Meth is a powerful stimulant drug that increases brain activity. Short term effects, lasting up to 12 hours, include increased alertness, insomnia, hyperactivity, headache, decreased appetite, irritability, aggression, anxiety, nervousness, teeth grinding, convulsions and heart attack. Chronic abuse can lead to tooth decay, acne and skin sores (speed bumps), psychotic behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, rage, extreme violence, depression, fatal kidney and lung disorders and brain damage. Babies born to meth-using moms can be born addicted to meth and suffer birth defects, low birth weight, tremors and behavior disorders. While heroin can be sniffed, snorted or smoked, most users inject the drug into a muscle or vein. Heroin facts show that pregnant women who share needles are at risk of contracting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and passing it on to their babies. Methamphetamine addicts may lose their teeth abnormally quickly, a condition known as "meth mouth". In 1999, the average age of an adolescent in treatment at Caron for heroin addiction was about 17, with some patients as young as 14. During that same period, adult heroin users in treatment at Caron had an average age of 29 - a full 10 years younger than the average age of 39 for those admitted for other drug or alcohol treatment. |
