Methamphetamine:
Its Effects on You, the Environment,
and Young Children
Slide show created by:
Mr. Fadi Najem
Dr. Letitia Black
Dr. Wafaa Kaf
Names of Methamphetamine
Basic Facts About Meth

It is a stimulant drug
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It is very addictive

It is chemically related to amphetamines,
but has more potent, longer lasting
effects, that are more harmful to the
central nervous system (CNS).

Meth users feel a short yet intense "rush"
when the drug is initially administered.

Immediate effects include increased
activity and decreased appetite.
2005 Nat’l Survey on Drug Use

Estimated 10.4 million Americans aged
12 or older used methamphetamine at
least once in their lifetimes for
nonmedical reasons.

This represents 4.3% of the U.S.
population in that age group.
Meth Abuse Treatment Admissions
1992 vs. 1996
(Red and blue areas = more admissions)
http://www.methamphetamineaddiction.com/methamphetamine_hist.html
Did you know that since 2000, there
have been more than 15,000 children
affected in meth labs and related incidents?
www.thedenverchannel.com
Meth is a Psychostimulant

Pychostimulants temporarily increase
alertness and wakefulness.

Usually have increased side-effects with
increased effectiveness.

The more powerful variants are often
prescription medicines or illegal drugs.
Meth is Sympathomimetic

Sympathomimetic drugs mimic the
effects of the hormone Adrenaline and
the hormone Noradrenaline. They all
cause increased blood pressure.
History of Meth

1893: First synthesized from ephedrine
in Japan by chemist Nagayoshi Nagai.

1919: crystallized meth was synthesized
by Akira Ogata via reduction of
ephedrine using red phosphorus and
iodine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine#World_War_II
History

One of the earliest uses of meth occurred
during World War II when the German
military dispensed it under the trade
name Pervitin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine#World_War_II

Adolf Hitler was given daily injections by
his personal physician to treat depression
and fatigue.

It was speculated that Hitler had
Parkinson's disease, but his symptoms
may have been related to abuse of
methamphetamines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine#World_War_II
Post War Use

1950s: rise in the legal prescription of meth
to the American public.

1960s: use illegally manufactured meth. The
recreational use of methamphetamine peaked
in the 1980s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine#World_War_II
Legal Restriction in the U.S.

1983: laws were passed in the U.S.
prohibiting possession of precursors and
equipment for methamphetamine
production.

Since 1989, five federal laws and dozens
of state laws have been imposed in an
attempt to curb meth production.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine#World_War_II
Medical use of Meth

Methamphetamine is used medically
under the brand name “Desoxyn” for
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), extreme obesity, and narcolepsy.

Desoxyn is not generally prescribed for
ADHD unless other stimulants or mixed
amphetamines have failed.
Tolerance

Varies widely between individuals and
even within one person.

Highly dependent on dosage, duration of
use and frequency of administration.

Many cases of narcolepsy are treated
with methamphetamine for years without
escalating doses or any apparent loss of
effect.
Methamphetamine Effects
Common Immediate Side Effects
Euphoria
Increased energy and attentiveness
Diarrhea, nausea
Excessive sweating
Loss of appetite, insomnia, tremor, jawclenching (Bruxism)
 Agitation, compulsive fascination with
repetitive tasks (Punding)
 Talkativeness, irritability, panic attacks
 Increased libido
 Dilated pupils
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Side Effects After Chronic Use
Drug craving
 Weight loss
 Withdrawal-related Depression and
Anhedonia
 Rapid tooth decay ("meth mouth")
 Amphetamine psychosis

www.cityofwaynesboro.org
www.tucsoncitizen.com
Overdose

Brain damage/
meningitis caused
by lead poisoning
(neurotoxicity)

Paranoia, delusions,
hallucinations,
which may trigger a
tension headache
Overdose

Formication (sensation of flesh crawling
with bugs, with possible associated
compulsive picking and infecting sores)

Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle breakdown)
which leads to Kidney failure

Death from overdose is usually due to
stroke, cardiac arrest or hyperthermia.
Meth Mouth
Abnormally quick loss of teeth.
 Probable causes - xerostomia (dry
mouth), poor oral hygiene, frequent
consumption of high calorie, carbonated
beverages, tooth grinding/clenching.

