I wrote about The Ice Age a few weeks ago and how this drug is taking over as the drug of choice in Western society. The worst drugs that Baby Boomers used to excess at parties in the 60’s and 70’s, were cigarettes, alcohol and the odd second-hand marijuana joint being passed around the room.

The 80’s and 90’s saw the advent of amphetamines, although it was first synthesised by a chemist in Los Angeles in the 1930’s and marketed under the trade name Benzedrine.

Most party goers in the 60’s through to the 21st Century, escaped long term damage due to the fact that a lethal drug, like Ice, was not available in that era. Most of our livers are very grateful to reach longevity without too much damage. Although alcohol is still the No.1 drug of choice that will kill off your liver and then ravage your brain.

You have 3 choices:

  1. Emotional and/or mental insanity
  2. Death by accident or physical trauma to major organs
  3. Intervention

Alcohol kills and so does Ice. I’m concerned that regular Australians and maybe our friends in the United States are not taking this drug seriously. Australia has one of the highest Ice problems in the world and we have a tiny population of 24 million people compared to 360 million people in the U.S.  I’ve just returned from touring south-west Victoria and spoke to teenagers about this insidious drug. It’s destroying towns and lives and young families are moving away from the Ice culture to protect their children.

Here are the facts. Crystal Meth, otherwise known as Ice, is a nickname given to a crystallised form of methamphetamine. The drug is a powerful stimulant that can be snorted, smoked, or injected, though most crystal meth is smoked for quick and easy access. Once in the user's system, the meth causes euphoria, an increase in energy, and a decrease in appetite. Crystal meth is often manufactured in small amateur laboratories with legally obtained ingredients.

After manufacture, the drug is sold illegally under a variety of names including meth, speed, crank, and ice.  Use of crystal meth often begins early in life during the user's teenage years, leading many young users toward crystal meth addiction treatment.

Signs of short-term use of crystal meth include:

  • Incessant talking
  • Periods of irritability
  • Disturbances in normal sleep patterns
  • Increased aggression
  • Repetitive behaviour

Signs of long-term crystal meth use include:

  • Weight loss
  • Dry mouth
  • Sores around and inside the mouth
  • Rotten teeth
  • Collapsed jawline
  • Severe depression

Crystal meth is a party drug, and has become widely available. This increasing availability has led to an increase in the number of users becoming addicted to the substance, as well as an increase in the number of users seeking out treatment. Addiction to crystal meth develops quickly due largely to the effect that the drug has on the user.

Crystal meth releases dopamine, which causes cravings. With each use of the drug, the cravings created by dopamine release become more closely associated with crystal meth. This association leads the user to develop psychological dependence, which is difficult to break without crystal meth addiction treatment.

The amount of crystal meth required to achieve a high varies for each user. This makes predicting how much to take difficult. Overdoses can occur with relatively small levels of the drug. An overdose can occur in users after taking only 50 mgs of the drug. An overdose can occur very quickly.

Symptoms to watch out for include:

  • Convulsions
  • High fever
  • High spike in blood pressure
  • Sweating
  • Spotty vision

Crystal meth also provides a lasting high at a low cost per dose. One dose of the drug can keep the user high for up to 24 hours. A young recovered Ice addict spoke on Australian National television last night and said that this drug is highly addictive. He became hooked after one night on Ice. He is now a registered counsellor helping teenagers to reclaim their lives.  He was one of the lucky ones. Intervention is imperative if you want your child to lead a normal life.
Crystal meth addiction treatment consists primarily of a period of detoxification under medical supervision, followed by crystal meth withdrawal and intensive behavioural counselling.

Crystal Meth Detox

"Although medication can help to reduce the withdrawal symptoms of the detoxing patient, it cannot stop the symptoms entirely. “Few physical symptoms are experienced by patients going through crystal meth detox. However, the psychological withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable, beginning as soon as the last dose wears off and peaking within 24 hours.

The initial withdrawal period, during which the symptoms are most severe, lasts about three or four days, but some symptoms may continue for weeks or months after the last dose of crystal meth is taken.

