Methamphetamine Abuse in Teens
Methamphetamine abuse is a public health issue. The number of methamphetamine or
meth cases treated in the United States increased from “41,045 to 149,215 incidents per year
from 1996 to 2006- a 364% increase”. The spread of methamphetamine abuse can be “likened to
a epidemic running rampant through the population” (“What is Meth”). Meth is a highly
addictive “nervous system stimulant” (“Meth (Methamphetamine) Addiction”). Meth creates
increased “wakefulness and insomnia allowing people to work extra shifts and push their bodies
past the normal limits, it is also an appetite suppression. Some long turn symptoms of meth
include heart attack, stroke, obsessive behavioral tendencies and death” (“Meth
(Methamphetamine) Addiction”). Meth is a huge problem in our country especially in the
western states like California. Meth has invaded small working class towns because of its ability
to allow workers to take on multiple shifts. In teens it gives them an escape from their reality into
a “euphoric state, it is also often used as a weight loss method” (“Meth (Methamphetamine)
Addiction”). Meth is an issue that effects our society and needs to be dealt with. The only way to
successfully end the cycle of ignorance is to educate teens about what meth will do to their
bodies and the rest of their lives.
Methamphetamine or more commonly known as meth is a problem among teens. Teens
abuse meth for a myriad of reasons some of which include weight loss and emotional
detachment. Often times teens are pressured into taking meth because they see their friends
taking meth. Teens will take meth for the rapid weight loss that occurs in the first six weeks of
use. The rapid weight loss they experience does not last long tapering off after about six weeks
leaving the user addicted to meth and suffering from drug abuse symptoms also the side effects
of the weight loss can be fatal. Another reason teens abuse meth is to feel emotional detachment
or the euphoric high that can be experienced when taking the drug. This “high” or feeling of
detachment does not last long and requires the user to take larger and larger doses. The emotional
detachment teens seek usually comes from depression. They take the drug seeking an alternate
reality more pleasant to their own. But these large doses lead to severe side effect and addiction
to meth (“Meth (Methamphetamine) Addiction”). Methamphetamine is a problem among teens
and it needs to be rectified because meth causes so many teens to ruin their lives.
Methamphetamine causes many severe symptoms especially among teens. Some
symptoms of meth include severe weight loss during the first six weeks, increased blood
pressure, and tooth decay caused by acidity and tooth grinding. Meth causes severe weight loss
because it is an appetite suppressant. It also causes the body to burn more calories due to the
burst of energy users experience. A second symptom of meth is increased wakefulness and
insomnia (Helmenstine). This is often why meth is taken by adults and college student who need
to stay awake for work or studies. Teens will also take meth for the increased energy they
experience. A third symptom of meth is tooth decay or “Meth Mouth”. Meth mouth is caused by
the highly acidic compounds found in meth and tooth grinding brought on by withdrawal these
things coupled together lead to severe damage to the teeth and or tooth loss (“Meth
(Methamphetamine) Addiction”). Meth has many serious side effects and causes severe damage
to the human body during and after use. Meth destroys the human body leaving its users
toothless, covered in sores and quite often dead.
A couple of different solutions for meth abuse among teens are drug addiction centers and
education/prevention. Meth treatment centers help addicts break “The vice grip of Meth and
overcome it with help from professionals. During the Meth detox phase, Meth addiction
treatment facilities offer clients medications that can ease or eliminate unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms” (“Meth (Methamphetamine) Addiction”). The treatment facilities help the users
overcome the withdrawal symptoms with medications and support. This helps them to transition
away from the harmful drug and focus on the positives in their lives without drugs (“Meth
(Methamphetamine) Addiction”). The second, most effective solution to the meth problem in the
United States is education. In Hawaii the Hawaii meth project encourages teens to create videos
that “will raise awareness and deliver a message to discourage teen meth use” (“Teens Invited
to”). This second method is by far the most effective because it prevents addiction in the first
place. Another reason it is so effective is it empowers teens to raise awareness. Meth is a harmful
and an addictive substance and yet there are many solutions to combat the issue ranging from
education to addiction treatment facilities.
Methamphetamine abuse can be dealt with by educating teens. Meth is a highly addictive
stimulant that ruins many teens lives, it could be dealt with by awareness. All in all meth abuse
among teens in the United States is a problem society faces, a problem that has been put off for
to long when it could simply be dealt with by educating teens of the risks of meth.