LifeLife+Meth+Meth------------------DeathDeath

A presentation by Laura Strom, M.S. A presentation by Laura Strom, M.S. May 11, 2009May 11, 2009

Presentation has graphic photosPresentation has graphic photosImage retrieved May 5, 2009 from

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/upload/images/Police/meth/tweaker.jpg

What is meth?What is meth?

An addictive stimulant that is An addictive stimulant that is closely related to closely related to amphetamine, but has longer amphetamine, but has longer lasting and more toxic effects lasting and more toxic effects on the central nervous on the central nervous system. It has a high potential system. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction. for abuse and addiction.

Street names: Speed, meth, Street names: Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glasschalk, ice, crystal, glass

From National Institute on Drug AbuseFrom National Institute on Drug Abuse

Image retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/images/meth.bmp

How is it used? How is it used?

According to Wikipedia, the bioavailability According to Wikipedia, the bioavailability of meth is: of meth is:

62.7% oral 62.7% oral 79% nasal79% nasal90.3% smoked90.3% smoked99% rectally99% rectally100% IV 100% IV

Image retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/864000/864036.widec.jpg

How is meth made? How is meth made?

Mainly manufactured in California and Mexico Mainly manufactured in California and Mexico Commonly found chemicals that can be Commonly found chemicals that can be

purchased legally such as Toluene/paint thinner, purchased legally such as Toluene/paint thinner, methanol, benzene, ethyl ether, camp stove fuel methanol, benzene, ethyl ether, camp stove fuel (Coleman fuel), starting fluid (Heet), ammonia, (Coleman fuel), starting fluid (Heet), ammonia, iodine crystals, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine iodine crystals, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (cold medicine), drain cleaner (Drano, Red Devil (cold medicine), drain cleaner (Drano, Red Devil Lye), red phosphorous, muriatic and Lye), red phosphorous, muriatic and hydrochloric acid and battery (sulphuric) acid.hydrochloric acid and battery (sulphuric) acid.

““Cooking” leads to dangerous gases releasedCooking” leads to dangerous gases releasedTaken from http://www.methtaskforce.org/FAQ.HTM#9

What is a meth high like?What is a meth high like? In lab experiments done on animals: In lab experiments done on animals: SEXSEX causes dopamine levels to jump from causes dopamine levels to jump from 100 to 200 units100 to 200 units, , COCAINECOCAINE causes them to spike to causes them to spike to 350 units350 units. .

METHMETH - release from the base level to about - release from the base level to about 1,250 units1,250 units, ,

“…“…something that's about 12 times as much of a release something that's about 12 times as much of a release of dopamine as you get from food and sex and other of dopamine as you get from food and sex and other pleasurable activities“pleasurable activities“ Dr. Richard Rawson Dr. Richard Rawson

"This really doesn't occur from any normally rewarding "This really doesn't occur from any normally rewarding activity. That's one of the reasons why people, when activity. That's one of the reasons why people, when they take methamphetamine, report having this euphoric they take methamphetamine, report having this euphoric [feeling] that's unlike anything they've ever experienced."[feeling] that's unlike anything they've ever experienced." Dr. Richard Rawson Dr. Richard Rawson

Then, when the drug wears off, users experience profound depression and feel the Then, when the drug wears off, users experience profound depression and feel the need to keep taking the drug to avoid the crash. need to keep taking the drug to avoid the crash.

Taken from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/body/Taken from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/body/

Short term signs of meth useShort term signs of meth use

•  •  Stimulated movement and speech (hyperactive, Stimulated movement and speech (hyperactive, staccato, "motor mouth", agitated) staccato, "motor mouth", agitated)