The detoxification procedure for crystal meth addiction treatment involves rest and nourishment intended to help the patient's body recover from extended use of the drug.

Withdrawal from crystal meth use can be uncomfortable. Patients going through crystal meth withdrawal often experience multiple withdrawal symptoms. Because there is no way to predict the severity of the withdrawal symptoms for each individual, users are encouraged to go through withdrawal while under the care of a detoxification facility.

Some symptoms experienced during crystal meth withdrawal include:

  • Fatigue
  • Lethargy
  • Increased appetite
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Aggression
  • Cravings
  • Severe depression with suicidal thoughts

Because some of the withdrawal symptoms can be severe, a crystal meth user may decide to return to use of the drug rather than continue through the withdrawal process. Going through withdrawal while participating in a crystal meth addiction treatment program, which often involves therapy and medication, and receiving care from medical personnel can help to reduce these symptoms.

Although medication can help to reduce the withdrawal symptoms of the detoxing patient, it cannot stop the symptoms entirely. Patients in detox often receive anxiolytics and anti-depressants to help with symptoms of anxiety and depression caused by psychological withdrawal.

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, use of the medication may be extended until well after finishing crystal meth addiction treatment. Withdrawal symptoms tend to diminish with the passage of time.

Use of crystal meth changes the chemistry of the brain, but the recovery process re-establishes healthy brain chemistry, which alleviates the negative symptoms associated with ending meth use.

Acute side effects include high blood pressure, strokes and, after large doses or an injection, overwhelming euphoria followed by devastating depression, exhaustion and confusion. Chronic side effects including addiction, fatigue, paranoia, psychosis and sometimes suicide. It is imperative that intervention takes place sooner rather than later

It’s not possible to advise what supplements to take to a practicing Ice user but I can recommend supplements to families and friends of the Ice user. Getting an Ice user the right help is paramount in dealing with your own stress.

We can only help the family and friends of Ice users by recommending supplements, DBT and learning how to emotionally detach from their addicted Ice user family member or friend.

We recommend that family and friends stay calm and wait for the opportunity for intervention. That’s another plan used for substance abusers and need to talk to the family and friend of the substance abuser to learn about intervention. You could also contact your local doctor or hospital and obtain a referral for counselling or hospitalisation, depending on the severity of your young drug addicted family member.

You need to look after your own physical, emotional and mental health in order to cope with what is going on within the family.  As well as 100% vigilance over your offspring, you need to take care of your nutrition and dietary supplements.

Tyrosine Mood Food, necessary for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. Tyrosine is required for the manufacture of adrenalin in the adrenal glands and you, as a parent or friend of an Ice user, may be suffering with adrenal exhaustion.

The state of your liver has a big impact on your state of mind so that those with a fatty liver may find themselves irritable and moody with a poor memory and difficulty keeping up with life’s demands. You could be using food for comfort in an effort to cope with your addicted family member.

Depression and poor sleep may be associated with a fatty liver and these things resolve when we improve the liver function. Livatone Plus, a powerful formula that can support liver function.

L-Glutamine is an amino acid and has been shown to improve brain function resulting in improved sleep, decreased anxiety and a reduced craving for sugar. Glutamine supplementation can be found in our Ultimate Gut Health.

Vegetable juice has been successfully used to clear out fatty livers too. Juicing, along with the above supplements, B-vitamins and Vitamin C, may be a real long-term help. We have a great juice book that’s easy to follow and has recipes to help rejuvenate a fatty liver. Raw Juices Can Save Your Life.

Magnesium Ultra Potent can be taken before bed to assist with a deep and restful sleep. It also helps to reduce stress.  Magnesium is also known as the “great relaxer”.  My book, Help for Depression and Anxiety is an excellent read for people struggling with severe anxiety and depression.

If you are using food for comfort in an effort to cope with your family member using methamphetamines, please read the book, Want to Lose Weight…. But Hooked on Food?  This book will help you overcome co-dependency and provide more information about brain chemistry and addictions.

 

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.