Long term effects of methamphetamine use

[likeclockwork]

Snorting, smoking, shooting. Is there truly such a thing as crystalized lungs? If so, would a dr know what to look for? Heart problems related to shooting, smoking? Vein damage? Brain damage? Will I ever be the same? Is it true that now my brain has been permanantly damaged and has rerouted everything? Will I die an early death? Get alzheimers?


Also, mental health... I've had still some fleeting homicidal/suicidal thoughts. They were rampant during the first 4 month abstinance. Am I crazy now?


Thanks in advance,


likeclockwork

[nofxface]

I used meth for about a year and a half, up until 6

months ago. I quit without the aid of doctors or friends. when you really think of the long term effects of this retarded creation, or it's contents, it's not hard.



i found a new sense of who i was after surviving this

addiction, and was overwhelmed to find that this filthy drug( not much different from heroin) only has a 3% recovery rate. that is so sad. learn to hate it first, and you'll be well on your way to recovery knowing your such a better person for it.

[2-smashed]

you can recover and be normal again but only if u want to be. Meth is like e's it triggers the cerertonim in our brain but if u are a full on ice head then u cannot produce these naturally and u always need ice to trigger it. Its pretty sad....you can become a very depressed person
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[Tom Krusty]

truth be told meth has a uncorrectable effect to somne degree on your mind and body.Your state of mind alters negatively,yet after extensive resistance to the drug i.Your mind can possibly

heal itself to a better state.Derpending on the lenght ,and amount of abuse.Some people ,that s use was unimaginally high never get back to normal state.Nerve damage can be permanent,again depending on the lev el,and lenght of ones abuse.You do take many years off your life and the damaging effects on the heart and liver it has is devastating.Smokers ,may have have lung problems that are irreversible,and?or fatal.Lastly,the dopamine glandin your brain can heal and in due time (months-yrs.)can function again,.It all comes down to the fact that ,the more and longer you use the worse it will hurt you.

[manda]

Cutting backcan help some people, too. You know, so theydon't give up on life completely.

[stv53]

I am new to the group but, Like many of you,have many addict demons to deal with too. I am with member nonxface when it comes to crystal meth.


I too have been on it for 1 1/2 years and I am sick of it. I really don't know why I even use it. It sure isn't for the high. I am 50 now and used to use those tiny whites when I was in my late teens and early twenties. Crystal is no where near as good as those bennies. I made the mistake of thinking that it would be the same. Man was I wrong. Nofxface hit it right on the nail head. You really have to 'hate' it before you can quit.


I see the effects it's taking on this body of mine and I cringe, How can I be so stupid to take something that has no high, or redeeming quality to my mood and yet see the damage it's doing and not stop. This stuff is screwing up my feet, they tingle and get numb, it hurts my joints, my energy, my motivation, every aspect of my being and who I know I am. Not to mention the money 'stuffed up my nose' literally.


I am quiting around the second week of July. I am weening myself off and getting a mind set to quit and I can do it. So can you people. THERE IS NO PAYOFF....it doesn't do shit except 'FRY YOUR NERVES'.


Thanks for being here everybody. And lets always say a prayer for the addict that is still out there using.

[Insane Asian]

good luck man. i wish you luck on quitting. but ill stay to tweak another day <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley10.gif">

[maxmoe]

I wish you the best of luck. God bless.

[skinnyb_1]

gosh im only 27 but i feel the same damn way.i been using for 6 yrs now and i wonder the same crap...why i sleep more then sober people!!i cant understand why i keep doing it either i think its a mental thing lol thats so funny though because when i read your form i started laughing because i told my self after my birthday(because i dont want to sleep the whole thing away) which is july 4th i am taking 2 weeks off of work to quit im also trying to cut back but i too am DONE sick of wasting my money and lookin like crap.i wish you the best of luck and myself too keep an update cause im curious to know if it works out for you !!!!

[manda]

"I sleep more than sober people."


I put off all the things I need to take care of until I tweak. Then I have the energy to do them, the stamina to finish them, and the mindset to enjoy a mundane task such as cleaning my house.


During those sober days, I just huff and puff a bit. It's not all the drugs I wish I could do, but the balance is decent.


If I could, I'd be like rapper 50 Cent, who proclaims "I stay high all thetime I smoke the good shit".

[2-smashed]

You just gotta balance it thats all...Even out the time for drugs and time for responsible stuff...If you can find the balance, you'll be alirte, All of us here still trying to find it, hmmmmm, wonder if it exists??
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[manda]

I may be close. (But that sucks. If I had more cash, I'd be sideways every day)

[abetterperson]

If it helps at all. Being sober is the payoff to getting sober. I was a meth user for 7 or more years. I think I slept for days when I first stopped. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I quit 3 times before I actually quit for good. I did have to eliminate all the people that were associated with it,including my husband at the time. Needless to say 5 years later, he's an X husband and he's still using. Your life will turn around, but it takes time. You have to learn to hate and dispise the stuff and the person that you are on drugs as well.

