THE STAGES OF THE METH EXPERIENCE

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/the-stages-of-the-meth-experience.html
1) The RushA rush is the initial response the abuser feels when smoking or injecting methamphetamine. During the rush, the abusers heartbeat races and metabolism, 1blood pressure and pulse soar. Unlike the rush associated with crack cocaine, which lasts for approximately two to five minutes, the methamphetamine rush can continue for up to thirty minutes. 2) The HighThe rush is followed by a high, sometimes called the shoulder. During the high, the abuser often feels aggressively smarter and becomes argumentative, often interrupting other people and finishing their sentences. The delusional effects can result in a user becoming intensely focused on an insignificant item, such as repeatedly cleaning the same window for several hours. The high can last four to sixteen hours. 3) The BingeA binge is uncontrolled use of a drug or alcohol. It refers to the abusers urge to maintain the high by smoking or injecting more methamphetamine. The binge can last three to fifteen days. During the binge, the abuser becomes hyperactive both mentally and physically. Each time the abuser smokes or injects more of the drug, he experiences another but smaller rush until, finally, there is no rush and no high. 4) TweakingA methamphetamine abuser is most dangerous when experiencing a phase of the addiction called tweakinga condition reached at the end of a drug binge when methamphetamine no longer provides a rush or a high. Unable to relieve the horrible feelings of emptiness and craving, an abuser loses his sense of identity. Intense itching is common and a user can become convinced that bugs are crawling under his skin. Unable to sleep for days at a time, the abuser is often in a completely psychotic state and he exists in his own world, seeing and hearing things that no one else can perceive. His hallucinations are so vivid that they seem real and, disconnected from reality, he can become hostile and dangerous to himself and others. The potential for self-mutilation is high. 5) The CrashTo a binge abuser, the crash happens when the body shuts down, unable to cope with the drug effects overwhelming it; this results in a long period of sleep for the person. Even the meanest, most violent abuser becomes almost lifeless during the crash. The crash can last one to three days. 6) Meth HangoverAfter the crash, the abuser returns in a deteriorated state, starved, dehydrated and utterly exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. This stage ordinarily lasts from two to fourteen days. This leads to enforced addiction, as the solution to these feelings is to take more meth. 7) WithdrawalOften thirty to ninety days can pass after the last drug use before the abuser realizes that he is in withdrawal. First, he becomes depressed, loses his energy and the ability to experience pleasure. Then the craving for more methamphetamine hits, and the abuser often becomes suicidal. Since meth withdrawal is extremely painful and difficult, most abusers revert; thus, 93% of those in traditional treatment return to abusing methamphetamine.

Different Stages of Crystal Meth Addiction http://www.thehillscenter.com/addiction/meth/stages-of-meth-addiction/ Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive central nervous system stimulant. Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug that can be made from household medications and liquids. Referred to on the street as ice, glass, crystal meth, or simply meth, it is a growing problem in rural areas of the United States. Meth is considered one of the most addictive substances known to mankind, and several studies have claimed that after nicotine and before crack cocaine, methamphetamine is the second most addictive substance available. Meth destroys the lives of the user and their loved ones, as dependency develops very quickly. However, there are several stages of crystal meth addiction, and seeing the warning signs of a developing addiction may save somebody's life.

