Methamphetamine Addiction and Abuse: An Overview
Medications can be effective when they are used properly, but some can be addictive and dangerous when misused. Fortunately, most Americans take their medications responsibly. Addiction to prescription drugs is rare. However, in 2003, approximately 15 million Americans reported using a prescription drug for non-medical reasons at least once during the year. Also, a 2005 survey found that 10.4 percent of Americans age 12 and over have tried methamphetamine at least once.
While most people think of methamphetamine as an illegal street drug, it is also a prescription medication used for the treatment of
ADHD or for obesity treatment.
Desoxyn® (
methamphetamine hydrochloride) is the prescription version of methamphetamine. As an amphetamine, Desoxyn can be habit-forming, especially when used in doses higher than the recommended dosage or for extended periods of time. Methamphetamine is also often abused. The most common street names for methamphetamine are "meth" or "crystal meth," although there are many other commonly used names.
Reasons for Methamphetamine Addiction and Abuse
There are many reasons why people abuse methamphetamine. One reason for methamphetamine addiction and abuse is the "high" that methamphetamine can cause. Stimulants such as methamphetamine can increase alertness, attention, and energy, which are accompanied by increases in
blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Another reason methamphetamine is abused is for weight loss
(see Methamphetamine and Weight Loss).
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