Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction
On the surface, methamphetamine may seem attractive. Thus, many people are tricked or lured into using meth for the initial good feelings it brings. Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the meth user experiences an intense sensation, called a "rush" or "flash." While that rush is described as pleasurable, it lasts only a few minutes. The rush is followed by a high that can last 6 to 8 hours. Oral or nasal use produces the same long lasting high, but not the intense rush. Some people start using meth to reduce fatigue and maintain productivity-particularly for tedious, repetitive, or physically demanding tasks or when working long hours. Some people hope it will increase sexual desire and activity. Others want to lose weight. Typical psychological effects of the methamphetamine high include: euphoria, alertness or wakefulness, feelings of increased strength and renewed energy, feelings of invulnerability, feelings of increased confidence and competence, or intensified feelings of sexual desire. Whatever the excuse to use meth or whatever the perceived short-term attraction to the drug may be, the meth high is predictably followed by a devastating low. The depression that follows meth use can be so exceedingly uncomfortable and unpleasant--and can become so intolerable--that, despite the awareness of how dangerous the drug ultimately is, the individual makes the decision to start using meth yet again.
