Those who have tried it and have had their lives turned upside down by it agree methamphetamines are among the most insidious, soul-stealing illicit substances ever created. But this characterization does not stop some people from trying and ultimately getting hooked on this powerful stimulant every year.
According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the nation’s medical research agency, an estimated 1.5 million Americans aged 12 and older reportedly had a methamphetamine use disorder in 2020. Most people who try methamphetamines say the euphoric high derived from the drug is unlike anything they have experienced in their lifetime. For that reason, many become addicted to the drug after taking it just once and remain addicted for years before finally deciding to seek help.
What Makes Methamphetamines So Addictive?
One reason why many people say methamphetamines is one of the worst illicit substances anyone can experiment with and become addicted to is because of what the drug does to the brain when individuals take it.
Another reason is what it does to the body over time. Because methamphetamines, also known as meth, are powerful stimulants, they quickly trigger an uptick in the production of the “feel good chemical” serotonin in the brain. They also alter certain functions of the central nervous system. When this happens, most users experience an increase in the following:
- Feelings of pleasure
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Respiration
- The ability to focus
- Excitability
In most cases, the euphoric high associated with meth can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Once it wears off, most individuals experience what is known as a “crash,” which is characterized by a plurality of sensations. And those sensations typically drive individuals to use more and more of the drug, and before long, they eventually become addicted to it. Some of these sensations include the following:
- Extreme fatigue
- Extreme hunger
- Depressed
- Anxious
- Dehydration
- Headache
- Irritability
How Fear Stops Some Parents From Quitting Methamphetamines
Witnessing a parent forgo going to a meth detox center at a licensed rehab because they fear losing their child is troubling, but it is not uncommon among meth users in the United States. In a study published by the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, researchers revealed 1 in 8 American children live with at least one parent with a substance use disorder (SUD), and methamphetamine use disorders are no exception. They further note that most courts in the U.S. will remove a child from a home if they suspect a parent’s drug problem physically or psychologically harms a child. The following are some of the things courts look at in determining whether or not it’s safe for a child to remain in a home:
- If a parent is unable to fulfill work, home, or school obligations
- If a parent engages in risky behavior that endangers their life and the life of their children
- Legal problems involving substance abuse
- Whether or not a parent has chronic interpersonal or social problems
All in all, parents can lose custody of their children if they have a substance abuse problem that endangers the child’s health and overall well-being. But most courts are reluctant to take a child from a home if a parent is getting the help they need to overcome a substance use disorder. And this is especially true if there is another parent or family member in the household who is not on drugs and can help take care of the child.
To that point, parents struggling with meth should do everything possible to end their relationship with the drug before law enforcement, child protective services (CPS), and courts have to intervene. To learn more or for help finding a rehab in your area, consider speaking with one of our associates today. Call us at 833-497-3812.