Crystal meth, known by the street names ice and crank, has been around since the 1960s and experienced a spike in use in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While the drug has been targeted toward adults, the increase in availability has led to greater use among young people. The potent effects of crystal meth make it one of the most dangerous drugs available on the streets today, but even more damaging are the long-term consequences that can affect your health and life from years down the road—even if you stop using crystal meth completely.
A look at an illicit drug epidemic that affects millions of young people
Meth is one of the most addictive drugs in the world, and it can be devastating to those who take it. Not only does meth use affect mood and energy levels, but it also affects brain function, which causes people to experience psychosis. The effects on a person’s health are many and varied, including kidney failure, tooth decay and skin lesions. There are also serious mental health effects like depression and anxiety that can last long after someone has stopped taking meth.
Effects on physical health
Crystal meth use can lead to irreversible health consequences, such as permanent damage to blood vessels in the brain and heart. Other physical effects include increased risk for contracting diseases like HIV and hepatitis C; sudden weight loss; acne or skin lesions from picking at skin; tooth decay from poor oral hygiene and mouth sores from poor nutrition.
Effects on mental health
Crystal meth is a powerfully addictive drug that’s destructive to one’s physical and mental health. It can lead to psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, and even suicidal thoughts. And while adults who use crystal meth are more likely to be addicted, youth are at a higher risk for developing addiction because they’re still developing their brains. Plus, the drug can cause major damage to the brain’s memory center and impact its ability to make new memories. For someone who’s using this type of amphetamine, this may mean that they have trouble remembering what happened during the time they were high or don’t remember anything from before they started using it.
Effects on family life
The ripple effect of meth on families is tremendous. Parents who are addicts often neglect their children and put them in grave danger by exposing them to drugs, violence, sexual abuse, and other risky behavior. When parents are addicted to meth, they become paranoid and go days without sleep. This leads to numerous problems with mental health such as depression and anxiety or physical conditions like heart disease and stroke. Addicts also have a higher risk for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes or cancer due to poor diet choices and lack of medical care.
Consequences in the workplace
- Difficulty finding employment due to being fired from most jobs for attendance issues and/or possession of drugs on the job.
- A shortened lifespan due to increased risk for overdose, suicide, chronic health problems, heart attack and stroke.
- Inability to form healthy relationships with other people because they lack empathy and have a tendency to be aggressive or violent.
- Increased risk for Hepatitis C, HIV or tuberculosis because they often share needles in order to inject crystal meth.
Consequences in school life
Crystal meth use has been shown to have a negative effect on school life. The drug can cause changes in mood, including paranoia, anxiety and aggression. Users often experience changes in appetite and sleep patterns. They may also have trouble focusing and paying attention in class, which can lead to problems with teachers and other students. These problems can make it difficult to succeed in school or maintain relationships with classmates.
Students who smoke crystal meth are at risk for impaired memory function later on in life as well as increased risk for stroke and heart attack, both of which may be due to the additional stress placed on their cardiovascular system.
