Transcript Steve Hanson Meth NO handouts 06

Methamphetamine/
Crystal Meth
Steve Hanson
New York State Office of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Services
J.L. Norris Addiction Treatment Center
Methamphetamine
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First made in 1930’s
Popular in 1960’s - Hell’s Angels
Crystal / Crank - snortable - 1980’s
Ice - smokeable form -1990’s
Started in Hawaii - California Midwest
Meth’s Popularity
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West – Midwest – Agricultural chemicals
used in synthesis – easy access
Northeast – not as prevalent (yet) –
cocaine
Internet – recipes and information
Mobile meth labs – RV’s
THE dominant drug in many places
Making Meth
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Internet recipes
Cold medication – pseudephedrine
Iodine, ammonia (fertilizer), red
phosphorus (match heads and flares)
Rock salt, drain cleaner, solvents etc.
Toxic fumes and waste
Methamphetamine Molecule
CH2 - CH - NH2 - CH3
CH3
CH - CH - NH2
OH
Norepinephrine Molecule
Amphetamine Molecule
CH2 - CH - NH2
CH3
CH2 - CH - NH2 - CH3
CH3
Methamphetamine Molecule
Amphetamines
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Focus concentration/organize info
Effects similar to Cocaine but last 10-12
hours.
Increase amount of NE/DA released
d-amphetamine 3x powerful as l-amphet
Methamphetamine - more potent. Snorted
(crank), smoked (Ice). Easy to make Internet
Methamphetamine Effects
Rapid absorption
 Increases release of DA/NE
 Blocks Reuptake
 Significant Tolerance
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Neurotransmitter Action
Reuptake
Release of NT
Receptor
The Reward Pathway
and
Addiction
Natural Rewards
Food
Water
Sex
Nurturing
Reward Pathways
Ever fall in love? It’s
neurotransmitters….
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Romance = chemical reaction
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releases high levels of dopamine,
norepinephrine, PPA and low levels of
serotonin.
Methamphetamine works on the same
neurotransmitters…but is far stronger.
Meth - Signs of Abuse
rapid weight
loss
 nervous energy
 “Tweaking”
 no “need” for
sleep
 aggressive
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mean
temperment
 compulsive
 excited talk
 Meth Mouth
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What does this mean to me?
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Diminished understanding
Imbalanced emotion & depression,
poor bonding
Physical capabilities & coordination
compromised
Reduced memory & sequenced thought
Serious behavior issues
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Methamphetamine abusers also can
have episodes of violent behavior,
paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and
insomnia.
Heavy users also show progressive
social and occupational deterioration.
Psychotic symptoms can sometimes
persist for months or years after use
has ceased
Methamphetamine:
Psychiatric Consequences
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Paranoid reactions
Permanent memory loss
Depressive reactions
Hallucinations
Psychotic reactions
Panic disorders
Rapid addiction
Meth - Signs of Withdrawal
long crash
 apathy
 depression
 fatigue
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anxiety
 suicidal
ideation
 cravings
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Craving
Trigger
Relapse
Memory
Stimulation
of Nucleus
Accumbens
& Amygdala
Focus on Drug
Impaired
Judgement
Anxiety Increases
Chronic Effect
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Inflammation of Heart Lining
Violent Behavior
Psychotic Symptoms
Lead Poisoning - used in synthesis
Neurotoxic - damages neurons DA, SE
Fetal effects - complications, premature
delivery, irritability, and deformities
Neurotoxicity
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Damage to the Striatum – movement
disorders
Cortex and hippocampus – memory,
decision making, organizing thinking
Map of areas in human brain related to areas of
rat brain damaged by Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
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Synthetic
Smoking High
8-24 hours
No Medical Use
Neurotoxic
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Cocaine
“Natural”
Smoking High
10 - 30 minutes
Local anesthetic
Non-neurotoxic
Methamphetamines
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Treatment Issues
 attitude
 nutrition and weight
 manufacturers
 long term effects
 incoherent thoughts
 impaired judgement
 confusion
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Court Issues
 binge behavior
 crash
maintenance
 prolonged
depression
 cookers and
dealers
Methamphetamine users recover
slowly
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And they are aware of it.
They know if they are not doing as well as
non-meth users in group.
Physical Conditions to watch for:
Weight loss
Meth literally
eats away at the
body fat and
muscles.
High-intensity
abusers often
lose 50-100
pounds
Lack of Hygiene
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Loses interest in personal hygiene
Chemicals are present in abusers
perspiration
Body Odor: Emit a smell resembling glue
and mayonnaise
“Crank sores”
Bad Teeth
Amazing appearance:
Same woman:
photos taken
3 years, 8
months apart
She is 42
Treatment Works…
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But only if you stay in treatment long
enough (at least 1 year)
Coercion through Drug Court is the
most effective model for criminally
involved offenders.
Methamphetamine offenders DO
respond well to treatment!
But what treatment?
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Cognitive behavioral treatment
works best.
Brief Motivational enhancement
therapy.
Short but frequent cognitive
treatment.
Designer Hallucinogens
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MDA – methylene-dioxy-amphetamine
MDMA – methylenedioxy –methamphet
–ecstacy – “E”
MDE – methylene-dioxyethylamphetamine – “eve”
Others
Ecstasy – “E”
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Club drugs – produce feelings of
belongingness, warmth and affection
Intense euphoric high
Provide energy for dancing – raves
Less hallucinogenic
Dangers – teeth grinding (pacifiers)
Hyperthermia/dehydration
Hyponatremia (low salt) water
intoxication
MDMA
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Dose – 80-150mg – “sweet spot”
Cost - $20-50 each
Duration – 3-6 hrs “tripping” – up to 10
for all effects
After effects – Crash 1 day
Depression can be for 5 days after use