When you think of methamphetamine you think of it as an illegal drug. Meth is a highly addictive drug that is known to make abusers think and do things that are very out of the ordinary. But there are a couple of medical situations where it is prescribed by a doctor as a prescription drug. It is available only through a prescription that cannot be refilled.
Today there is only one legal meth product, Desoxyn®. It is currently marketed in 5, 10, and 15-milligram tablets, in immediate-release and the extended-release formulation, and has very limited use in the treatment of obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Desoxyn tablets are indicated as the main part of a total treatment program which typically includes other coexisting treatments such as psychological, educational, social, for a stabilizing effect in children over 6 years of age with a behavioral syndrome characterized by the following group of developmentally inappropriate symptoms:
- Moderate to severe distractibility
- Short attention span
- Hyperactivity
- Emotional lability
- Impulsivity
Obesity and Methamphetamine Use
Desoxyn can be used as a short-term, such as a few weeks use, to assist in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction, for patients who are obese and cannot lose weight when used other ways such as repeated diets, group programs, and other drugs.
There are great risks when taking anything that contains methamphetamine as it can be habit-forming, addictive, and dangerous. You should never take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor. Prescription methamphetamine should only be taken for a short period when used for weight loss.
However, if you take too much methamphetamine you may find that the medication no longer controls your symptoms and you may feel a need to take large amounts of the medication quickly to becoming dependent on it. You may experience symptoms such as rash, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, irritability, hyperactivity, and unusual changes in your personality or behavior. Overusing methamphetamine may also cause serious heart problems or sudden death.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, an estimated 12.3 million Americans, or 5% of the adult population, have used methamphetamine at least once, claims a US expert on substance misuse. He also says an estimated 600 000 people are weekly users of the drug.
It doesn’t take long at all for a user of methamphetamines to become addicted and begin chasing their first high. This addictive drug increases levels of dopamine in the brain, causing a very euphoric and awake feeling.
Methamphetamine, when not used in the prescription Desoxyn, is usually called Crystal meth or just Meth, is generally created in illegal labs and made with ingredients that are highly toxic, explosive, and lead to a wide variety of complications and risks. These toxic ingredients include:
- Battery acid
- Brake fluid
- Lighter fluid
- Engine cleaner
- Iodine
- Paint thinner
- Rubbing alcohol
Looking at the ingredients list for making methamphetamine, it’s easy to see that this drug is very dangerous to the body. No matter how a user ingests meth, they are slowly but surely poisoning themselves. This and many more are the reasons why Desoxyn is not prescribed frequently.
Negative Effects of Methamphetamine Use
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), methamphetamine use may worsen the progression of HIV/AIDS and its consequences. Studies indicate that HIV causes more injury to nerve cells and more cognitive problems in people who use methamphetamine than it does in people who have HIV and don’t use the drug. Cognitive problems are those involved with thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering.
The short-term risks include:
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Heightened body temperature
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Dilated pupils
- Nausea
- Bizarre, erratic, and even violent behavior
- Irritability
- Hallucinations
- Panic and anxiety
- Drug-induced psychosis
- Convulsions and seizures
- Death from overdose
The long-term health risks include:
- Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain
- High blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes, and death
- Liver, lung, and kidney damage
- Breathing problems
- Infectious diseases
- Severe weight loss
- Severe tooth decay
- Disorientation/exhaustion
- Long term psychosis
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Loss of cognitive function
Users who continue to use methamphetamine over long periods are also known to have cognitive problems. It can cause changes in the brain that can damage coordination, verbal learning, emotion, and memory.
Unlike other drugs, meth is especially damaging to a person’s self-esteem and mental health. At Allure Detox our treatment team works with meth addicts and is all trained in meth addiction recovery. We have dedicated our careers to helping meth addicts regain their confidence, sense of wellbeing, and life purpose.
Treatment for Meth Dependence
If you or someone you love needs to be admitted into our West Palm Beach meth detox, the first step is to call one of our addiction recovery specialists. They will be able to make all the arrangements to have you or your family member admitted into the meth treatment and detox unit within 24 hours.
Published on: 2020-12-02
Updated on: 2024-09-23