Experimentation The first stage of crystal meth addiction is experimentation. During this stage, the user is trying methamphetamine for the first time. The most common way for a first time user to ingest it is nasally, although meth may be smoked or injected as well. Due to its addictive properties, this stage does not generally last very long in comparison to other drugs. Habitual Use During the habitual use stage of crystal meth addiction, the potential addict begins using methamphetamine on a regular basis. As the user begins ingesting the drug more frequently, tolerance begins to develop. In this phase of methamphetamine addiction, the increased tolerance causes the user to need more of the drug in order to achieve the desirable effects, leading them into the next stage. Dependence As tolerance increases and the user begins to feel as if they need meth in order to feel normal, dependence arises. In the dependence stage of crystal meth addiction, the user develops a psychological dependence upon the feelings created by the drug. Without the presence of methamphetamine, the person may have difficulty experiencing pleasure. At this point, they may begin to choose methamphetamine use over daily obligations, and problems may begin to appear. Addiction Once crystal meth addiction has fully taken hold, it is a tough road to recovery. The strong physical addiction created by the brain's adaptation to having meth present makes it very difficult to quit. Immediately after the effects wear off, the addict feels like they need another dose. Serious problems with priority begin to be apparent, as methamphetamine use becomes the main motivating factor for the person. Problems with anger, unstable emotions, paranoia, and delusions may occur. Recovery

As one of the most addicting substances, methamphetamine is extremely difficult to stop using. Without proper help, almost all addicts return to meth use. A detox facility can help curb drug cravings, as well as ease withdrawal symptoms. Although detox will successfully cleanse the body, more action is required to avoid relapse. Inpatient and outpatient drug treatment offer cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques in order to help prevent relapse and sober living houses offer a method of reintegration back into everyday life.
Stages of Crystal Meth Abuse Crystal meth abuse is a progressive disease that goes through many stages.The first stage is the experimenting and occasional use phase. In this stage, crystal meth is usually ingested orally or snorted.During this stage people tend to use it as an appetite suppressant or to boost energy levels. The next stage is bingeing. In this stage meth is usually smoked or injected. People using the drug can go without sleep for several days and seek a euphoric high. Bingeing is also known as "tweaking," which denotes highly addictive behavior and can be quite dangerous. It is very common for a meth abuser to seek the same euphorichigh experienced in the beginning stages. The user must ingest increasing amounts of the drug in order to attain the same high, leading to abuse. Several phases exist within the binge stage.

Phase one- is the initial rush when the crystal meth is ingested.The user will experience increased heart rate and metabolism releasing adrenaline throughout the body. This initial rush can last anywhere from five to thirty minutes. Phase two-This is the "high"phase, which lasts from four to sixteen hours, and people often feel more confident and intelligent. Some may even become argumentative and aggressive or interrupt others. Phase three- In this phase stage when the crash occurs ingesting more crystal meth has no effect. The user might resort to drinking alcohol or and taking an opiate to relieve the irritability and discontent. Phase four- In this stage the user does not sleep and engages in risky behavior; paranoia is common with frequent hallucinations. Phase five- In phase five the official "crash"occurs. Users have been noted to sleep for multiple days as the body attempts to recover. Phase six- In this phase,the user returns to normalcy and although the user never fully recovers from all the damage of the abuse this stage can last up to two weeks depending on the level of abuse. Final Phase- This is the withdrawal of the crystal meth use and signs may not show until several months have passed.

The last stage of crystal meth abuse is the"high intensity" stage where the addict's sole purpose is to prevent coming off the drug, also called "crashing."In this stage, it is common for the addict to experience little or no euphoria due to tolerance. Although there are no severe physical withdrawals one may become extremely depressed even suicidal. Frequent abusers experience less euphoria with every rush. Treatment is available for any crystal meth addict and recovery can be achieved if they are willing.
Intervention for Crystal Meth Addiction When a family member or friend falls privy to a methamphetamine addiction, life can become very narrow. The meth addict puts all priorities that were once of importance and shifts them to the bottom of the priority list. Drug use becomes the primary focus. Family obligations, employment responsibilities, and personal hygiene are compromised. Family members stand to the side and watch, baffled and upset. They want the person they love to come back; their loved one turns into a different person while under the influence of methamphetamine, also known as "crank", "ice", "crystal", and "crystal meth", among many other street names.

