1. What is Methamphetamine?
A very powerful stimulant
A highly addictive, synthetic drug
A powder or crystallized form
Can be taken orally (tablet), injected, or inhaled (smoked), absorbed through skin
Methamphetamine stimulates release and blocks re-uptake of neurotransmitters called monoamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin) in the brain.

2. Addiction Potential 42% of first time users go on to 2nd use.
84% of 2nd time users go on to develop regular use.
OHSU.Org

3. Physiological Impact
Increased metabolic rate, heart rate, and blood pressure (blood flow restricted as vessels contract)
Body temperature rises (sweat glands shut down; more prevalent in men than women)
Body energy surges, excessive activity may result
Loss of appetite as digestive tract slows down
Extreme euphoria within 5-20 minutes
Enhanced sociability
Increased sexual arousal; loss of inhibitions

4. Phases of Meth Use Rush (5-30 minutes): all about pleasure
High (4-16 hours): aggressive & argumentative
Binge (3-15 days): hyperactivity
Tweaking (most dangerous): hallucinations
Crash (1-3 days): mostly asleep
Normal (2-14 days): back to a slightly deteriorated normal state
Withdrawal (30-90 days): depression, lethargy, cravings, suicidal tendencies

5. Negative Side Effects: Immediate and Long-term
Stroke
Cardiac arrhythmia
Stomach cramps
Convulsions & shaking
Significant weight loss
Lung disorders similar to asbestos exposure
Insomnia
Chronic sinus infections; deviated septum
Paranoia and hallucinations; high-level anxiety; aggression
Brain damage; risk factor for development of Parkinson’s
Skin rashes and dental decay; burns
Poor personal hygiene (bathing is physically uncomfortable)

6. The Faces of Meth

7. Homemade Meth Ingredients
Pseudoephedrine
Red phosphorous (matches)
Drain cleaner
Sulfuric acid
Paint thinner
Iodine
Freon
Driveway cleaner
Lye
Acetone (nail polish remover)
Methanol (brake fluid)
Ammonia
Ether
Lithium metal (batteries)
Pesticide
Anhydrous ammonia

8. Shake and Bake Meth

9. “Parents who are addicted to drugs have a primary commitment to chemicals, not to their children.”
Beckwith, 1989

10. Meth Mouth
The drug causes the salivary glands to dry out, which allows the mouth's acids to eat away at the tooth enamel, causing cavities.

11. Meth Bugs

12. How Does Meth Impact Brain Function?
Immediately begins to change brain chemistry
Damages neurons more severely in ways that other drugs do not
Not all areas of the brain affected: centers for reward, memory, and judgment are most heavily impacted
Profound changes in dopamine and seratonin systems
PET scans resemble Parkinson’s patients
Brain chemistry resembles paranoid schizophrenics
In children, integration of sensory-based functions is most vulnerable

13. The Brain Chemistry Effect

14. Nerve Cell Damage

15. PET Scan of Meth User

16. Loss of Memory, Emotion, and Reward Systems in the Meth Brain

17. Brain Scans: Healthy vs. a 15-year user of Meth

18. Meth and the Brain
Click Here

19. How Does Meth Hurt Children?

20. Double Jeopardy for Children
Children are at risk due to prenatal exposure and postnatal environmental effects
Poverty
Chaotic and dangerous lifestyles
Symptoms of psychopathology (personality disorders, depressive symptoms)
History of sexual abuse
Domestic violence

21. IDEAL Study
The Infant Development, Environment and Lifestyle (IDEAL Study: Dr. Barry Lester of Brown University)
Clinical outcomes:
- smaller head size
- evidence of feeding difficulties
- sleep disturbances
- delays in development domains
- ADD
- early and multiple interventions produce positive outcomes (healthcare, mental health, social services)

22. Recognizing a Meth House
Unusual odors (ammonia, ether, cat urine, rotten eggs, or old mayonnaise)
Covered windows
Strange ventilation
Elaborate security
Dead vegetation
Excessive/unusual trash
Frequent visitors and/or deliveries
Uncharacteristic display of wealth
Round-the-clock activity, followed by quiet days

23. Recognizing Meth Production
An unusually large supply of main meth ingredients in the home or trash
- blister packs of cold meds (Sudafed or comparable), batteries, camp fuel, and others
Presence of equipment or apparatus used to make meth
- stained coffee filters, funnels, turkey basters, improvised glassware, tubing

25. Treatment & Recommendations

26. What About Treatment?
Communities are unprepared for treatment of meth addicts (effective 40-50%)
Meth addicts are particularly challenging:
*poor engagement rates
*high drop-out rates
*high relapse rates
*protracted depression, paranoia, anxiety
Some emerging info on histamine effect (OHSU)
First 4-6 months of treatment are most critical to recovery