Addiction and changes in stimulant use involving methamphetamine

Addiction and Changes (Stimulants Meth)

Addiction can be described as habits of intentional, appetitive behaviors that develop to become excessive and generate severe consequences. The addiction usually takes place over time since they involve a process change and entails various predictors as well as different course. The term addiction has conventionally been used to identify self-destructive tendencies that may incorporate a pharmacological element. Individuals who become addicted to substances usually have numerous challenges and difficulties in altering and stopping these habits. Generally, addictions are characterized by inter-connected psychological and physiological elements to the behavior and constancy of problematic behavioral patterns (DiClemente, 2003, p.5). Stimulant Meth is an example of diagnosable addictions that can be treated through several treatment modalities and methods.

Addiction to Stimulant Meth

Stimulants are substances that derive their name from the fact that they arouse cells in the central nervous system, especially the spinal cord and the brain and forces them to become extremely active than ordinary. Since many substances and drugs have these effects, they can theoretically be considered as stimulants. Nonetheless, certain substances have more stimulating effect than others and can contribute to long-term changes in brain function, which in turn results in the formation of physical dependence (Promises Treatment Centers, 2014). The formation of physical dependence is sometimes the beginning of addiction. Therefore, one of the major effects of stimulant drugs of abuse is the likelihood of addiction and other effects include appetite suppression and increased sleeplessness.

One of the addictive substances is methamphetamine, which is a legally manufactured prescription medication associated with some benefits. The stimulant is addictive since it is highly linked to illegitimate drug manufacturing and illegal use. In comparison to other renowned stimulant substances like cocaine and amphetamine, methamphetamine generates unusually extreme forms of brain changes that promote the formation of physical dependence. This implies that any individual who uses stimulant Meth can develop an addiction easily, which soon become severe. Methamphetamine is essentially a highly addictive stimulant for the central nervous system that can be easily manufactured from relatively cheap and over the counter ingredients. As a result, this drug is gradually developing into one of the most severe drug epidemics in the United States.

Methamphetamine is abused in various forms like smoking, injection, dissolution in water or alcohol, and oral ingestion. The individual experiences a rush that can stay up to 24 hours immediately after ingesting or smoking stimulant Meth. While the method of abusing this substance varies depending on geographical location, smoking seems to be the most common method since it results in very fast uptake to the brain and instant, intense euphoria. This enhances the possibility of addiction because the pleasure fades rapidly and users always take repeated doses in attempts to maintain the euphoria. Stimulant Meth enhances the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to high levels of dopamine in the brain (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014). The intense euphoria generated by increased levels of dopamine in the brain enhances the probability of addition, which becomes a chronic, relapse disease that entails compulsive drug seeking and abuse.

Treatment of Addiction to Stimulant Meth

Addiction to stimulant Meth has considerable health effects such as increased insomnia, reduced appetite, irregular heartbeat, increased body temperature, increased respiration, increased blood pressure, and increased physical activity. The long-term abuse of this stimulant contributes to severe health consequences like serious dental problems, extreme weight loss, and skin sores. Moreover, the abuse of stimulant Meth also enhances the risk of infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B and C. And HIV. The increased risk of these diseases emerges from sharing contaminated drug injection equipments and unsafe sex. This implies that addiction to stimulant Meth changes inhibition and judgment that can make users to engage in risky behaviors that may lead to severe health effects. Therefore, it is increasingly important to treat addiction to this substance through various treatment modalities.

One of the treatment modalities that can be used to address addiction to stimulant Meth is cognitive behavioral interventions, which are regarded as the most effective treatments for addiction to this drug. Cognitive behavioral interventions are used to help alter the individuals thinking patterns, behaviors, and expectations in order to enhance coping skills to different life stressors. This process may entail utilizing methamphetamine recovery support groups that act as effective attachments to the interventions and are capable of promoting long-term drug-free recovery (The Ranch, n.d.). Secondly, antidepressant medications can become helpful in dealing with depressive symptoms that are usually visible in users of this substance who have become abstinent. However, there are currently no specific pharmacological treatments for dependence on this drug as well as other amphetamine substances. Anti-anxiety agents have proven successful when dealing with acute methamphetamine intoxication in cases of intense excitement or panic. Nonetheless, acute methamphetamine addiction can be usually managed through observation and evaluation in a safe, quiet environment.

The third treatment modality is the use of stimulants to combat dependence on methamphetamine. This treatment alternative is mainly based on the replacement therapy model, which has proven to be effective for treating other addictions like dependence on nicotine and opiate (Moeller, Schmitz, Herin & Kjome, 2008, p.385). Despite mixed results, the concept of using stimulants to combat addiction to stimulant Meth is gaining much attention though it requires careful screening and evaluation of patients.