LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Making it Crystal Clear |
by Bill Pullen |
As I sat down to write, I asked myself, "Who am I to write this and why do I want to put myself out there?" Then it struck me, who am I not to? Having spent years partying hard, the last few with crystal, I have an insider's look at the destruction and devastation crystal can cause on a very personal level. As a member of the gay community I see the toll crystal is taking on countless friendships, relationships and careers. And, as a Personal-Professional Life Coach, I see, on a regular basis, what crystal does to the hopes, dreams and fulfillment of my clients. I have a responsibility to myself and to my community to share what I have learned and to encourage those of us whose lives have been touched by the effects of crystal to start doing something about it.
When I made the decision to stop using crystal I started doing research on the effects it has on the mind and body. For years I justified my use by saying I was only using on weekends and it wasn't harming me or impacting the rest of my life. What the research taught me is that crystal, otherwise known as methamphetamine, "tina", "speed", "ice", or "crack," is a powerfully addictive stimulant associated with serious health conditions including memory loss, aggression, psychotic behavior, and potential heart and brain damage. The short-term effects of crystal include increased attention, euphoria and rush, increased respiration, and hyperthermia, which can potentially cause convulsions and death. The long-term effects include dependence and addiction psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, mood disturbances, repetitive motor activity, stroke and weight loss. Long-term studies in animals have shown prolonged use of small doses causes damage to the dopamine-producing cells in the brain as well as extensive damage to the brain cells containing serotonin. Heavy users show progressive social and occupational deterioration and psychotic symptoms that can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased. Crystal use has been linked to the increased incidence of high-risk sexual behaviors among some members of the gay community. One only needs to enter on-line chat rooms to find people who want to "party and play" and even more alarming, "bareback." New York City health officials reported earlier this year that crystal use may be fueling increases in unprotected sex and the decline in adherence to antiretroviral treatment among HIV-positive gay men. A recent study by researchers at Ohio State University showed that methamphetamine speeds up replication of HIV in brain cells. Researchers studying Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which resembles human HIV, found that exposing FIV-infected brain cells to methamphetamine in a lab setting increased the rate of replication 15-fold. Along with the medical complications, crystal takes a toll on our community socially. Long-term relationships end, friendships are shattered, jobs lost and careers crumble when caught in crystals path. In my coaching practice clients talk to me about their hopes and dreams and about the life they want to create only to have their plans derailed by weekend after weekend of crystal use. The depression that comes with recovery leaves the user unable to focus, lethargic and unable to be good to himself, to his job or to the people around him. It is inaccurate to believe that using even small amounts does not negatively impact a user's life or lead to addiction. As a community we have been willing to watch friends use crystal weekend after weekend then shrug it off as "normal behavior" without stopping to consider what is really going on or stopping to say, "I'm worried about you." Worse yet, many people in our community continue to encourage and support the behavior. The recent suicide of an acquaintance following a weekend of partying made me question how many people out there are spinning out of control and using crystal and other "party drugs" to escape from the pain of their every day lives. How many people long for acceptance and to be part of a community so badly that they are willing to do drugs as means of gaining that acceptance? I challenge each and everyone reading this article to look carefully and with compassion at your friends who are using crystal or other drugs and ask yourself, "What kind of help is this person crying out for?" and, "What can I do?" As a community the time is now for us to rise to the challenge and start loving and supporting one another. Crystal has become epidemic and is tearing apart individuals and our community. What do we want for our own lives and for the lives of those around us? Do we want to continue to destroy ourselves or do we want to rise to the challenge and create a community that supports each and every one of us in becoming the best that we can be? Bill Pullen, CPCC is a Personal-Professional Life Coach. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 08, June 28, 2002. |