Health Related Problems Associated With Methamphetamine Abuse In Massachusetts
Author: Todd Lange Date posted: Nov 18, 2008 Article views: 83 Wordcount: 747 Ezine Ready
The methamphetamine problem has been a growing issue of drug abuse in Massachusetts. Over the last ten years, methamphetamine abuse in Massachusetts has seen an increase from almost ignominy to becoming the club drug of choice, mostly in areas where young people frequent, such as the nightclubs and the party areas.
The most prevalent presence of the methamphetamine abuse in
Massachusetts is seen among the youngsters of the age group 18 to 25 years.
This has made the issue of grave concern. Though methamphetamine is not used mostly among other age groups in the state, the fact that it is a popular drug abused by the youth makes the issue serious. Another community that uses methamphetamine to a significant level in Massachusetts is the homosexual community, though this use is not as rampant as the general abuse among the youth. The average population of homosexuals into this form of abuse is between 30 and 40 years.
Though there are several centers for the treatment of methamphetamine abuse in Massachusetts, most of them targeting the young population specifically, the issue is far from being solved. The main challenges in methamphetamine treatment include the large number of withdrawal symptoms that it produces. One of the forms of methamphetamine that is abused in the state is the pure form, crystal meth, which is also known as ice.
This is a more addictive form of methamphetamine, one that produces a very difficult withdrawal process. It is this process that makes complete treatment difficult.
Based on reports submitted from methamphetamine abuse treatment centers in the areas of Boston and New Bedford, the following are some of the effects of a crystal meth recovery process.
Excessive craving for methamphetamine
Exhaustion
Depression
Mental instability
Insomnia and hindered sleep patterns
Anxiety and restlessness
Excessive appetite
It is the presence of these withdrawal complications that play a major role in making the recovery process challenging. In addition, the meth recovery process is associated with treatment for various other health problems that the addiction may have brought on. People who have been abusing this drug since over a year are prone to show the following physical symptoms, which will also need medical assistance during the meth recovery process.
Meth Mouth - This is a universal problem that occurs with methamphetamine abusers. The problem affects the oral area, as its name suggests, and is first manifested by the breaking and falling off of the teeth. Methamphetamine abuse causes the person to undergo various psychological disturbances that might induce them to clench their teeth repetitively. This is one of the reasons why this problem occurs.
The second reason is that methamphetamine causes the mouth to go dry quite often, and these people would not care much for oral hygiene either, which will cause the teeth to degenerate. This is how the meth mouth condition sets in.
Even if the teeth do not really break off, the substances present in methamphetamine will cause a condition of general tooth decay. This creates the need of a dental treatment process that generally accompanies the meth addiction treatment in Massachusetts.
Sexual Complications - There is a huge risk of sexual complications occurring in people who have been using methamphetamine for a while. This drug is known for its slight aphrodisiacal properties (which is actually the reason why the drug is popular in the youth party areas). People use the drug in groups and then tend to become sexually reckless.
This can cause various complications of sexual health, including increasing the risk factors for HIV infections and a host of other minor sexually transmitted diseases.
Meth rehab centers throughout Massachusetts have felt the need of treating their meth patients for sexual problems along with the detox process so as to make their recovery complete.
Psychological Problems - Psychological problems can occur due to many reasons when a person uses meth for a significant amount of time. The substance brings about the release of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, which can cause problems with their mental balances. Stopping the usage of the drug suddenly can complicate matters.
Poor Hygiene - There might be other infections, especially of the skin, present on the person's body which will need to be looked into.
There is a strong program for controlling methamphetamine abuse in Massachusetts and it is challenged by these complications. It becomes necessary to form a treatment pattern for these problems too, without which the treatment will be incomplete and can cause physical difficulties in later life for the person.
