Missouri drug rehab and treatment counselors on the front lines dealing with meth addiction and abuse have long since realized the inherent dangers in the drug’s abuse. New studies published in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence confirms the abuse of methamphetamine and other stimulant drugs increases contracting Parkinson’s disease significantly.
Methamphetamine and amphetamine like drugs that include Adderall, Ritalin and other drugs prescribed for ADD and ADHD are central nervous system stimulant drugs. Methamphetamine and Amphetamine stimulants increase the amount of dopamine (a neurotransmitter) blocks the causing high levels of the chemical being deposited in the brain. Dopamine has influence with reward, motivation, the experience of pleasure, and motor function in the human body.
Methamphetamine is a neuro-toxin that altars the normal function of the brain, dopamine system reduces motor skills and impairs learning. Studies have shown crystal meth and amphetamine abusers have structural and functional changes in the brain that are related to emotion and memory. Methamphetamine addiction treatment counselors know these changes in thought processes contribute to demoralizing behavior that speeds up the dwindling spiral of addiction and abuse.
The toxic effects of methamphetamine are most certainly realized by Missouri drug rehab and addiction treatment counselors entrenched on front lines of addiction and abuse. It’s not surprising to discover the long term toxic effects create additional problems like Parkinson’s.
Scientists studied three control groups that included: 40,000 people hospitalized for methamphetamine/ amphetamine abuse, 207,000 people not addicted to drugs admitted to the hospital for unrelated issues like appendicitis and 35,000 people hospitalized for cocaine abuse. Methamphetamine and amphetamine abusers had 76% greater chance of developing Parkinson’s disease.
