A study published this year in Journal of Adolescent Health suggested that teenage girls who had succumbed to a methamphetamine addiction had a harder time breaking from the addiction than boys within the same age group.

1. Meth Study Reveals Drug May Be More Addictive In Teen Girls
A study published this year in Journal of Adolescent Health
suggested that teenage girls who had succumbed to a methamphetamine addiction had a harder
time breaking from the addiction than boys within the same age group.
The research study was conducted at the School of Medicine at the University of California, Los
Angeles.
Although a small study, it garnered valuable information needed for health care professionals in
the field of drug addiction treatment. For instance, it raised awareness in regard to how young
females should be treated.
The study consisted of 10 females and 9 males around the age of 17 years old. The
participants were methamphetamine abusers and included the following:
Participants were given counseling
Some participants received bupropion, an antidepressant
Other participants received a placebo
The group of teenagers who were on bupropion did not have significantly lower meth-free urine
samples compared to those who had the placebo. Also for this particular study, bupropion was
suggested as not being a purely effective methamphetamine addiction treatment.
Conversely, they discovered that the males, in both study groups, had double the amount of
meth-free urine drug tests as opposed to the girls.
In the university press release, health sciences assistant clinical professor, Dr. Keith Heinzerling
shared, “The greater severity of methamphetamine problems in adolescent girls compared to
boys -- combined with results of studies in adults that also found women to be more susceptible
to methamphetamine than men -- suggests that the gender differences in methamphetamine
addiction observed in adults may actually begin in adolescence.”

2. Not many people know that meth addiction actually started back in the 1930s. Methamphetamine
was a popular ingredient in inhalers for those with breathing challenges. It wasn’t until after,
users realized the ingredient was addicting due to its euphoric side-effects.
Like any addiction, the body becomes more resistant to the original dose amount, and needs to be
increased.
Teenagers are introduced to meth, particularly the street name of crystal meth. It’s
considered a party drug for the following intents:
Stimulant
Keeps users up for hours without the need for sleep
Gives users an euphoric state
Inhibitions go away
Increases libido
Relatively cheap to buy
Meth is also considered as a functional drug. In these cases, users take meth to stay up for a long
stretch of hours and helps with weight loss.
In either case, some teens are viewing this drug as a need either in a party atmosphere, functional
necessity, or both.
Although signs of meth addiction vary from user to user, the typical side effects are the
following:
Irritability
Paranoia
Mood swings
Fear
Dramatic weight loss
Odd sleep cycles
Post nasal drip and other sinus issues
Tooth discoloration and decay
Pale skin discoloration
Cognitive challenges
Treatment for meth addiction is a journey, but it can be done. And in order to overcome this
addiction, chiefly with teen girls, new treatment methods may need to be considered and utilized.
For more information about drug rehab and non 12 step program visit Miramar Laguna Beach