Risky Behavior

STDs - Disregard for the potential
dangers of unprotected sex or other
reckless sexual behavior may contribute
to the spread of sexually transmitted
diseases.

Increased need and urgency for sex, the
ability to have sex for extended periods of
time, and an inability to ejaculate or
reach orgasm or physical release.
Addiction on Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine-induced
hyperstimulation of pleasure pathways
leads to anhedonia, (feeling pleasure).

Former users note that they feel stupid or
dull when they quit using.
Ingredients of Meth

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Battery Acid
Cold Medicine
Drain Cleaner
Acetone
Rock salt
Lye
Antifreeze
Kitty Litter
Lithium batteries
Toluene
What Are Some Physical Signs That
Someone Is Using Meth?



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No sleep for 2-3 days
Dramatic weight loss
Paranoia
Aggressive behavior
Extreme energy
Grinding teeth
 Obsessive picking of
the face or body
 Hallucinations,
(auditory or visual)
 Euphoria

Intake - Smoking Meth

Fumes are vaporized rather than burned
and inhaled, as with tobacco.

Glass pipes or aluminum foil heated by a
flame are used. Also known as "chasing
the white dragon" or more commonly
called "Clucking".
Intake - Injection

Injection is a
popular method,
also known as
slamming.

Users often have
skin rashes ("speed
bumps") and
infections at the site
of injection.
Injecting is very risky!
The hydrochloride salt of meth is soluble
in water, so injection users can use any
dose from 125 mg to over a gram with a
small needle.
 This dosage range may be fatal to nonaddicts.

Sharing needles without
sterilization procedures can
spread blood-borne diseases
such as HIV or hepatitis.
Another way of Ingesting Meth

Crush the crystals up and insufflate
them. This bypasses first pass metabolism
and goes straight into the bloodstream.
Legality:

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Australia: Strictly used.
Canada: Meth is not approved for medical
use in Canada.
Hong Kong: It can only be used legally by
health professionals and for university
research purposes.
The Netherlands: Meth is not approved for
medical use.
New Zealand: Doctors can prescribe it for
an appropriate indication, but case-by-case
approval by the director-general of public
health is mandatory.

United States: Methamphetamine is
classified as a Schedule II which means:
◦ (A) There is a high potential for abuse.
◦ (B) There is a currently accepted medical use
in treatment in the United States or a
currently accepted medical use with severe
restrictions.
◦ (C) Abuse may lead to severe psychological or
physical dependence.
http://www.dea.gov/pubs/abuse/1-csa.htm#Schedule II
More Information About Meth

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/p
ubs/pressrel/methfact03.html

http://www.montanameth.org
/index.php

See forum handouts
Quiz – Test your knowledge!

1. Methamphetamine is able to act in the
brain because it has a structure similar to
which brain chemical?
◦
◦
◦
◦
a. Endorphin
b. Amygdala
c. Chocolate
d. Dopamine
 d. Dopamine, sometimes called the pleasure
chemical, has a shape and chemical structure that
is similar to Methamphetamine. This is part of why
Methamphetamine is able to cause its many effects
in the brain.

2. Which of the following are effects of
Methamphetamine?
◦
◦
◦
◦
a. Increased heart rate
b. Difficulty sleeping
c. Aggressiveness
d. All of the above
 d. Methamphetamine can also cause certain types
of hallucinations, loss of appetite and even strokes.

3. True or False:
◦ Methamphetamine can cause long term damage to
neurons that contain the neurotransmitter
dopamine.
 True. Researchers have found that even years after
Methamphetamine users have stopped using the
drug, their dopamine neurons are still damaged.
"It all started out with that first hit.
Just something to take the pain away. I
was only on Meth for 6 months, but
those were the worst months of my
life. I lost my virginity and I tried
suicide several times."
Anonymous female
(age 21)