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Article of the Month

METH-AVOID ITS DEADLY TRAP
(Courtesy of Channing Bete Company)

What is Meth?
It's methamphetamine-an illegal drug that speeds up the nervous system.
Meth comes in different forms.  It can be swallowed, inhaled or injected.  It's sold under many names, including:  Crystal Meth, Crystal, Crank, Glass, Ice, Speed.

Meth is Dangerous.
For one thing, it's highly addictive.  Users risk:
Physical Addiction:  In a short time, a user can suffer depression, extreme fatigue, convulsions and other withdrawal symptoms once the drug's effects wear off.
Psychological Dependence:  A user may need meth just to get through the day and to avoid withdrawal.

Why Do People Use it?
Some people may use meth because of curiosity, peer pressure, unhappiness, a false belief that meth isn't dangerous.  Trying meth even once can be deadly!

Meth Hurts the Body.
The effects vary, depending on the amount taken, how it's taken, the person's mood and other factors.  Effects may include nasal damage and bleeding, faster heartbeat and breathing, higher blood pressure, increased body temperature, damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys and other organs, exhaustion once the drug wears off, twitching, jerking, severe loss of appetite and weight, malnutrition, numbness in hands and feet, stroke, which can cause paralysis and other serious problems and death.

It Also Affects the Mind.
Users may suffer psychological effects.  Depending on the person adn the dose, users may become restless or unusually talkative, moody, irritable or nervous, falsely self-confident, hostile, even violent, depressed and bored once the drug wears off.  Users may even develop psychosis such as hallucinations, paranoia, bizarre compulsions, such as cleaning the same spot for hours.

Users are exposed to other dangers including HIV and other STDs, lowered resistance to illnesses, financial problems caused by the need to support a drug habit, legal problems and social problems.

GET HELP.
If you or someone you know uses meth there are many sources of help.  These include, family and friends, drug-use programs, self-help groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, hotlines and other resources.  If you would like to find help for you or someone you know call High Country Counseling at 307-885-9883 for our Afton office, 307-877-4466 for our Kemmerer office, or 307-367-2111 for our Pinedale office.