What are the long term negative effects of crystal meth use?

Question

I know a few people who use meth on a regular basis. I've done it myself, and though I know its illegal, I don't know what the adverse effects could be from regular use. I think everything in moderation is ok, but is this an exception to that rule?

Answer 1

Long term negative effect? Death.

Answer 2

Research shows that damage to neurons containing Dopamine and Serotonin occurs to the nerve endings "terminals" which appear to have limited ability to re-grow, thus putting the user at risk for conditions such as Parkinsons & Alzheimers in later years, if they make it that far at all.


Meth stimulates the central nervous system, causing chemical reactions in the brain which trick the body into thinking it has unlimited energy supplies and drains energy reserves needed in other parts of the body.. This is why meth users can stay awake for long periods of time and then eventually crash, feeling tired and depressed, worse off then than before they took the drug. Chemical imbalances in the brain combined with sleep deprivation commonly associated with continued use of meth cause the user to experience hallucinations, exreme paranoia and bizarre, violent behavior.


What is Meth Made from?
Ingredients found in drug seizures of clandestine labs which produce methamphetamine are:

Lye
Ether
Iodine
Draino
Ephedrine
Brake Fluid
Lighter Fluid
Cold remedies
Lithium Metals
Hydrachloride
Hydriotic Acid
Red Phosphorus
Anyhdrous Ammonia

Answer 3

Crystal meth is the trickiest drug out there b/c there are so many different ways to make it.

Some of the main adverse effects are that your teeth rot out (it strips all the enamel off), you age 10 times faster than if you didn't use it, your nails get brittle. Also, it stimulates your anger and aggression like steroids. You become psychotic also. You start seeing things that aren't there such as people and various different objects. You hear things also.

It ruins your lungs and weakens your cardiovascular system. It can give you a stroke and/or heart attack. You become dehydrated and malnourished b/c it makes you feel as though you're not hungry or thirsty.

Answer 4

Risks/Side Effects: Anxiety, emotional swings, and paranoia are the most common psychological effects of chronic use. Symptoms increase with long-term use, and can involve paranoid delusions and hallucinations. Violence and self-destructive behavior are common. Overdose is also a risk with crystal. Symptoms include fever, convulsions, and coma. Death can result from burst blood vessels in the brain (triggered by spikes in blood pressure) or heart failure....so don't

Answer 5

Chronic methamphetamine abuse can lead to psychotic behavior including intense paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and out-of-control rages that can result in violent episodes. Chronic users at times develop sores on their bodies from scratching at "crank bugs," which describes the common delusion that bugs are crawling under the skin. Long-term use of methamphetamine may result in anxiety, insomnia, and addiction.

After methamphetamine use is stopped, several withdrawal symptoms can occur, including depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression, and an intense craving for the drug. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased.

Answer 6

Oh my lord, you'll look like the most disgusting person in the world. You're hair will get limp and pale, you're skin will get gray, you'll get open sores all over your skin (including on your face), your eyes will be sunken and have dark circles. Oh man, I don't have very much of a problem with drugs but meth is disgusting.

Answer 7

Long-term heavy use of amphetamines may lead to malnutrition, skin disorders, ulcers and diseases resulting from vitamin deficiencies. Regular use may contribute to lack of sleep and weight loss. Intravenous users are at risk for serious, life-threatening diseases such as AIDS, lung and heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.

Frequent use of large amounts of amphetamines may eventually result in mental illness, suicide and violent death. Amphetamine-induced psychosis is a paranoid state that may develop after ingestion or the injection of large doses of amphetamines.



Other Long-Term Methamphetamine Effects
* hallucinations
* disorganized lifestyle
* violent and aggressive behavior
* permanent psychological problems
* behavior resembling paranoid schizophrenia
* poor coping abilities
* disturbance of personality development
* lowered resistance to illnesses
* possible brain damage

Answer 8

Crystal meth makes people look like ****. Check out these shocking before and after pics of users. http://www.crystalrecovery.com/Pages/MethUsers.html

Answer 9

From anectodal evidence I've seen, I'd say no. Last Saturday on 'Cops' was a tweeker gal who had 7 kids!!!! aged, 10, 7, 6,5, 4,2, & 1month. CPS should remove that woman's ovaries.

Answer 10

Here is a pretty good site showing the long term effects:
http://www.skeletonpeople.com/