Meth For Dummies

One of the ugly side effects of using Methamphetamines is a seriously extreme case of tooth decay commonly known “meth mouth”. Methamphetamine users with meth mouth are very easy to spot. Their teeth may blacken, stained, and/or rotting out and in most cases, the teeth are gone forever. The length of time or amount of methamphetamine used doesn’t matter. Long term or short term, heavy user or recreational, mouth has been found randomly in all levels of methamphetamine use. No one really knows the exact cause of the meth mouth condition. But very strong scientific evidence suggests that meth mouth tooth decay is caused by acidic and corrosive chemical ingredients found in the drug.

The chemicals found in methamphetamines are dangerous when ingested alone, but together they are even more lethal and even explosive. Chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia an ingredient found in fertilizer fertilizers, red phosphorus, chemical is found in (of all things) matchboxes and lithium which, as most of know, is found in batteries. Believe it or not, these chemicals are being snorted, smoked and injected into the blood stream by users. The acidic toxic combination of these chemicals begin to erode the users tooth enamel which id the protective coating on the teeth making them susceptible to further decay by other means. Ingested methamphetamines shrink the blood vessels and this limits the constant flow of blood he mouth needs to remain healthy.

Continued methamphetamine use shrinkage the vessels eventually die and the tissues of the mouth decay and rot. Methamphetamine use cause a symptom called “dry mouth” (xerostomia). Dry mouth is a lack of enough saliva. Saliva is the mouths natural defense to help protect the mouth from normal everyday food and liquid acids. Without it the mouth is vulnerable to corrosive acids of foods and the chemicals found in methamphetamines. The food acids and dangerous methamphetamine chemicals begin to eat away the gums and literally destroy the user’s mouth. The user’s teeth and gums will become weak and of course cavities will result. These cavities are attacked by the sugary junk foods and acidic sodas that methamphetamine abuser have been known to crave while high on methamphetamine. Also, methamphetamine abuse will cause the user to clench and grind their teeth compulsively and neglect their oral hygiene.

All this negative activity of drug use and the chemicals in the drug, unhealthy diet and a strong desire for sugary foods and drinks, compulsive tooth grinding and oral hygiene neglect literally makes the methamphetamine user’s mouth a toxic waste dump. Many meth mouth victims suffer irreparable damage to the mouth teeth and gums and have had to have major oral surgery. Many are not in a financial position to pay such procedures and will have to live with this horrible condition for the rest of their lives.

Most methamphetamine users get hooked after just one hit. The feeling of a methamphetamine high has been described by known users as euphoric, exhilarating and unbelievable. These are but few of the descriptions of a methamphetamine high. But don’t let the good reports of its initial affects fool you. Methamphetamine is a very dangerous drug and its effects on the brain are a major reason why user’s neglect not only their oral hygiene, methamphetamine users will disrupt their lives and the lives of friends and family in pursuit of this deadly drug.

Your Mind on Meth

Methamphetamine releases rush of dopamine which causes a euphoric feeling in the user. But after long term use methamphetamines will eventually destroy the “dopamine receptors”. When that happens, the user will find it virtually impossible to feel pleasure. If user stops using the drug the pleasure centers can heal over time but the user mind may be permanently damaged. Methamphetamine addicts who use chronically exhibit psychotic behavior and other serious symptoms such as; insomnia, severe paranoia, aggression, anxiety, delusions and hallucinations. Some have died.

The chronic user of methamphetamines has his/ her brain chemistry changed. It as if the brain has been rearranged and reprogrammed. The process of cell and tissue repair can take methamphetamine user years and still the all of what was lost may never return. The damage done to brain cell and the mind, according to doctors, is similar to the mental impairment, memory impairment, judgment and motor coordination seen in people who have Parkinson’s Disease.

Methamphetamine addicts can become extremely aggressive and very violent. This is because methamphetamines make the brain release not only dopamine but also large doses of adrenaline released into the body. This abnormal amount of adrenaline causes the body to go “on guard” so to speak. The body becomes overly cautious, paranoid, attentive, wakeful and very focused and anxious. This is called “tweaking”. When users are tweaking off of methamphetamines they become really hyperactive and obsessive in their daily behavior. Severe tweaking users are prone to become paranoid and violent. Some tweaking methamphetamine addicts have been known to pick at themselves as if bugs are crawling on their skin and face. This makes user appearances go from attractive and healthy to very unattractive and sickly. Methamphetamines simply destroy the tissues and blood vessels making it difficult or the body to repair itself as it should normally. Pimples and acne, sores appear and do not heal as it normally would. The skin begins to lose its elasticity and the methamphetamine abuser begins to look a lot older then they are. This condition works against the user as does the meth mouth conditions, the unhealthy life style and steady drug use to deteriorate the users mind and body.

As you can see, using methamphetamine is not in your best interest. The negative effects of the drug far outweigh any pleasurable or euphoric feelings on many temporarily experiences while under the drugs influence. Narconon of Georgia would like you to get the facts about methamphetamine use and the abuse of all drugs. Visit us at www.drugsno.com and remember to always be aware of what your child is up to. A noisy parent is a good parent.