•  •  Dilated pupils Dilated pupils •  •  Feelings of intense excitement and euphoria Feelings of intense excitement and euphoria •  •  Lack of sleep, no desire to sleepLack of sleep, no desire to sleep•  •  Increased energy Increased energy •  •  Mood swings, irritability, nervousness Mood swings, irritability, nervousness •  •  Increased heart rate and blood pressure Increased heart rate and blood pressure •  •  Chest pain, heart palpitations, hot flashes, dry Chest pain, heart palpitations, hot flashes, dry

mouth, sweating mouth, sweating

Taken from http://www.methtaskforce.org/aboutmeth.htm

Long term signs of meth useLong term signs of meth use

•  •  Mental Confusion Mental Confusion •  •  Deteriorating school grades or work performance Deteriorating school grades or work performance •  •  Aggressiveness, violence, emotional lability Aggressiveness, violence, emotional lability •  •  Weight loss (women & young women sometimes start the drug for Weight loss (women & young women sometimes start the drug for

this)this)•  •  Sores on face, arms (formication - "crank bugs“ feeling insects under Sores on face, arms (formication - "crank bugs“ feeling insects under

the skin)the skin)•  •  Diarrhea, vomiting Diarrhea, vomiting •  •  Hallucinations, paranoia Hallucinations, paranoia •  •  Tremors or shaking, convulsionsTremors or shaking, convulsions•  •  Staying awake for long periods (e.g. several days)Staying awake for long periods (e.g. several days)•  •  Sleeping for long periods, sometimes days (after being awake for Sleeping for long periods, sometimes days (after being awake for

long periods)long periods)•  •  Hypertension Hypertension •  •  Palpitations, cardiac arrhythmiaPalpitations, cardiac arrhythmia•  •  Dental decay Dental decay

Taken from http://www.methtaskforce.org/aboutmeth.htm

What causes “meth mouth”What causes “meth mouth” Dry mouth is result of depleted saliva Dry mouth is result of depleted saliva

glands from acidic smokeglands from acidic smoke When users smoke meth, the HCl acid When users smoke meth, the HCl acid

in the drug erodes their tooth enamel in the drug erodes their tooth enamel Users are dehydrated and crave sweetsUsers are dehydrated and crave sweets Loss of tooth enamel, a constant sweet Loss of tooth enamel, a constant sweet

tooth and a disregard for brushingtooth and a disregard for brushing Leads to "meth mouth" with teeth that Leads to "meth mouth" with teeth that

are little more than little black stubsare little more than little black stubs

Both images

retrieved May 7, 2009 from www.usdoj.gov/methawareness/

Taken from http://www.stopmethaddiction.com/meth-mouth.htm

What is “tweaking”?What is “tweaking”?Tweaking occurs at the end of the Tweaking occurs at the end of the

binge when nothing the abuser binge when nothing the abuser does will take away the feeling of does will take away the feeling of emptiness and dysphoria, emptiness and dysphoria, including taking more including taking more methamphetamine. Tweaking is methamphetamine. Tweaking is very uncomfortable, and the very uncomfortable, and the abuser often takes a depressant to abuser often takes a depressant to ease the bad feelings. The most ease the bad feelings. The most popular depressant is alcohol, with popular depressant is alcohol, with heroin a close second. heroin a close second.

Taken from http://www.stopmethaddiction.com/meth-addiction.htm

Tweaking is the most dangerous stage Tweaking is the most dangerous stage of the methamphetamine abuse cycle to of the methamphetamine abuse cycle to law enforcement officers and other law enforcement officers and other individuals near the abuserindividuals near the abuser.. If the If the abuser is using alcohol to ease the abuser is using alcohol to ease the discomfort, the threat to law discomfort, the threat to law enforcement officers intensifies. enforcement officers intensifies.

Image retrieved

May 5, 2009 from http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/

date/body%20by%20crystal_meth_1.jpg

Meth v. CocaineMeth v. Cocaine

MethHuman-made

Smoking produces a high that lasts 8-24 hours

50% is removed from the body in 12 hours

Limited medical use

CocainePlant derived

Smoking produces a high that lasts 23-30 minutes

50% is removed from the body in 1 hour

Used as local anesthetic in some surgical procedures

Taken from http://www.addictionsresources.com/drugs/meth_versus_cocaine.html

Brain damage by methBrain damage by meth““When addicts use methWhen addicts use methover and over again, the over and over again, the drug actually changes drug actually changes their brain chemistry, their brain chemistry, destroying the wiring in destroying the wiring in the brain's pleasure the brain's pleasure centers and making it centers and making it increasingly impossible increasingly impossible to experience any to experience any pleasure at all.” pleasure at all.”

