Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is known by many names, chalk, crank, croak, crypto, crystal, fire, glass, meth, and white cross just to name a few. (I will refer to it as meth.) Meth comes in many forms and can be used many ways. It also has MANY adverse effects on your health; such as; increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite and increased blood pressure are some of the immediate effects of using meth. Some effects of long term abuse are extreme negative weight loss, severe dental problems (also known as “meth mouth”), anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. Chronic users experience paranoia, visual and auditory hallucination, and delusions. Intravenous users also have a higher risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis B and C.

The most effective treatments for meth addiction are comprehensive cognitive-behavioral interventions that combine behavioral therapy, family education, individual counseling, 12-step support, drug testing, and encouragement for non drug related activities.

In 2007, the number of individuals 12 years of age and older reporting past-year meth use declined from 1.9 million in 2006 to 1.3 million. Around 530,000 were a current user that is nearly .2% of the population. The average age of a first time user was 19 years in 2007, which is a lot sooner than the average age of 22 in 2006.

I chose to write about meth this week because within the last few months I found out that one of my family members was a “user.” It is the one of the worst feelings ever. It is even worse when you think this person will never lie to you and then they do. You want to believe them when they say they are done and don’t want to do it any longer but then they use again.

The family member that is/was using has a husband and kids. I believe she started using when she was with her children’s father. She left him about 3 months ago and told me she was leaving because he was on meth. I then found out a month or so after that she was using as well. She has been arrested and caught with drugs on her a couple times and I am terrified she is going to lose her family or worse her life. I miss her so much even though I see her at least once or twice a week. She isn’t the same when she is using. It hurts me knowing she is or could be using and I don’t know what to do. I have tried to talk to her but any time I bring it up she tells me she is done with it and don’t want to talk about it. But I do not know how I can believe she is done after all the lies she has told me. I have stopped giving her money. She used to call and ask to borrow money and I would loan to her. I yet to be paid back and I then find out she was using again. I can’t loan her money and not be able to trust that she is being something legal with. I am terrified and I have told her this but I am not sure it matters any more.