Crystal Meth Addicts Can Recover From Addiction

Thankfully, there is hope for crystal meth addicts. Many individuals addicted to crystal meth undergo treatment within a drug rehabilitation center and go on to lead sober, meaningful lives. However, the incredibly powerful nature of crystal meth addiction makes it very unlikely that an addict will seek treatment on his or her own volition. Herein lies the benefit of an intervention.

What is a crystal meth intervention? Family members, friends, and others deeply impacted by the person's addiction - such as a spouse or coworker - get together and draft up a plan. An intervention is an orchestrated, preplanned group forum in which the addict is approached with an offer to seek treatment. In order to properly prepare for the intervention, all involved parties collaborate on a plan prior to the date of the planned event. They combine forces by reviewing the addict's personal history, drug use and frequency, and underlying issues - such as depression or bipolar disorder. Garner the Support of a Professional Interventionist It is recommended that a professional interventionist enter the equation. It is very valuable to have an unbiased, experience professional guiding the addict's family members and friends through the planning process. An interventionist also offers value in that he or she has gone through an intervention many times prior; thus he or she knows what to expect. An interventionist can help family members to settle into a contented state of mind during the actual day of the intervention. The interventionist will tell family members what phrases to avoid - and

when to let comments roll off their backs. For instance, upon being confronted with an intervention, a meth addict may withdraw into an emotional shell and lash out at certain family members. The interventionist will recommend to family members that if such behavior should occur, family members should avoid responding. Reacting to the addict's probes and coercion will only breed contempt, and derail the intervention's focus. When to Make Moves on Behalf of the Family Member Addicted to Meth Family members and friends should consider a crystal meth intervention in the event that:

Family members have repeatedly asked the meth addict to seek treatment, but have been presented with false claims, broken promises, and disappointment The meth addict is compromising important functions such as parenting a child, taking care of an elderly relative, or showing up for work The meth addict is stealing from family members, manipulating loved ones, and acting in selfdestructive and/or dangerous ways Family members want to stop enabling the meth addict but find that unconditional love compromises their ability to stick to "tough love" principles Crystal Meth Interventions Require Attention to Detail In the event of a meth intervention, family members collaborate on which treatment center the meth addict will attend. Once adequate research is conducted on a fitting place - inclusive of an affordable cost, and a reputable staff the family feels comfortable with - intervention participants plan the logistics in great detail. Pre-intervention work involves:

Booking the plane ticket to the rehab center, bus ticket, or car service Coordinating payment with the rehab center's intake manager beforehand Writing out a list of consequences that will occur if the meth addict refuses to seek treatment, i.e. no jail bail-outs will be provided; the meth addict will no longer be allowed to live in his mother's home; or the meth addict will no longer be permitted to care for her daughter until she has stayed sober for a pre-specified length of time Absorbing advice through the interventionist - or through addiction resources, in the event that an interventionist is not in the cards - such as how to talk to the addict during the intervention, terms to avoid, and suggestions for what to put in the letters to the addict One of the ways in which an intervention is successful lies in its ability to provide the meth addict with a moment of clarity. No longer can the addict afford to continue trudging the destructive path he or she is traversing. Unconditional Love and Penetrating the Addict's Heart Through an intervention, the addict is read letters from every family member describing how the individual's addiction has impacted his or her family's lives. For instance, a mother reads a letter to her son in a loving way, avoiding anger and confrontation. She tells her son that she can not sleep for more than an hour at a time as a result of worrying about her son; she cries on and off throughout the day; and she had to leave her job due to overwhelming stress, concern and worry

surrounding his addiction. She cannot help but choke up as she reads the letter to her son. Sitting on the couch in a room with all of the people that care about him the most, the meth addict feels the logical, rational portion of his brain tell him, "Seek treatment. This is the right thing to do. It's time." Hopefully, with a little nudging and persuasion from all parties involved, the meth addict will make the right decision and accept the offer for treatment. The offer for rehabilitation is synonymous to offering the addict a ticket toward a better life, a passport to happiness, an option to live a meaningful life.