[Cocaine]

f**k responsible stuff, run around hte area all day doing bnes, f**king over people, and STAYING HIGH ALL THE TIME...do coke.. side effects not that bad

[manda]

Are you serious?

[Cocaine]

yes, y not

[str8ballin]

You're just like my cousin man! He ripped off this kid's amp and traded it for a ball.He got his window smashed out for that one.



Then last weekend he called up a dude and told him he wanted a ball.Come to find out he didnt have any money at all and when the guy goes to hand it to him he takes off running out of the guys house! Now he's hiding out.



I wheel n deal but I have other people do the dirty work,then I take it to my guy and cop some yay.

[HeyMama]

Hey there,


The best of luck to you in your desire to quit speed. You are going to need a great deal of willpower. I was doing speed for about 6-7 months......and then I felt the need to quit so I moved to a different city. I used again in 4 months. Now I seem to use on a monthly basis. Words of advice, if you're not actively promoting your sober lifestyle....you're taking a step back.

[manda]

Also, if you are o.k. with not being being sober and don't feel guilty, you are lucky- many people carry this guilt around like everybody was meant to be in AA or NA. Some people like to get high for a living. LOL


I feel guilty when I always wear long sleeves to my mom's because she knows why, but long sleeves is the lesser evil in that picture. It really made me feel bad when she asked to see my arms and I wouldn't let her (she's my MOM)and I was ready to leave if she pushed the issue (she didn't). I just don't like hurting my mother- as for drugs I love to party.

[searcher]

Long term effects of crystal meth:


Rotten teeth


arthritis


weak bones


paranoia


anxiety


depression


vitamin and mineral deficiencies


lower resistance to disease


organ damage


decreased ability to learn
<UL class=effects-item>
<LI>disturbed sleep patterns
<LI>tightened jaw muscles, grinding teeth (trismus and bruxia)
<LI>loss of appetite leading to poor nutrition and weight loss with heavy use
<LI>reduced enjoyment of eating
<LI>loss of interest in sex, over time
<LI>itching, welts on skin
<LI>nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
<LI>excessive excitation, hyperactivity
<LI>shortness of breath
<LI>moodiness & irritability
<LI>anxiousness & nervousness
<LI>aggressiveness
<LI>panic, suspiciousness & paranoia
<LI>involuntary body movements (uncontrollable movement and/or twitches of fingers, facial & body muscles, lip-smaking, tongue protrusion, grimacing, etc.)
<LI>false sense of confidence and power (delusions of grandeur)
<LI>aggressive and violent behavior
<LI>severe depression, suicidal tendencies

fatal kidney and lung disorders
<LI>possible brain damage
<LI>permanent psychological problems
<LI>lowered resistance to illnesses
<LI>liver damage
<LI>stroke </LI>[/list]

[manda]

I've been doing it off and on for 12 years, yet I've taken very good care of my teeth and hygeine during that time. Your teeth do not have to go- if you aren't predisposed to it, proper brushing and yearly visits to the dentist can sure save the toofins!! I have two or three white fillings and that's it.

[CRACKBACK]

EVER BEEN SO HIGH FOR SO LONG YOU LOOK BACK ON THE YEARS AND RELIZE ITS BEEN REALITY FOR TOO LONG.AND REMEMBER(WHEN YOU WERE MADE) AND HOW YOU FELT BEFORE YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE SO BORED YOU WOULD DO SOMETHING DIFFERTAND GET HIGH ON ANYTHING. (NA ME NEETHER)one day you and stop towonderwhy/howthe rest of the world puts all the shit, and wonder if you really can?Still tryin. and now I think I've become one of the people I used to talk about, and wonder how they got were they are.

[OneDiaDem]

Also heart damage.


The damage to the teeth is not from lack of care. Meth affects the gums, makes them bleed, which results in poor circulation to feed the teeth nutrients that are needed.


This is one nasty drug. Addicts have to totally disassociate themselves from all aspects. Friends, area's, neighborhoods, and fill their lives with sober activities. The claws of this demon are long and steadfast. Breaking the ties are sometimes almost impossibe. Help is more times than not the only way to be free.


I know people who have kicked this habit who say everyday they have to deal with the desire and want, even years after stopping. The good news is, it can be done, and I wish everyone dealing with this luck and Godspeed.

[32785]

it will eventually tear every piece of life left in you to shreads.

[lonely]

you guya are so cool ive never talked to people liked me.