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The Methamphetamine (P) Epidemic (or so the media would have us believe...) – some essential info
Monday, 16 December 2007.
Originally from express article 7 Nov 2007
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
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| Di from CADS on 'The Methamphetamine (P) Epidemic (or so the media would have us believe...) – some essential info'. |
Once again, there has been a lot of media attention around the drug that everyone loves and loves to hate – Methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘P’).
The problem with the media is that it tends to pay a lot more attention to the stories that it thinks will shock people, rather than boring old useful information. Well fortunately I don’t mind if I’m boring... although I seldom am!
What it is
Methamphetamine belongs to a category known as ATS (Amphetamine type substances). They are stimulants. The amphetamines of old are known as ‘speed’ and are about 5% pure, cut with other substances such as glucose. Speed is usually snorted, but also smoked and injected. Methamphetamine is theoretically about 65-80% pure (though some users may not agree). The most potent is crystal meth – which is reported to being about 80% pure. Methamphetamine has a long half life (up to 12 hours). 'Half life' refers to half the drug still being active in your system, and to continue it’s effect, you would need more after this time i.e. Panadol’s half life is 4 hours, hence the recommendation to take it 4-hourly.
Will I become dependent?
Not everyone who uses methamphetamine will become dependent; it is however extremely potent and tolerance (using more to get the same effect) builds quickly.
As with any drug, indicators of methamphetamine dependence are:
- needing more and more to get the desired effect,
- using to relieve withdrawals (even if there is no pleasure any more),
- repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce or eliminate use,
- increasing time and energy spent getting and using drugs,
- and most importantly, continued use despite negative consequences.
The trick is to seek help as soon as you think you (or someone close to you) are heading towards dependence. CADS is a non-judgemental, gay friendly place, you can ring and have a chat on 845 1818 or come and see us. You can drop in without an appointment... After hours or for people outside Auckland, ring the alcohol and drug helpline 0800 787 797.
P and Psychosis
The real kicker associated with using large amounts of methamphetamine is methamphetamine psychosis, a mental disorder similar to paranoid schizophrenia.
The manifestations of this disorder include:
- hallucinations (auditory i.e. hearing voices, visual i.e. seeing what isn’t there, olfactory e.g. a user smells his ‘brain is rotting’, tactile e.g. bugs under skin, gustatory e.g. food tastes like poison)
- delusions – of persecution ("they're after me!!"), of grandeur, of reference (i.e. the TV is talking to me!), of being controlled
- paranoia
- obsessions
- hyperactivity
- hypersexuality
- confusion and incoherence.
If you find yourself dealing with someone in this condition, contact your GP or CADS. If it is an emergency or is after hours you can contact your local mental health crisis team. All DHB’s (District Health Boards) in NZ have a crisis team which can be accessed through your local hospital switchboard. The crisis team are really happy to talk you through your options, and if necessary come to where you are. Alternatively you can ring 111. If you are feeling unsafe ask for the police, if someone is hurt ask for an ambulance.
Life after an episode of methamphetamine psychosis
Once methamphetamine is out of someone's system, the situation often resolves. Unfortunately full recovery is not guaranteed – especially if the person comes from a family with a history of mental illness. Methamphetamine's a bit like cannabis in this respect: it can exacerbate an underlying condition that may have never eventuated until it is triggered by excessive use of the drug.
If you have concerns about your own or someone else's alcohol or other drug use, or if you'd like more information, contact CADS on 845 1818 or www.cads.org.nz or if you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
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For more information, visit their website:www.gayexpress.co.nz
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