Addicts aren't hardcore criminals; they have hardcore health issues
On March 6, 2013, I overdosed on cocaine and crystal meth. I was rushed to the … New Hampshire has an opportunity on March 6 to increase access to treatment for thousands of people in recovery before they become criminals, debtors or fatal statistics.
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Talk outlines Humboldt County's meth woes; funding pinch requires creative …
Department Senior Program Manager Mike Goldsby provided the Board of Supervisors a brief overview of the county's methamphetamine history, treatment statistics and prevention programs currently in operation. ”Recovery is possible with support,” Goldsby …
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Question by Liza Shevchuk: Natural Remedies For Brain Damage After Drug Abuse?
My older brother has done many drugs from about 16-21. Its been a year since his last use, and he’s been having some serious problems. He has high anxiety and he’s been having frequent episodes of “weird” (as he calls it) feelings. He doesn’t label it as feeling sick. During these episodes he feels jittery, emotional (even cry’s sometimes) out of control, his heart rate goes up. This also causes him to have insomnia. Maybe they’re panic attacks, but the thing is, what triggers it? This occurs randomly on a normal day. We believe its typical withdrawal symptoms, because he abused quite a few drugs. (Marijuana, cigarettes, ecstasy, crystal meth, shrooms, hookah, cocaine, inhalants, “uppers” (as he calls them))
He has gone to see his doctor several times to get treatment, and his doctor said he has migraines.
-____-
He prescribed him anti depressants and that didn’t help my brother AT ALL.
He does this herbal drop treatment (echinacea, other oils, etc) That help him sleep.
Now we’re trying to find him herbal remedies that would help repair his brain damage from all of the abuse he has done to it.
Thank you very much.

Best answer:

Answer by jannsody
I’m not sure that there will be repairing of the brain damage (presuming that he has that as I’m not a medical doctor :), but researchers believe that the brain is very “plastic” and may form new nerve pathways to *help* compensate for the injured areas.

With regard to inhalant use, my friend actually has a severe Brain Injury from huffing at the age of 12, now in her 30s. The chemicals in products used for huffing are actual *poisons* that were never meant to go through the bloodstream.

Please be *very* careful with herbal supplements or “remedies” (e.g., echinacea, ginkgo biloba, chamomile) as they can result in side effects and/or drug (medication) interactions. It’s best to check with a licensed pharmacist before taking any of them. Not everything that is “natural” is safe 😉

Regarding the panic attacks, some people have generalized anxiety (to know specific event) or other types of anxiety. The antidepressants may help to lessen the intensity and/or frequency of the anxiety symptoms. Such medications tend to take about 6-8 weeks before possibly noticing results. A caveat (warning) is that some antidepressants may cause insomnia (trouble getting to and/or staying asleep). However, there are medications that one may take to help counteract the insomnia.

Even though benzo’s (e.g., ativan, valium, xanax, klonopin) may be prescribed to help with sleep, they’re not always recommended as a medication due to their physical addictiveness. (Some withdrawal symptoms from benzo’s may include seizures, psychosis/mental break from reality, or even death.) Some psychiatrists (it’s best to get medication for mental health issues from a board-certified psychiatrist as opposed to “just” a family doctor) prescribe seroquel (or other medications), which is classified as an antipsychotic but in smaller dosages may help with sleep.

You’d mentioned that he’s gone to the doctor several times, and I’m wondering if he’s gone to a neurologist which is medical dr who can help rule out disorders of the nervous system – brain, spinal cord, nerves. I’m just thinking that to help “cover all the bases” (not trying to give false hope though, know what I mean).

I’m not sure that he’d still be going through withdrawal symptoms a year after stopping the drugs, but it’s a good idea to ask a doctor about that as well.

Pertaining to the anxiety, please show him this government site which may have some local counseling agencies: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ and can click the second link. Then one can click “near you” on the left-hand side of the page under “find facilities” and can type one’s city and state of residence into search. Their toll-free 24/7 referral helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Just an fyi that the first link is for those looking for substance abuse counseling/treatment, and that may be an option if he’s still “using” or having cravings for substances.

A 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), may have some local support groups. The only requirement is having a desire to get sober. One may attend an “open” AA meeting if there is no drinking problem: http://www.aa.org

This site has some common mottos pertaining to those 12-step programs, including “One day at a time”, “First things first” and “People, places and things”: http://www.royy.com/toolsofrecovery.html

Al-Anon is a 12-step program for the *friends and family* of the problem drinker, but one may attend an “open” Al-Anon meeting if the loved one doesn’t have a drinking problem: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org

Add your own answer in the comments!

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Meth is the abbreviation of methamphetamine or methylamphetamine. It is also known as crystal meth. Its street names are ice and cristy. Meth is a sympathomimetic and a psychostimulant substance. Some of its isomers, such as unmethylated amphetamine, are prescribed as medications for hyperactivity disorder. Crystal meth, which is an illegal and an addictive substance, directly affects the central nervous system. When administered, crystal meth brings toxins to the human body. According to statistical studies, crystal meth is very addictive that about 42% of first timers feel the need to try it again while approximately 84% of second time users feel the need to take it over and over again that it turns into an addiction. Most of the first time crystal meth users are unaware of the harmful effects it may cause to the human body. They simply like using meth because it causes them to “feel wonderful.”

