Methamphetamine, how and why it affects the brain, how and why it affects family relationships. Family relationships are greatly needed to maintain an important balance in society. If there were no stable family relationships children would not grow with proper morals or education. Regardless of blood relation or not, a family will still not thrive if it has bad dealings. Picture a world where every family has bad relationships, there would be lack of love, communication, trust, care and loyalty. There would be fewer happy children, kids need a parent figure to look up to and influence them to be the person they are going to be. It is nearly impossible for them to do that if their family has none of the above mentioned traits. Social skills and traits are developed and tested through family and friends at a young age, if there is or was bad influence on a child during this time they would struggle to maintain a barrier between right and wrong. Consecutively they would mature to be adults with bad relationship skills also creating future doubtable families that would furthermore damage the community. It’s not just family’s that need to have good communication, trust and reliability, the general public needs these skills and traits too. We need positive family relationships to hold society together on a larger scale.
In the below report there will be a clear description of what Methamphetamine is, how it works, what it does, how it is made, how it affects the user, how it affects the brain and therefore what it does to family relationships.
In the below report there will be a clear description of what Methamphetamine is, how it works, what it does, how it is made, how it affects the user, how it affects the brain and therefore what it does to family relationships.
Background
Methamphetamine is a clear crystal looking substance, pure methamphetamine has no odour but is bitter tasting. Methamphetamine is used most commonly as an illegal stimulant. Typically referred to as, Meth, crystal, ice, crank or glass. Methamphetamine is a stimulant that influences the central nervous system (CNS). It does this by enhancing the release of catecholamine’s, in particular noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. Which inflicts a high powered feeling of joy.
Chemical formula: C10H15N
Molecular Weight: 149.2328g /mol
History of Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine originated in Japan, 1919.
In the 1950s Methamphetamine was sold commonly for weight treatment and was commonly use and abuse soon spread.
In 1960s Methamphetamine was available in injectable form, spreading addiction and abuse even further.
1970s Methamphetamine was made illegal for most uses and trafficking was mostly owned and run by major bike gangs.
1990s Methamphetamine labs were established in California by Mexican drug traffickers.
More recently methamphetamine has been and is being made in ‘superlabs’ in general America, predominantly Mexico. The drug can also be made with common household items as listed below, therefore there are many ‘minilabs’ that can be kept anywhere from a shed to the boot of a car. Making recent production of methamphetamine more common and easier to obtain.
There are many different processes and methods you can use to make methamphetamine, depending on ingredients and materials there are different techniques used. Common methods include deriving meth from other chemicals found in medicine, such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or nor-ephedrine.
Nor-ephedrine (C10H15NO) --> Amphetamine (C9H13N) --> Methamphetamine (C10H15N)
After Methamphetamine enters the body and ultimately the bloodstream it travels around the circulatory system and to the brain where the majority of the damage is done. By blocking the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine and more commonly known dopamine. Causing a build-up of the chemicals in the brain due to constant releasement. The rush effect then occurs due to the sudden build up and reaction between the chemicals and the neuron. After the rush has taken place the user will experience a more or less feeling of being ‘high’ when the affect is at full potential, usually recorded after the first hour. The high consists of commonly known gruesome and brutal hallucinations, such as bugs under the skin and sometimes monsters seen looking to ‘get’ the user. Most users look to overindulge in the use of methamphetamine seeking the original rush affect that takes place in the first couple of minutes. They enter a stage of taking the drug known as the binge, the binge is an uncontrollable need to use the drug. The consumer has an urge to re-experience the rush effect and maintain a solid state of feeling high. The binge can last as long as 15 days and only finishes when he/she can no longer biologically get high off the methamphetamine as their brain has become too resilient. This next stage is known as tweaking and is the most dangerous stage of methamphetamine use, in this phase the consumer is in an intense psychotic state where they struggle to determine what is and isn’t reality. They suffer symptoms like being unable to sleep for days at a time or intense itching, picking and scratching. It is no surprise that at this time the abuser is undeniably seen as both a threat to themselves and those around them. Tweaking lasts anywhere from 4 to 24 hours and afterwards, binge users are known to experience a stage called the crash. During the crash the user’s body shuts down due to the body being unable to cope with the effects, they become lifeless and the main activity is sleep. This can last 24 to 72 hours. The hangover is what comes next, brutally worse from that of an alcohol hangover the user wakes up from the crash, starved and dehydrated. They feel remorseful, depressed and deteriorated both physically and mentally. The regrettable ‘solution’ for this is to take more methamphetamine. Over 90 days can take place before the user may realize they are in withdrawal, there body craves the use of methamphetamine, the feel depressed and lifeless. They struggle to feel pleasure and it is noted that withdrawal can be extremely painful for the past user. Even out of those who seek treatment and rehabilitation for Methamphetamine 93% are recorded to return due to the agony of withdrawal.