Brain scan images from Dr. Volkow's study. Image copyright Nora Volkow/American Journal of Psychiatry. Image retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/body/ Taken from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/body

Brain damage by methBrain damage by meth

““The human brain on meth does The human brain on meth does not look like fried eggs. It looks not look like fried eggs. It looks more like the night sky over more like the night sky over Baghdad during the first weeks of Baghdad during the first weeks of the war.”the war.”

Quote from David Sheff, author, Quote from David Sheff, author, Beautiful BoyBeautiful Boy, p. 134 , p. 134 referring to PET/MRI scans of meth addicts by Dr. referring to PET/MRI scans of meth addicts by Dr. Edythe London, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLAEdythe London, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

Brain damage by methBrain damage by methStudy by Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the Study by Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the

National Institute on Drug Abuse National Institute on Drug Abuse After more than a year's sobriety, these After more than a year's sobriety, these

former meth users still showed former meth users still showed severe impairment in memory, severe impairment in memory, judgment and motor coordination, judgment and motor coordination, similar to symptoms seen in individuals similar to symptoms seen in individuals

suffering from Parkinson's Disease. suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Taken from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/body

Cost of creating methCost of creating meth

According to StopMethAddiction.comAccording to StopMethAddiction.comMeth Statistics #8:Meth Statistics #8: The estimated cost of The estimated cost of

making meth is $100 an ounce, with a making meth is $100 an ounce, with a street value of $800 an ounce.street value of $800 an ounce.

Meth Statistics #22:Meth Statistics #22: Methamphetamine's Methamphetamine's street value is approximately $3,000 per street value is approximately $3,000 per pound (about the size of a brick), while the pound (about the size of a brick), while the price of cocaine is roughly $11,000 per price of cocaine is roughly $11,000 per pound. pound.

Cost of meth to society Cost of meth to society Increased Increased

domestic domestic violenceviolence

Child Child abuse/neglectabuse/neglect

Traffic Traffic accidentsaccidents

Theft/crimeTheft/crime Lab clean up Lab clean up

costs costs approximately approximately $10K each$10K each

Image retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://neoconbs.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/meth.jpg

““Broken” by SeetherBroken” by Seether

The video “Broken” by The video “Broken” by Seether was filmed on Seether was filmed on the location of an actual the location of an actual meth lab explosion and meth lab explosion and can be seen on You can be seen on You Tube. Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfOYufGFiZgwatch?v=hfOYufGFiZg

Image retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://www.everhype.com/uploads/CS_S_3015_20090304085451.jp

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RecoveryRecovery

“…“…meth addicts may be unable, not meth addicts may be unable, not unwilling, to participate in many common unwilling, to participate in many common treatments, at least in the early stages of treatments, at least in the early stages of withdrawal. Rather than a moral failure or withdrawal. Rather than a moral failure or a lack of willpower, dropping out and a lack of willpower, dropping out and relapsing may be a result of a damaged relapsing may be a result of a damaged brain.” brain.”

David Sheff quoting Dr. Edythe London’s work in David Sheff quoting Dr. Edythe London’s work in Beautiful BoyBeautiful Boy, p. , p. 135.135.

RecoveryRecovery “… “…severe cognitive impairments may make severe cognitive impairments may make

patients incapable of participating in patients incapable of participating in therapies that require concentration, logic therapies that require concentration, logic and memory. Also, patients with extremely and memory. Also, patients with extremely high levels of depression and anxiety, and high levels of depression and anxiety, and who are suffering a type of ‘chronic who are suffering a type of ‘chronic agony,’ as London describes it, are at a agony,’ as London describes it, are at a major disadvantage when taking part in major disadvantage when taking part in cognitive and behavioral treatments.”cognitive and behavioral treatments.”