Crystal meth is classified under the D-type methamphetamine class accompanied by GIB, JIB, sister, and ice. The following are a few facts regarding D-type methamphetamine:

(1) This type of meths is generally crystalline in structure and is mostly transparent and sparkly in appearance. They look like sugar cubes.

(2) D-methamphetamine is smoked using single-chambered glass pipes or cracked light bulbs.

(3) When D-methamphetamine is warmed up by using small fires or common lighters, it is likely to become vapor soon after forming a liquid puddle.

(4) This variety of methamphetamine starts to react somewhat impulsively, within 3 to 5 seconds, when administered. Within a short period of time, D-methamphetamines affect the central nervous system. Its side-effects, which are easily noticed, typically last for approximately 8 to 24 hours.

There is another type of methamphetamine existing these days and it goes by the name L-type meth. Several examples of this kind of meths are smack, speed, crank, yellow, and grit.

THE EFFECTS OF CRYSTAL METH:

Crystal meth affects the body both mentally and physiologically. The following are the several side-effects of crystal meth:

Psychological Effects:

(1) The delirious side-effects of crystal meth are very much comparable to that of cocaine.

(2) Crystal meth triggers psychological complications a lot faster than the other varieties of drugs. The psychological effects of crystal meth last for around 8 to 24 hours.

(3) Because the side-effects of the crystal meth last for a longer period of time, first time users become even more inclined to use the substance yet again.

(4) Usually, users of crystal meth will most likely use the substance more often.

(5) Because crystal meth causes the users to stay wide awake for a long period of time, which is about 8 to 24 hours, the users are most likely to sleep for a long time after that in order to make up for the time they wasted because of staying up a whole lot longer. The amount of time spent by the crystal meth user for resting or sleeping is usually the same as the time he spent for being wide awake.

(6) Crystal meth dependent people sometimes feel chemically-induced schizophrenia and toxic psychosis.

Physiological Effects:

(1) Crystal meth users often experience a few physical complications such as skin rashes, itching, body sores, JIB sores, and cracked lips.

(2) Speed bumps become noticeable the instant the harmful substances penetrate the crystal meth user’s system.

(3) Some of the symptoms of crystal meth addiction include mental confusion, incapability to focus on the goals, hyper alertness, muscle spasms and muscle cramps.

(4) The effects of crystal meth are also visible through the crystal meth user’s eyes. The crystal meth user’s pupils become quite dilated and his eye movement becomes very rapid.

(5) A persistent ingestion of crystal meth leads to lightheadedness, blurred vision, and lack of coordination.

(6) An addiction to crystal meth may also cause health disorders such as liver failure, lung failure, kidney failure, cerebral toxicity, and a handful of serious heart-associated diseases such as congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction.

(7) Another possible effect of using crystal meth, even in trace amounts, is brain injury.

(8) Aside from the above mentioned physiological effects and probable health problems, crystal meth addiction may also cause the death of the user.

An addiction to crystal meth is totally curable when the proper treatments are performed. There are some residential and non-residential addiction treatment programs available for crystal meth users who are willing to be treated. These treatment services also include counseling. The treatment services include detoxifying the human body while the counseling proper involve encouraging the crystal meth user to give up his addiction. It is really important for the crystal meth user to get an adequate amount of love and support from his family, his peers, and his fellowmen so that he can restore his health a little sooner.

Photo of recovered meth addict goes viral
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Recovering meth addicts share stories of heartbreak
Stories · Video · Slideshows · Money · Pothole Patrol · Lottery Links. Recovering meth addicts share stories of heartbreak. by Justin Andrews. Posted: 05.02.2013 at 10:00 PM. Justin Andrews. Justin Andrews is a Multi Media Journalist with KTVO. read …
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Recovering addict warns of meth dangers
Unfortunately, Georgia ranks among the top in the country when it comes to meth use. Nobody knows how devastating the drug can be than the Harris family of Bartow County. Addiction drove Kevin Harris to steal, and to jail. He is now on the road to …
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David Sheff's Addiction Manifesto
Authors in the addiction and recovery space don't come a lot bigger than David Sheff. The journalist entered this field involuntarily when he endured a parent's nightmare, as his son, Nic, became addicted to crystal meth and other drugs. "My Addicted …
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Question by rachel r: know of any good books on teen delinquency?
i love the books crank, glass, burned, and impulse by ellen hopkins along with the abigail vona story “bad girl” anyone here know of any books that deal with similar topics? i love non-fiction when it comes to this topic.personal accounts are prefered but im up for any suggestions. thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Emily W
Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines Nic Sheff

Nic Sheff was drunk for the first time at age eleven. In the years that followed, he would regularly smoke pot, do cocaine and Ecstasy, and develop addictions to crystal meth and heroin. Even so, he felt like he would always be able to quit and put his life together whenever he needed to. It took a violent relapse one summer in California to convince him otherwise. In a voice that is raw and honest, Nic spares no detail in telling us the compelling, heartbreaking, and true story of his relapse and the road to recovery. As we watch Nic plunge the mental and physical depths of drug addiction, he paints a picture for us of a person at odds with his past, with his family, with his substances, and with himself. It’s a harrowing portrait — but not one without hope.

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