In the 1950s Methamphetamine was sold commonly for weight treatment and was commonly use and abuse soon spread.
In 1960s Methamphetamine was available in injectable form, spreading addiction and abuse even further.
1970s Methamphetamine was made illegal for most uses and trafficking was mostly owned and run by major bike gangs.
1990s Methamphetamine labs were established in California by Mexican drug traffickers.
More recently methamphetamine has been and is being made in ‘superlabs’ in general America, predominantly Mexico. The drug can also be made with common household items as listed below, therefore there are many ‘minilabs’ that can be kept anywhere from a shed to the boot of a car. Making recent production of methamphetamine more common and easier to obtain.
Materials
Materials used to ‘cook’ Methamphetamine include; Alcohol, Hydrochloric/muriatic acid, Anhydrous ammonia-fertilizer, Hydrogen peroxide, Antifreeze, Iodine, Battery acid, Kitty litter, Benzene, Lead acetate, Charcoal lighter fluid, Lighter fluid, Diet aids/ephedrine, Lithium from batteries, Di-ethyl ether–camp stove fuel, Energy boosters, Nail polish remover – acetone, Freon Paint thinner, Gasoline Red phosphorus – matches/flares, pseudoephedrine (commonly found in nasal decongestants).There are many different processes and methods you can use to make methamphetamine, depending on ingredients and materials there are different techniques used. Common methods include deriving meth from other chemicals found in medicine, such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or nor-ephedrine.
Nor-ephedrine (C10H15NO) --> Amphetamine (C9H13N) --> Methamphetamine (C10H15N)
Methamphetamine and the body
Methamphetamine can be taken orally, smoked, snorted or if mixed with water or alcohol can be injected straight into the bloodstream. Smoking Methamphetamine is currently the most common way of taking the drug as this method and injecting are the fastest way to get Methamphetamine into the bloodstream causing a rush effect similar to an adrenaline rush but more satisfying, which cannot be achieved by swallowing or snorting the substance.After Methamphetamine enters the body and ultimately the bloodstream it travels around the circulatory system and to the brain where the majority of the damage is done. By blocking the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine and more commonly known dopamine. Causing a build-up of the chemicals in the brain due to constant releasement. The rush effect then occurs due to the sudden build up and reaction between the chemicals and the neuron. After the rush has taken place the user will experience a more or less feeling of being ‘high’ when the affect is at full potential, usually recorded after the first hour. The high consists of commonly known gruesome and brutal hallucinations, such as bugs under the skin and sometimes monsters seen looking to ‘get’ the user. Most users look to overindulge in the use of methamphetamine seeking the original rush affect that takes place in the first couple of minutes. They enter a stage of taking the drug known as the binge, the binge is an uncontrollable need to use the drug. The consumer has an urge to re-experience the rush effect and maintain a solid state of feeling high. The binge can last as long as 15 days and only finishes when he/she can no longer biologically get high off the methamphetamine as their brain has become too resilient. This next stage is known as tweaking and is the most dangerous stage of methamphetamine use, in this phase the consumer is in an intense psychotic state where they struggle to determine what is and isn’t reality. They suffer symptoms like being unable to sleep for days at a time or intense itching, picking and scratching. It is no surprise that at this time the abuser is undeniably seen as both a threat to themselves and those around them. Tweaking lasts anywhere from 4 to 24 hours and afterwards, binge users are known to experience a stage called the crash. During the crash the user’s body shuts down due to the body being unable to cope with the effects, they become lifeless and the main activity is sleep. This can last 24 to 72 hours. The hangover is what comes next, brutally worse from that of an alcohol hangover the user wakes up from the crash, starved and dehydrated. They feel remorseful, depressed and deteriorated both physically and mentally. The regrettable ‘solution’ for this is to take more methamphetamine. Over 90 days can take place before the user may realize they are in withdrawal, there body craves the use of methamphetamine, the feel depressed and lifeless. They struggle to feel pleasure and it is noted that withdrawal can be extremely painful for the past user. Even out of those who seek treatment and rehabilitation for Methamphetamine 93% are recorded to return due to the agony of withdrawal.
