Methamphetamine is a highly addictive man-made stimulant drug first synthesized in 1918. (Ice, speed & other methamphetamines, 2014) It is a more potent variant form of the drug named amphetamine and it is more commonly known by some of its street names such as Meth, Crystal, Chalk and Ice. (Methamphetamine Overview : Origin and History, 2014) Meth is available in three distinct forms known as crystalline, powder and base. (Methamphetamine Overview : Origin and History, 2014) In the US and Canada, as well as most places in the world, due to its highly addictive properties and health concerns, meth is an illegal substance that is typically classified in the same category as cocaine in terms of restrictions. (Methamphetamine, 2012)
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the US conducted in 2013, approximately 4.7% of the population ages 12 and older confirmed they have used meth at least once. To put that into perspective, approximately 1 out of every 20 people over the age of 12 has tried meth (Methamphetamine, 2012). Of that 4.7% of the population, each individual is at risk of becoming addicted to the drug due to its effects within the body.
Methamphetamine acts by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine leading to high concentrations within the brain (DrugFacts: Methamphetamine, 2014). As dopamine is associated with rewards and pleasure, acts associated with it are highly addictive leading those who consume meth to feel compelled to seek more in order to reach that level again (DrugFacts: Methamphetamine, 2014). When consuming this drug, individuals feel a wide range of effects taking place. During occasional use, the effects tend to include enhanced mood, increased heart rate, blood pressure, jaw clenching as well as many others (Health Effects, 2014). In contrast, those who use the drug frequently will have long-term effects including addiction, memory loss, organ damage, confusion as well as others (Health Effects,...