Methamphetamine, more commonly referred to as meth, is a synthetic stimulant that’s known for its physical effects, the most common of them being meth mouth. As one of the most commonly trafficked drugs on the globe, it is the main contributor to the high rates of drug abuse in the United States. Meth in Florida is commonly sold in rural areas. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, meth use in Florida increased by 38 percent and meth-related deaths increased by 42 percent from 2016 and 2017.1 As a drug and alcohol rehab in South Florida, we’re well aware of the dangers of meth addiction and the growing numbers of meth-related deaths in the Sunshine State.
Methamphetamine Abuse in Florida Over the Years
Several years back, methamphetamine was produced in underground laboratories and was made with medications containing pseudoephedrine. This medication was widely accessible and made the process easy. However, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 was incorporated into the Patriot Act, banning sales of over-the-counter medications that contained pseudoephedrine.2 Pseudoephedrine then became a behind-the-counter drug. Sales are limited per customer per month, and any related sales have to be logged. After this act was passed, methamphetamine production was pushed to Mexico. Nowadays, Mexican cartels are known for meth production and distribution, often using the West Coast as their route of choice.
Meth in Florida is often sold and distributed in solid or crystal form, which is referred to as crystal meth. While meth use is currently more prevalent among residents of rural areas in Central and North Florida, it was once popular in the LGTBQ+ party scene and metropolitan area. During this time, the risk of contracting AIDS, HIV, and Hepatitis increased due to sharing needles. The purity of meth has also increased over the years. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also reported that the purity of the methamphetamine confiscated in the first half of 2016 was hovering near 95 percent.3 Even amid the opioid epidemic, meth seizures in Florida are steadily increasing in numbers.
Dangers of Meth Use
Methamphetamine is known for the damage it causes to a person’s body. While many symptoms of drug abuse don’t affect a person’s outward appearance, methamphetamine can change a person’s face within a few years. Aside from the changes in the face and dental hygiene, meth effects include:
- Damage to blood vessels in the heart and brain
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death
- Liver and kidney damage
- Problems breathing (common in users who smoke meth)
- Deterioration of tissue in the nose (common in users who snort meth)
- Severe weight loss
- Confusion
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Brain damage
At Seaside Palm Beach, our luxury meth addiction treatment has offered a safe and comfortable method of addiction recovery for many of our patients. While the meth use statistics are concerning, we are working hard to address this problem and help as many people as we can.
Our trained and licensed staff are dedicated to helping our patients achieve sobriety. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, call us at 561-677-9374 for more information about our luxury partial hospitalization program.
Sources:
- FDLE- Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners
- FDA- Legal Requirements for the Sale and Purchase of Drug Products Containing Pseudoephedrine, Ephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine
- DEA- 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment
