Stimulants, some with the same effects as methamphetamine, have been used and abused for almost 500 years, starting with nicotine since the early 1500s and progressing to cocaine in the 1800s. Although, knowing the curiosity of mankind and the need for an escape or quick high, stimulants were probably abused even earlier. In fact, Ma Huang, a Chinese herb whose main ingredient was the stimulant ephedra, was used as early as 5000BC, and evidence shows the “medicinal” use in the Middle East at similar time period, if not earlier.
Today, the most common stimulants are caffeine, the most common addiction in the world, nicotine, cocaine and crack cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine, MDMA or Ecstasy, and Pseudoephedrine, Phenylpropanolamine and Ephedrine—commonly used in over-the-counter decongestants and cough syrups and sometimes the precursors for home-brewed Crystal Meth.
There are 7 tragic dangers of Crystal Meth use:
- Spiritual: the most damaging effect of all
- Psychological: acute and chronic damaging effects of the stimulant chemical on brain circuitry
- Physical: acute death to chronic wasting
- Addiction: Meth is one of the most quickly addicting drugs of all
- Financial: quickly spiraling out of control
- Relational: many broken relationships stem from addiction
- Legal: problems abound with arrests,
Click here for more details of theses tragic consequences…
- Spiritual
- The most damaging effect of all
- Addiction distances us from God
- Worshipping something other than God and turning toward an idol rather than away from it
- Reaping the Fruit of the Flesh, not the Fruit of the Spirit, by lacking peace, self-control and patience
- Lives are guided by the flesh rather than the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit
- A lack of forgiveness of self, purpose and value
- The world controls the value system instead of God reigning over it
- Psychological
- acute and chronic damaging effects of the stimulant chemical on brain circuitry
- Mood – acute highs when while intoxicated and quick crashes when the high is wearing off. Also depletes dopamine quickly so ongoing depression the norm, this requiring more meth to feel OK to High again.
- Emotions are more intense and right below the surface so many emotional decisions and highly emotional in mild situations
- Irritability – easily agitated and hyper sensitive to minor changes or differences
- Anger – episodes of out-of-the-blue rage are common, often associated with physical aggression
- Low frustration tolerance – minimal ability to tolerate any deviation from their agenda
- Psychoses – paranoid delusions and hallucinations are common acutely and especially with ongoing use due to the dopamine depletion.
- Distorted view of events and environment leading to poor assessment of options and poor decisions
- Physical
- Cardiac Stress due to increased output – massive Fight or Flight response – with increased blood pressure and heart rate leading to possible heart attack
- Increased blood pressure leading to stroke
- Movement issues – ranging from tics, twitches, and restlessness to overt seizures
- Decreased Sleep – leading to poor cognitive functioning, problem solving, and decision-making
- Decreased Appetite – leading to poor nutrition and lack of valuable nutrients for proper brain functioning
- Sexual impotence and difficulty climaxing – leading to self-esteem and relational struggles
- Dental decay as it effects the blood flow to the gums – leading to more nutritional, self-confidence, and social decay
- Addiction
- Meth is one of the most quickly addicting drugs of all.
- Tolerance is rapid, with a need for escalating doses to achieve the same high.
- Withdrawal is very uncomfortable and pushes the person to frantically do anything to avoid symptoms.
- Financial
- Addicts will spend every penny on their Meth addiction.
- Addicts gamble to get money quickly, and also gravitate to the “high” of gambling.
- Erratic and volatile behavior, sedation or a host of other issue frequently cause the loss of a job for the addict.
- Relational
- Meth addiction causes many broken relationships, as the addict hyper-focuses on his me-centered needs with no willingness to sacrifice or compromise for others.
- Communication skills are dramatically compromised during the acute intoxication, withdrawal periods and chronic brain damage in the primary processing areas of the brain.
- Empathy is erased.
- Mood swings, psychoses and agitation burn relational bridges.
- Lack of sleep and impulsive behavior are very disruptive to others.
- Physical appearance and hygiene distances other people.
- Legal
- Addicts steal, shoplift or forge checks to obtain money to support their addiction.
- Illegally cooking Meth
- Associating with others involved in illegal activity
- Dangerous and/or violent life situations