or broken light bulbs, all of which can be used in delivering the dose.
2. Physical signs like increased body temperature, sweat that smells of ammonia, shallow and fast breathing, and burn marks on mouth and finger.
3. Behavioral changes such as aggressiveness, paranoia, and impulsiveness.

Speed, crank, tweak, ice, biker’s coffee or just good old crystal meth – whatever you choose to call it, methamphetamine is back. It’s scary because what starts as a fun adventure can quickly become a never-ending nightmare for our youth. The only thing that can be done for our loved ones is to watch out for the signs and get them the help they need as soon as we find any signs.