Transcript Methamphetamine: What Professionals Need to Know Jackie McReynolds Washington State University Vancouver What is Methamphetamine?     A very powerful stimulant A highly addictive, synthetic drug A powder or crystallized.

Methamphetamine: What
Professionals Need to
Know
Jackie McReynolds
Washington State University
Vancouver
What is Methamphetamine?
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A very powerful stimulant
A highly addictive, synthetic drug
A powder or crystallized form
Can be taken orally (tablet), injected, or
inhaled (smoked), absorbed through
skin
Addiction Potential
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42% of first time users
go on to 2nd use.
84% of 2nd time users
go on to develop
regular use.
OHSU.Org
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Go on to
2nd use
2nd time
users
that
develop
regular
use
Physiological Impact
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Increased metabolic rate, heart rate, and blood
pressure (blood flow restricted as vessels contract)
Body temperature rises (sweat glands shut down;
more prevalent in men than women)
Body energy surges, excessive activity may result
Loss of appetite as digestive tract slows down
Extreme euphoria within 5-20 minutes
Enhanced sociability
Increased sexual arousal; loss of inhibitions
Phases of Meth Use
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Rush (5-30 minutes): all about pleasure
High (4-16 hours): aggressive &
argumentative
Binge (3-15 days): hyperactivity
Tweaking (most dangerous):
hallucinations
Crash (1-3 days): mostly asleep
Normal (2-14 days): back to a slightly
deteriorated normal state
Withdrawal (30-90 days): depression,
lethargy, cravings, suicidal tendencies
Negative Side Effects: Immediate
and Long-term
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Stroke
Cardiac arrhythmia
Stomach cramps
Convulsions & shaking
Significant weight loss
Lung disorders similar to asbestos exposure
Insomnia
Chronic sinus infections; deviated septum
Paranoia and hallucinations; high-level anxiety; aggression
Brain damage; risk factor for development of Parkinson’s
Skin rashes and dental decay; burns
Poor personal hygiene (bathing is physically uncomfortable)
The Faces of Meth
Homemade Meth Ingredients
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Pseudoephedrine
Red phosphorous (matches)
Drain cleaner
Sulfuric acid
Paint thinner
Iodine
Freon
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Driveway cleaner
Lye
Acetone (nail polish
remover)
Methanol (brake fluid)
Ammonia
Ether
Lithium metal (batteries)
Pesticide
Anhydrous ammonia
Shake and Bake Meth
“Parents who are
addicted to drugs
have a primary
commitment to
chemicals,
not to their
children.”
Beckwith, 1989
Meth Mouth
Meth Bugs
How Does Meth Impact Brain
Function?
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Immediately begins to change brain chemistry
Damages neurons more severely in ways that other
drugs do not
Not all areas of the brain affected: centers for reward,
memory, and judgment are most heavily impacted
Profound changes in dopamine and seratonin systems
PET scans resemble Parkinson’s patients
Brain chemistry resembles paranoid schizophrenics
In children, integration of sensory-based functions is
most vulnerable
The Brain Chemistry Effect
Nerve Cell Damage
PET Scan of Meth User
Loss of Memory, Emotion, and
Reward Systems in the Meth Brain
Brain Scans: Healthy vs. a 15-year
user of Meth
How Does Meth Hurt Children?
Double Jeopardy for Children
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Children are at risk due to prenatal exposure and
postnatal environmental effects
Poverty
 Chaotic and dangerous lifestyles
 Symptoms of psychopathology (personality
disorders, depressive symptoms)
 History of sexual abuse
 Domestic violence
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Developmental Vulnerabilities
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Immature organ systems, faster metabolic
rates, weaker immune systems
Eat more food, drink more fluids, and
breathe more air per pound of body weight
Typical behaviors expose them to more
hazards
Increased potential for cerebral
damage (strokes, brain lesions)
Digestive Difficulties
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Permanent brain damage causes
difficulty in glucose metabolism (12-17
mo. to repair some)
Stomach lining is weakened by high
levels of acidity, leading to gastritis
H pylori bacterial infection ensues
Symptoms may include an aversion to
food, acid reflux-like symptoms,
abdominal cramps, ulcer-like symptoms
Treatment for H pylori
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No safe protocol documented for children
For adults a three-pronged approach:
Amoxicillin or other antibiotic
 Bismuth (i.e., Pepto: some risk of Reye syndrome)
 Metronidazole (i.e., Pepcid)
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Hypersensitive to taste and smell: go for bland
Lactose intolerance: move to soy-based products
IDEAL Study
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The Infant Development, Environment and Lifestyle
(IDEAL Study: Dr. Barry Lester of Brown University)
Clinical outcomes:
- smaller head size
- evidence of feeding difficulties
- sleep disturbances
- delays in development domains
- ADD
- early and multiple interventions produce positive
outcomes (healthcare, mental health, social services)
Pre-Natal Meth Exposure
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Easily crosses the placenta; metabolized
differently by fetal brain; brain is more
sensitive
Constricts blood flow, restricting oxygen
and slowing growth
Linked to a greater incidence of multiple
births, prematurity, and low birth-weight
Pregnant women and new mothers are less
likely to seek help than other addicted
women
Mothers who are clean during the 3rd
trimester reduce fetal involvement
significantly
Special Needs
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Attachment intervention
Medication (chronic and shortterm)
