Today, methamphetamine addiction in Ohio has become one of the strongest forms of addictions in the state, just as in the other states of the nation. This is one of the most dangerous forms of addiction today, superseding even the threat posed by heroin. Heroin is a natural derivative of an opiate while methamphetamine is a synthetic amphetamine and hence the latter is several times more addictive and more dangerous to the body. Here we try to understand how methamphetamine is wreaking havoc in the state of Ohio.



How does Methamphetamine come into Ohio?

The reason for the great extent of methamphetamine addiction in Ohio is that the substance is coming in from outside the state and it is also prepared locally. Almost all neighboring states have made inroads into Ohio when it comes to methamphetamine supply, and there is a strain of methamphetamine influx from faraway Mexico also. The routes for the supply are the roadways through which small criminal groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs operate in a chain manner to bring in methamphetamine into the state. There are also some criminal groups directly shipping the substance from Mexico and then ensuring that the substance is distributed throughout the state. One more way in which the substance is brought into the state is through regular snail mail and through couriers and package deliveries. With such an onslaught it is definitely becoming quite difficult to control the level of methamphetamine addiction in Ohio.

But what makes the situation the direst is the fact that the substance is locally produced to a large extent too. There are several clandestinely operating meth labs in various parts of the state. These labs are quite small, mostly run by family groups and are always hidden in some lonely area where they cannot be found. Since methamphetamine is a synthetic substance, these labs produce it with their own apparatus. The raw materials needs for producing the substance are quite commonly available, such as lantern fuel, antifreeze and the most important ingredient, cough syrup containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

Though it might seem that these meth labs might not have much of an impact on the overall scene of methamphetamine addiction in Ohio, in actuality, they are producing about ten pounds of the substance each per day. With technology learnt from the Mexican criminals, this is quite easy for them to produce. They can even reach purity levels of up to 100%. But the most dangerous aspect is that the methamphetamine produced by them is locally supplied to the nightclubs where youth become a very easy target.

Why is Methamphetamine Addiction in Ohio mostly a Youth Problem?

As seen above, the youth are the most exposed to the substance. But there are other reasons also. Methamphetamine is a very fast acting substance. This is quite favored by the youth who are looking for quick-fix party highs. It is initially sold cheap so that the youth may get hooked and then the prices are hiked to over 100% of the original amount. This is the point of no return from where the youth cannot stop spending on the substance.

But money issues aside, the problem is more significant because of the slight libidinous feeling that it creates. Young people enjoy this effect and the fact that they use this substance when they are partying in groups, where possibilities of mingling in sex are high, has made the substance an instant hit. People use methamphetamine in groups and then indulge in sexual practices, most of them unsafe. This is giving rise to the extrapolated problem that methamphetamine addiction in Ohio is bringing in, that of an increased HIV risk.

How is Methamphetamine Addiction treated in Ohio?

It is very difficult to treat meth addiction and until a few years recently, the common opinion of substance abuse experts in the state of Ohio was that this addiction is untreatable; it can only be controlled. That kind of mentality may persist today also, but there are treatment centers in Ohio now that are specially catering to meth addiction. The se treatment centers contain treatment providers that are well aware of hoe meth addiction works and what they can do to bring this addiction down. Methods such as detox are employed. However, it takes a very long time for people to be brought out of a meth withdrawal in the detox treatment. The detox program can go on to up to three weeks.

The counseling is definitely important too, though it will not have much effect in the early stages where the person is too deeply ensconced in the meth addiction. It is only when the withdrawal has subsided to an appreciable level will the counseling and aftercare has any effect.