The Effects of Crystal Meth as an Addictive Substance

There are many myths and/or justification for taking all mind altering substances and the use of Crystal Meth, (meth, crank, crystal, speed, etc.) certainly has its share. 

Probably the most detrimental myth about his narcotic is the idea that it is not addictive.  Users of this narcotic will equate it to a potent caffeine-type substance, and in some ways they are correct.  Crystal Meth and caffeine are both stimulants, but that is were the similarities end.  A narcotic can be addictive at the psychological or physical level or both.  However, all psychologically addictive narcotics have a physical addictive component as well. The level of addiction is directly related to the amount of discomfort 1 experiences during abstinence from the narcotic.  Everyone is familiar with the headaches that 1 can get when they have been drinking coffee on a regular/daily basis and then they abruptly stop. 

The body gets accustomed to having coffee as an external stimulus and when that is removed, there is an adjustment that happens physiologically that causes stress.  However, when a individual uses Crystal Meth on a regular/daily basis and stops, you find dramatic effects on the body.  It isn't uncommon for a individual to sleep for over 48 hours after being on a "meth" run.  The over-stimulated glands, especially the adrenals, will under-produce until they can re-establish normal activity again, and in the absence of these hormones, a individual is barely able to keep bodily functions alive, so it becomes necessary for a individual to sleep for long periods of time while normal equilibrium is being renewed. Meth addiction treatment can take a long time.

Whenever the body is under extreme stress, the individual's emotions become unstable.  In the case of the cessation of Crystal Meth, 1 experience mild to severe depression, leading to suicidal thoughts.  Knowing that 1 can stop these uncomfortable feelings by the use of more "speed" is the simplicity of this psychological addiction and the reason that most people will need professional care to progress without problems through this recovery.