Hydration and tube feeding
Cardiac monitoring
Foster care placement
Therapeutic child care
Minimizing Stress for Infants
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Provide a quiet, calm environment
with minimal noise & bright lights
Ensure warmth and comfort by
bundling the child in blankets
Encourage habituation by providing
sucking opportunity with a pacifier
Initiate gentle rocking or soothing
motions to help achieve
neurobehavioral organization
Limit exposure to cigarette smoke
Working With Young Children up to
Two Years of Age
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6-18 months of age is referred to as a “honeymoon”
period of development for drug- exposed children
All external measures may well indicate the child is
symptom-free
Toward the end of this period (18-24 months), speech and
language difficulties may appear
Appropriate interventions need to occur as difficulties
emerge
Interventions: Infants and Toddlers
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Design quiet environments with limited sensory
stimulation
Implementation of an emotionally centered,
attachment focused program (Circle of Security;
Promoting First Relationships)
Consistency in schedule, adult contacts, physical
stimulation
Use of sign language
Referral for sensory integration
therapy; sensory screening
Children 3 Years and Older
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Attention deficit may become more pronounced as more
demands are placed on the child in group settings
May have difficulty controlling emotions and social exchanges
Problems adjusting to a changing environment
Spatial learning and memory (object recognition) are deficient
Tendencies toward aggressive behavior, hypervigilance, and
parentification
Type II diabetes and high blood pressure are common
Unstable family units exacerbate problems
Preschool (young school-aged)
Psychosocial Problems
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Low self-esteem
Core boundary issues
Regressive behaviors
Fear and anxiety
Food and object hoarding
Grief and loss behaviors
Influence of family disruption
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Initiative (guilt): Preschool
Industry (inferiority): School age
Why environmental organization?
Dangers of Home Visits
Recognizing a Meth House
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Unusual odors (ammonia, ether, cat
urine, rotten eggs, or old mayonnaise)
Covered windows
Strange ventilation
Elaborate security
Dead vegetation
Excessive/unusual trash
Frequent visitors and/or deliveries
Uncharacteristic display of wealth
Round-the-clock activity, followed by
quiet days
Recognizing Meth Production
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An unusually large supply of main
meth ingredients in the home or
trash
- blister packs of cold meds
(Sudafed or comparable), batteries,
camp fuel, and others
Presence of equipment or
apparatus used to make meth
- stained coffee filters, funnels,
turkey basters, improvised
glassware, tubing
Treatment & Recommendations
What About Treatment?
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Communities are unprepared for
treatment of meth addicts (effective
40-50%)
Meth addicts are particularly
challenging:
*poor engagement rates
*high drop-out rates
*high relapse rates
*protracted depression, paranoia, anxiety
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Some emerging info on histamine
effect (OHSU)
First 4-6 months of treatment are
most critical to recovery
Does Treatment Work?
The Matrix Model of Treatment
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Combines the following aspects:
- individual counseling (nonjudgmental and non-confrontational)
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- motivational interviewing
- family education program
- regular u.a. (once per week)
- aspects of the traditional 12-step
program
Rawson, R. (1996)
Resources
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Am. Assn. of Retired Persons, aarp.org/grandparents/
Drug Endangered Children (DEC), nationaldec.org
Children of Alcoholic Families www.coaf.org
Natl. Inst. On Drug Abuse: nida.nih.gov
Zero to Three, Zerotothree.org
ACE Study (child impact), ChildTrauma.org
Circle of Security, Circleofsecurity.org
Through the Eyes of a Child, University of Wisconsin fact sheets
DSHS: www1.dshs.gov/kinshipcare/raisingchildren.shtml
Vol. 12(2) 2007 of Child Maltreatment,
http://cmx.sagepub.com/archive/
Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk,
www.brown.edu/Departments/Children_at_Risk/Home
Other Useful Web Resources
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Govt. Meth Resources: Methresources.gov
Montana Meth Project: Montanameth.org
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Alcoholics Anonymous :alcoholics-anonymous.org
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Al-Anon/Alateen al-anon.alateen.org
Narcotics Anonymous: na.org
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Other Non-fiction Reading
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Addict in the Family by Beverly Conyers
Painted Rocks by Kimberly Ann Freel
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
The Way We Are, an essay by Thomas Lynch (included in
Bodies in Motion and at Rest)
Under the Influence by Katherine Ketcham & James R. Milan
What About the Kids: Raising Your Children Before, During
and After Divorce by Judith Wallerstein and Sandra Blakeslee
Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Meth
Addiction by David and Nic Sheff
Tweaked: A Crystal Meth Memoir, by Patrick Moore
Presenter Contact Info
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Jackie McReynolds, M.S.
Senior Instructor/Academic Coordinator
Dept. of Human Development
Washington State University
Vancouver, WA 98686-9600
360-546-9740
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[email protected]
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FAX: 360-546-9076
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