Discussion
It has been previously discussed that Methamphetamine has a negative effect on the brain, so does it have a negative effect on family relations? If a family has bad relationships then in turn the society will also be hindered. There are a few aspects of Methamphetamine that could harm and have negative impacts on family relationships.
The taking of Methamphetamine is a criminal act and therefore criminals are the ones that deal/sell the drug, if somebody's morals are low enough to result to Methamphetamine as a type of relief or leisure activity then who knows what other illegal activities they will result to, especially if they are hanging around with a group of Methamphetamine users. This is going to be frowned upon by more responsible members of the family and in turn there is a possibility that it may cause an argument or disagreement, if and/or when they bring criminals into the families lives that may have an influence on less knowledgeable family members looking to fill their lives or teenagers or young adults that see them as an older figure to look up to.
Health and money also link together to ruin family relationships, the Methamphetamine user suffers from health problems and this can lead to two things. Family no longer wants to generally associate with the user because they have hygiene problems due to health disturbance. Or the family/family member has been compelled to help them with their health problems both of these things can cause an argument and then therefore a disagreement which brings on a negative relationship.
No matter who you are you can always be influenced, and methamphetamine users are a negative influence on everybody it is also highly opinionated that Methamphetamine users cannot possibly have a positive influence on anybody. So if a family has a user as one of their own, and they have the patience to deal with them then they are going to have a negative impact on the family in the way of influence and that will inflict unfavourable relationships. People who aren't affected by their influence may rebel against those who are and this may cause family disturbance.
More so talking about family relations and reactions while the user is under the influence of methamphetamine, the user's attitude changes. The attitude may not necessarily have to be bad for the family to react in a negative way, it may just be the change in person. Generally the attitude that repercussus out of a Methamphetamine user is bad, and may result in violence or acts of stupidity that can harm those around them. this will no doubtedly bring forward arguments and disagreements within the family and bad relationships will form.
Conclusion
Methamphetamine has been proven time and time again that it has no positive effects on the brain or the user's bodily health. It is not safe nor healthy to have serotonin and dopamine being constantly released and reacted upon in the brain. Methamphetamine is extremely addictive and time consuming, you will destroy your body and your life. While under the influence the user is a physical danger to both themselves and those around them. They destroy family relationships by means of influence, indifference and violence. There is no physical, mental or social benefit of taking Methamphetamine, for it has both negative effects on the brain and family relationships.
Public education piece
My public education piece is a pamphlet to advise the general public of the information learned during this research assignment.
References
Foundation for a drug free world, www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/the-deadly-effects-of-meth.html, October 13th 2015
Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.org/methamphetamine, November 4th 2015
University of Michigan, http://www.macalester.edu/academics/psychology/whathap/ubnrp/meth08/biochemistry/dopamine.html, November 4th 2015
National institute on drug abuse, www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-methamphetamine, October 14th 2015
Timberline knolls, http://www.timberlineknolls.com/drug-addiction/meth/signs-effects/, 19th October 2015
The hills treatment centre, http://thehillscenter.com/addiction/meth/what-is-it-made-of/, 30th October 2015
Smart beginnings, http://www.smartbeginningsmhc.org/Why-is-family-support-important-.html, 14th October 2015
Pubchem, http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/methamphetamine, 2nd November 2015
Well written and well researched. I learnt a few things. Thanks
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