David Sheff quoting Dr. Edythe London’s work in David Sheff quoting Dr. Edythe London’s work in Beautiful BoyBeautiful Boy, p. 135., p. 135.

RecoveryRecovery

Detox takes 4-6 weeksDetox takes 4-6 weeksPhysical cravings for up to a yearPhysical cravings for up to a year Intensifying cravings at 3 month intervalsIntensifying cravings at 3 month intervalsStrong psychological addictionStrong psychological addictionMost difficult addiction to treatMost difficult addiction to treatAddict does not want to give up something Addict does not want to give up something

that makes them feel “so good”that makes them feel “so good”

Taken from http://www.stopmethaddiction.com/meth-recovery.htm

Henry Ohlhoff House (SF) Henry Ohlhoff House (SF) Recovery Philosophy – ohlhoff.orgRecovery Philosophy – ohlhoff.org

We offer a strong, structured model of accountability and support We offer a strong, structured model of accountability and support which empowers clients and their families to take control of their lives.which empowers clients and their families to take control of their lives.

Based on the belief that addiction cannot be cured in isolation, we combine Based on the belief that addiction cannot be cured in isolation, we combine the critical components of recovery into a unique, success-oriented the critical components of recovery into a unique, success-oriented approach: approach:

Providing a social model of reintegration into the community Providing a social model of reintegration into the community Emphasizing that recovery is spiritually based Emphasizing that recovery is spiritually based Building a lasting community through the 12-Step principles Building a lasting community through the 12-Step principles Operating from the clinical conviction that addiction is a family Operating from the clinical conviction that addiction is a family

disease; therefore addresses the entire family, not just the addicted disease; therefore addresses the entire family, not just the addicted person person

Requiring clients to be active participants in their own recovery Requiring clients to be active participants in their own recovery Relapse Prevention Relapse Prevention Discharge Planning Discharge Planning Aftercare Aftercare

Issues for VR CounselorsIssues for VR Counselors

Clients must be firmly in recoveryClients must be firmly in recoveryClients may have issues similar to Clients may have issues similar to

Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, ADHDParkinson’s, schizophrenia, ADHDCareful placement to avoid prior drug Careful placement to avoid prior drug

triggerstriggersTesting to evaluate cognitive functioningTesting to evaluate cognitive functioningClient should be networked with good Client should be networked with good

support on multiple frontssupport on multiple fronts

Meth use over 10 yearsMeth use over 10 years

Image Image retrieved retrieved

May 7, May 7, 2009 from 2009 from

http://wwhttp://www.macfanw.macfanatic.net/blatic.net/bl

og/wp-og/wp-content/ucontent/uploads/20ploads/2006/09/met06/09/met

huse.jpghuse.jpg

National ResourcesNational Resources

• Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous www.alcoholics-anonymous.orgwww.alcoholics-anonymous.org

• Narcotics Anonymous www.na.orgNarcotics Anonymous www.na.org• Al-Anon www.al-anon.orgAl-Anon www.al-anon.org• Alateen www.al-anon.alateen.orgAlateen www.al-anon.alateen.org• National Institute on Drug Abuse National Institute on Drug Abuse

www.nida.nih.gov www.nida.nih.gov • National Council on Alcohol and other Drug

Addictions – Bay Area www.ncadaba.com

A Few Local ResourcesA Few Local Resources

211 by United Way www.211bayarea.org211 by United Way www.211bayarea.org Great booklet by 211 “Help for Hard Times” Great booklet by 211 “Help for Hard Times”

http://www.211bayarea.org/pdfs/HelpforHardTimhttp://www.211bayarea.org/pdfs/HelpforHardTimes.pdf es.pdf

Haight Ashbury Free Clinics www.hafci.orgHaight Ashbury Free Clinics www.hafci.org Salvation Army Drug and Rehab Services Salvation Army Drug and Rehab Services

www.salvationarmyusa.orgwww.salvationarmyusa.org Ohlhoff Recovery Programs SF www.ohlhoff.orgOhlhoff Recovery Programs SF www.ohlhoff.org