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| Methamphetamine Basics |
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Amphetamines were first synthesized in 1887 and became commercially available in the 1930s. They were initially considered to be safe, and millions of amphetamine tablets were liberally distributed. Methamphetamine (MA), a derivative of amphetamine, was first developed in 1919 by a pharmacologist in Japan. By the early 1930s, MA began to be used therapeutically when it was found to be useful in treating asthma and an epileptic seizure disorder, narcolepsy. More recently, the drug and its derivatives have also been used as appetite suppressants and in treating certain attention deficit disorders in children.
In the United States, the original illicit manufacturers were members of motorcycle gangs and other individuals who made it for themselves and their friends. In recent years, manufacturing by Mexican drug cartels has supplemented domestic production. To illustrate, 795 kilograms of MA were seized along the Southwest border in 1996; only 6.5 grams had been seized 4 years earlier in 1992 (National Narcotics Intelligence Consumers Committee, 1997).
MA is a sympathomimetic drug that alleviates fatigue. Chemically similar to adrenaline, sympathomimetic drugs stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for controlling bodily functions that are not consciously directed) and the central nervous system (the brain and spinal chord). For the last decade, MA has been the amphetamine derivative that is most commonly produced and abused. It can be swallowed, injected, snorted, or smoked.
Acute effects of MA include intensified emotions and increased alertness, euphoria, and decreased appetite. However, other effects may include paranoia, depression, tremors, memory loss, insomnia, increased sexuality, changes in plasma chemistry, convulsions, hypertension, and heart spasms. Serious medical complications, similar to those seen with cocaine, can occur, including sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia and hemorrhagic strokes. Other psychiatric and physical effects have been reported with chronic use, such as paranoia, drastic mood swings, hallucinations, cerebral edema, anorexia, malnutrition, and brain damage. Moderate chronic use or acute short-term use of MA in any form may lead to physical dependence.
Abuse patterns for MA suggest that there may be a two-to-four year latency period between first use and full dependence. Treatment providers report that MA users enter treatment more rapidly than heroin or cocaine users and that MA commonly appears as a secondary drug for treatment. One study found that 98% of the MA abusers entering outpatient treatment programs already had relapsed at least once following a prior treatment. Other treatment providers reported a 50 to 70% relapse rate in the first month of abstinence.
The following sites offer more information on methamphetamines, written for the general public.
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