Phoenix Beck, a young woman in recovery, talks about her experience in the short video Why Girls Take Meth (the video doesn’t quite fit its frame, scroll down a bit to see the play button). A good point she makes is that while she was using the drug others treated her as “disgusting” and “shameful” but when she quit everyone was supportive and helpful. She says that if they’d been supportive and tried to get her help while she was using then she mightn’t have felt so depressed, which kept her going back to do more drugs, and instead might have sought recovery earlier.
So why did she take meth? Phoenix had low self-esteem and was bullied, and started hanging out with drug users for a sense of community. Within two weeks she was addicted. Researcher Marie Hoskins of the University of Victoria points to peer pressure, and using it for quick weight loss.
This video doesn’t go into it but crystal meth psychosis is severe, resembling schizophrenia or bipolar psychosis, and users can often become violent while psychotic. It may also trigger ongoing episodes of psychosis that happen even when not using the drug. The comprehensive article Crystal Meth Produces Schizophrenia-like Symptoms quotes some research:
A 2001 publication by the WHO [World Health Organization], “Systematic Review of Treatment for Amphetamine-Related Disorders”, found that five to 15 percent of meth users who develop a related psychosis fail to recover completely. Most users, the organization also reports, become psychotic within a week after continuous meth administration.
It’s also one of the most damaging drugs to the brain: check out the very cool animated Mouse Party to see neurological effects of meth and some other commonly abused drugs. I also recommend the acclaimed Montana Meth Project research-based ads that show horrifying, but real, consequences.
So why do girls do meth? Peer pressure is hard to resist, and teens are impulsive. But maybe some smart young women can teach their peers to impulsively avoid meth instead.
(7 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5)
Loading ...You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
12 Comments to
“Why Girls Take Crystal Meth”
I think girls/women are more likely to do meth based on a number of reasons.
#1 Weight loss. That is how we usually are convinced to try it. It really is amazing at first when the weight comes off so fast. But so does everything else. It doesnt take long to start looking “sucked up”, years older and start to have things like sores on your body.
There are several main reason girls/women become addicted to meth so quickly. First off is the weight loss, but soon you start to look “sucked up” and older than you are. The weight usually doesnt stay off, even if u continue using. Then comes the ability to “go fast”, get things done, get ahead of the game etc.. But that leads to things like skipping school or work, using means more than any activity. Kids get neglected, relationships get ruined, careers are lost, and finances are depleted.
Even with all of these issues, the meth addict seeks only one thing. They become selfish, self-centered, and betray their friends and family.
The only way to quit is “out of site, out of mind. Stay way from people, places and things that trigger you. Find a new way to expell your energy. And GET HELP! I have found that the more time u spend with people who have gone through the same thing,the more you realize you are not alone, and you dont have to live like that. I have been there, and down a few other paths of addiction, depression, ADHD and biplar disorder. I am now just starting to feel anything again. It has taken 2 years of meds, psychotherapy, and even ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) Please, please write me if you want. I will be glad to help anyone in anyway I can. Dont get me wrong, I am not totally recovered, and my story is much much more complicated. If anyone wants to talk please email me at katastrophy65-survivor@yahoo.com. Thanks. K
I want to point out that suggesting there may be ’smart women’ who can help their peers (to avoid meth) is ignorant. You can’t teach someone to have good self esteem all of a sudden, and as I have experienced, addiction is something that follows no logic; it’s mostly immune to the most intelligent reasoning you can come up with. And if you have experienced otherwise, good for you. I just don’t appreciate the author’s subtle link of addiction and ’smart women’. Peace.
Sorry to offend you, Michelle, I didn’t mean to imply that people who become addicted aren’t smart, just that they might not be aware of all they’re getting into. By smart young women I meant those like Phoenix and Kat who are reaching out to help their peers.
Frankly, it’s hard to end a story on meth on any kind of positive note.
Good article, Sandra. Programs like DARE need to take this into account, if they haven’t already (although I read that DARE is going under reformation, so maybe they are addressing things like stigma), and offer more support rather than condemnation. Of course, with the end result of something like crystal meth, I suppose the drug does a good job at creating stigma on its own without needing the help of programs.
ich schreibe aus deutschland, und ich kann euch allen nur raten niemals dieses meth zu nehmen, ich habe dadurch meine familie zerstört und wurde selber sehr schwer krank.ich lebte lange in der cz und dort nehmen es fast alle, von der hausfrau bis zum polizisten. solltet ihr doch schon kontakt mit dieser droge gehabt haben laßt euch helfen, denkt nicht ihr schafft es allein!! mit den besten grüßen aus Germany euer oliver
Like most drugs, crystal meth affects the user both physically and psychologically.
Sandra,
I was 26 when I chose to become addicted to crystal meth. I wanted to lose weight and win the love and admiration of the man of my dreams (the man who introduced me to meth). It took less than a year for me to develop amphetamine-induced psychosis and has taken nearly 5 years to overcome my mental health challenges. I am in the process of finishing my memoir, Rumination, about how I overcome the poor choices I made in the beginning.
There is one common thread I’d like to point out as to why meth addicts (and I would include all addicts in my opinion) choose to do the wrong thing without proper treatment - lack of behavior therapy.
This is the reason I’m writing my story. There is a 92% relapse rate in crystal meth anonymous when meth addicts in their first year of recovery attempt to use only a 12 step approach alone to treat their addiction. Unfortunately, most people don’t understand that the 12 step community is not treatment. 12 step meetings are spiritual fellowship groups who provide support to its members. This is a common misconception hence the high relapse rate. I was one of the extremely lucky ones who found an all-inclusive approach that worked for me. I don’t know if my path to healing will work for anyone else however there is a mountain of research to suggest that my experience and success in sobriety is not unique. I encourage anyone to visit my website for more information on my recovery, share your thoughts with me on my blog, or shoot me an email if you like. Good luck to you all and God bless!
your so freaken awesome. is like you read my mine. i love you so much and i dont even know you at all.
Michelle is absolutely right,Sandra.She detected your bias and was naturaly inclined to point it out.Of course it’s not smart to get addicted;but neither does intelligence have anything to do with it.When you suggest that someone “might not be aware”,you’re insulting their intelligence.
If you really want to end a story on meth in a positive way,try respecting your audience.And,Michelle,best of luck to you,honey….
I am a recovering addict. I will tell you I have 2 children who I absolutely adore. I have been sober of Meth for 4 years and it is the hardest thing ever. I periodically use cocaine or ex when I am away from my kids on vacation. But not a day goes past that I wish I wasn’t using Meth. Meth is the worst possible thing to use. I now have gad (generalized persanility disorder) and is caused by meth. I regret it everyday and am paying for the consenquenses. If you are thinking about using Please don’t I did it to fit in because I was under peer pressure and it landed me 4 dwi’s and not a happy life, always wondering what if and if I should go back, but my kids are all I have and that is what makes me live.
I’m glad to finally this page.. I’ve been looking for support with knowledge and experience because i’m getting clean.
I’m not 20 yet, been using more than a year and I still have A LOT to lose- so plz get in touch with me. Please!
I want you to reach out MORE than I’ve ever wanted to get high. Recovering and ex users email me:
Join the Conversation! Post a Comment:
Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 11 Jun 2008
