Crystal Meth Addiction.. Devestating
December 1, 2007
The images in my last month local newspaper was enough to make anyone stop for a moment and see the devastating effect of crystal meth (Crystal methamphetamine) now becoming more mainstream and reaching epidemic proportion.
The newspaper featured stories about young men and women who went from being excellent students, good mothers, good fathers, all in all good citizen to becoming shameful addicts who won’t stop at anything to get their next fix.
What really captured my attention was the transformation of these beautiful men and women. How they went from being handsome to find themself looking old and sickly after they have started using crystal meth. Beside looking old and sickly, they had all kinds of lesions on their bodies, which I later found out is called crank bugs (feeling that bugs are crawling on your skin). The lesions are caused by constantly scratching your body from the itch.
Crystal Meth, HIV and HEP C
December 1, 2007
Why is there an association between crystal meth and viruses like HIV and Hepatitis?
The association between crystal meth and HIV transmission is related to: 1) the tendency of many people to engage in unprotected and uninhibited sex while under the influence of crystal meth and 2) the risks associated with injection drug use for those who shoot speed. In terms of sexual transmission, many people when high on crystal meth do not use condoms and may have sex with many different sex partners during a speed run. And even if they do use condoms, the lengthy and rougher sex that often results in a much higher likelihood that the condom will break. Additionally, some men who have receptive anal sex while on speed are less sensitive to pain responses and may be inclined to have more aggressive sex for longer periods where injury is more likely to occur and the risk of HIV infection is increased.
There is also a high risk for transmitting Hepatitis B and C for many of the reasons mentioned above. Like HIV, Hepatitis B can be transmitted through unprotected sex or through sharing of syringes and injection supplies. Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through blood to blood contact, usually by sharing syringes or other injection equipment.
The risks of HIV and Hepatitis B and C transmission for those who shoot crystal meth is the same as with any injection drug use. Any sharing of syringes or the various items used in preparing to inject the drug can pass these viruses.
Further increasing the likelihood of HIV transmission among crystal meth users is the fact that gay men who use crystal meth have a much higher rate of HIV prevalence than gay men who don’t use speed. Different studies have found that gay men who use crystal methamphetamine are two to three to four times more likely to be infected with HIV.
What are the characteristics of addiction?
October 10, 2007
Addiction to alcohol or other drugs may be:
Chronic – Once an addiction is developed, it will always have to be addressed. An addict may manage to stop using alcohol or other drugs for significant periods of time, but the disease typically does not disappear. Rather, it goes into remission. Should “normal” drug use be attempted, “out of control” use will return rapidly.
Progressive – Addiction gets worse over time. With some drugs, the decline is rapid. With others, like alcohol, it can be more gradual.
Primary – Addiction is not just a symptom of some underlying psychological problem. Once the use of alcohol or drugs becomes an addiction, the addiction itself needs to be treated as the primary illness.
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