Sunrise Detox Recognizes National Meth Awareness Day 2024
November 27, 2024
The first National Methamphetamine Awareness Day was proclaimed on November 30th, 2006, by President George W. Bush, when the methamphetamine crisis in the United States seemed to be at its worst.
Eighteen years on, the threat of meth has become even greater across the country for those with substance use disorders, so the three-fold mission of this Meth Awareness Day has become even more pertinent:
- Educating current meth users about available programs like Sunrise Detox Center (SDC) for treatment
- Sending a prevention message to potential meth users
- Educating the public about the effects of methamphetamine abuse
SDC is committed to addressing this mission, as long-term meth use can be life-threatening, and a user’s health will continue to decline unless they seek help. Methamphetamine is a potent, highly dangerous, and addictive stimulant that can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally.
As we draw attention to National Meth Awareness Day on Saturday, November 30th, we recognize that meth is one of the most dangerous drugs in the United States, and, most frighteningly for substance use disorders, addiction can frequently occur after only a singular use of meth.
What is it?
Methamphetamine belongs to a family of drugs called amphetamines—powerful stimulants that speed up the body’s central nervous system. It has been used medically as a treatment for obesity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While still available for medical use in the United States, its use is limited by the severity of its adverse effects and its high potential to propel users toward substance use disorders.
Where does it come from?
Street meth is made in illegal labs with inexpensive, and often toxic ingredients. The chemicals and processes used differ across international laboratories, affecting the strength, purity, and effect of the final product.
Street Names:
Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, crystal meth, jib
What does it look like?
Methamphetamine is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that dissolves easily in water or alcohol and may be snorted, swallowed, smoked, or injected.
In its smokable form, methamphetamine is called “ice,” “crystal,” “crank,” or “glass” because of its transparent, sheet-like crystals. It is smoked in a pipe in the manner of crack cocaine.
Who uses it?
These users include young people at nightclubs and parties, and cocaine users who substitute methamphetamine for its cocaine-like effects.
How does it make you feel?
The way methamphetamine—or any other drug—affects you depends on many factors, including:
- Your age and your body weight
- How much you take and how often you take it
- How long you’ve been taking it
- The method you use to take the drug
- The environment you choose to take it in
What does it feel like?
Methamphetamine makes people feel alert and energetic, confident and talkative. Users seem to feel little need for food or sleep.
Users of meth are also likely to feel the many unwanted effects of the drug, including racing of the heart, chest pain, dryness of the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and physical tension.
Immediately after smoking methamphetamine or injecting it into a vein, the user experiences an intense surge of euphoria, called a “rush” or “flash.” Snorting methamphetamine produces effects within three to five minutes; swallowing in about 15–20 minutes.
The effects of methamphetamine can include:
- Higher risk of getting a transmitted disease when using needles
- Severe and rapid weight loss
- Insomnia
- Dental problems ("meth mouth")
- Loss of memory
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
Is Meth Really Addictive?
Yes. Tolerance to the effects of methamphetamine builds up quickly in regular users, meaning they need more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect, and that is what is regularly seen at SDC.
When methamphetamine is used regularly over a long period of time, people can develop amphetamine psychosis. The symptoms of amphetamine psychosis include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and bizarre and violent behavior.
Regular use of methamphetamine can also result in:
- Severe tooth decay ("meth mouth")
- Meth “bugs,” or the feeling of bugs under the skin, leading to skin-picking and sores
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
What You Can Expect from Meth Detox at Sunrise
Your recovery is valuable to us, and you can anticipate being treated with understanding and respect. Our objective is to help you cleanse meth from your system as easily and securely as possible. We'll help you normalize your vital signs and control your withdrawal symptoms. Then, as you begin to improve, you are welcome to take part in one-on-one and group therapy. Contact Us: 561-621-2517 We are available 24/7 to assist with meth detox and treatment.
Author
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Stephen Cooke brings over a decade of experience in international and American healthcare communications to Praesum. A prolific writer and published author, Stephen has dedicated his career to promoting health and recovery across various organizations.
