[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.They go on binges called runs, during which they inject, snort, or smoke cocainesometimes as frequently as every ten minutes in order to stay on a constant high, using up tremendous amountsof energy.CrashingThe body metabolizes (breaks down) cocaine very rapidly, so the high disappears suddenly.Then the userexperiences a crash feelings of depression that may last for hours, days, or weeks.One addict told a typicalstory of going without sleep for four or five days at a time, eating almost nothing, until he was exhausted orused up all his drugs.Then he would crash; he became terribly depressed, felt like dying, and experiencedtremendous fatigue and insatiable hunger.After a day of sleep, the cycle would begin again.Many cocaine addicts use downers to come off a high in order to avoid crashing.They often use drugs such asalcohol, Valium, or heroin, creating a vicious cycle and becoming dependent on the second drug.Withdrawal from cocaine or amphetamines is another problem.It is not the same as crashing, although thesymptoms are similar.After going through a binge and crash cycle, an abuser may start feeling better after afew days and may believe that he or she is not really dependent on the drug.But within weeks, withdrawalsymptoms set in: mental depression, fatigue, lack of energy, and absence of motivation, along with an intensecraving for the drug that is nearly impossible to resist unless the user is in treatment.Remaining in theenvironment associated with drug use is dangerous because the user is surrounded by cues that trigger thecraving.One former user related that for months after quitting, the sight of bare arms revived an almostirresistible urge for drugs again.5 Many people are not aware that withdrawal symptoms can last for at leastseveral months, and that the danger for relapse remains high, especially if treatment is discontinued too soon.AmphetaminesBenzedrine was the first amphetamine to be marketed.During the 1930s it was used in inhalers as a nasaldecongestant, and in tablet and injectable forms for treatment of depression, narcolepsy (a conditioncharacterized by sudden spells of sleep during the day), and a few other disorders.However, benzedrine andother amphetamines soon became popular for their fatigue-fighting effects among students, truck drivers, andothers who needed to stay awake for long periods.In the 1950s and 1960s, they were manufactured in hugequantities with no controls by the Food and Drug Administration, and were widely used for their stimulant andappetite-suppressing effects.In 1962, an estimated 8 billion amphetamine tablets were produced worldwide.6Many people began abusing these drugs, which were easily available at that time.After the federal governmenttightened regulations in 1970, the drugs were manufactured and bought illegally.MethThere are many street versions of speed, but methamphetamine, or ''meth," is the current favorite.It is cheaperthan cocaine and the high lasts longer.In the 1990s, a new and potent smokable form known as ice wasdeveloped illegally.Smoking ice results in a rapid and intense high, its effects last longer than those of crackcocaine, and it results in a higher incidence of overdoses and bad side effects, such as hallucinations anddisturbed behavior and speech.7ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINEMethamphetamine is a stimulant drug chemically related to amphetaminebut with stronger effects on the central nervous system.Street names forthe drug include "speed," "meth," and ''crank."Methamphetamine is used in pill form, or in powdered form by snortingor injecting.Crystallized methamphetamine known as "ice," "crystal,"or "glass" is a smokable and more powerful form of the drug.The effects of methamphetamine use include:" increased heart rate and blood pressure" increased wakefulness; insomnia" increased physical activity" decreased appetite" respiratory problems" extreme anorexia" hyperthermia, convulsions, andcardiovascular problems, whichcan lead to death" euphoria" irritability" confusion" tremors" anxiety, paranoia, or violent behavior" possible irreversible damage to blood vesselsin the brain, producing strokesMethamphetamine users who inject the drug and share needles are at riskfor acquiring HIV/AIDS.Methamphetamine is an increasingly popular drug at raves (all nightdancing parties), and as part of a number of drugs used by college-agestudents.Marijuana and alcohol are commonly listed as additional drugs of abuseamong methamphetamine treatment admissions.Most of the methamphetamine-related deaths (92%) reported in 1994involved methamphetamine in combination with at least one other drug,most often alcohol (30%), heroin (23%), or cocaine (21%).Researchers continue to study the long-term effects of methamphetamineuse.Today's meth (crystal, crank, speed) is as addictive as crack, with highs that can last as long as eight hours.Users tend to be white, blue-collar males.Meth production is believed to be one of the fastest-growing cottageindustries in the Midwest [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]