‘Tis the season for confessional autobiographies, apparently. On the tails of Mackenzie Phillips’ tell all tale of drug addiction and incest comes Andre Agassi’s upcoming tome, Open. In his autobiographical account of his life, revealed in excerpt pending its release, Agassi revealed a two-year addiction to crystal meth.

Why Reveal Crystal Meth Addiction Now?

There are a number of reasons why Agassi might feel compelled to release the details of his crystal meth addiction in his autobiography. Certainly it won’t hurt his book sales to announce ahead of time a few of the more salacious details of his life. On a less cynical note, it does convey the message that crystal meth addiction doesn’t have to be your downfall. Agassi certainly managed to move through it and accomplish quite a bit in his career. He recovered from drug addiction and made a heavy mark on the tennis world.

Agassi has shown himself to be a devoted father to his two children-Jaden Gil and Jaz Elle-with tennis star Stefi Graf since his retirement in 2006. He’s also shown himself to be dedicated to philanthropy, raising more than $60 million for underprivileged children.

Agassi says: “I believe the most powerful way to empower a child is through a strong education. We’ve created an atmosphere that helps children dream of possibilities that they may not otherwise have considered for themselves, and we provide the tools and resources to help them achieve their goals.”

Sharing the details of his addiction can benefit those who perhaps feel hopeless due to drug addiction. His story demonstrates that help is out there for those who suffer from crystal meth addiction.

Crystal Meth Addiction: Will It Hurt Agassi’s Legacy?

Likely not. Tennis fans will never forget his Olympic gold medal, the fact that he is one of five men to have won all four Grand Slams, his former World Number One ranking, his 60 singles championship wins or his 17 ATP Masters Series tournament wins. Tennis Magazine named him the seventh greatest male player and the twelfth greatest overall player for the period of 1965 through 2005. He was also named the ATP Most Improved Player twice.

And considering that his career lasted the 20 years between 1986 and 2006, no one can put his accomplishments on the amped-up effects of crystal meth addiction, which lasted for two years in the late ’90s. In fact, during those years, his career suffered, yet another demonstration that drug addiction can only hurt you, no matter how successful you are when you begin using. No one is immune.

Crystal Meth Addiction and Treatment

If you or someone you love is addicted to crystal meth, help is available through a crystal meth detox and rehab. It is not a problem to be ignored and few can quit using the drug alone. If you would like more information about the nature of crystal meth addiction or if you would like to learn more about crystal meth rehab, contact Michael’s House for more information.

One look at a person who has been struggling with crystal meth addiction for years should tell you everything you need to know about the dangers of this drug.   But in case you need more evidence, here are ten totally true facts about crystal meth abuse and addiction that should be enough to either scare someone straight - or motivate loved ones to get an addict into treatment.

10 Dangers of Crystal Meth Addiction

1. Tremors and convulsions. Crystal meth can send your body into a state of chaos with uncontrollable twitching and violent tremors.

2. Severe movement disorders. Doctors have described the movement disorders associated with crystal meth use as “similar to Parkinson’s Disease”

3. Respiratory problems. Long-term side effects of crystal meth use include labor breathing and other respiratory concerns.

4. Strokes. Crystal meth can damage the blood vessels in the brain so severely that the individual suffers a stroke.

5.  Anorexia. Female crystal meth addicts have a high incidence of anorexia, as they are so consumed by the drug that they fail to take in the nutrients their body needs to survice.

6. Crime. Many hardcore crystal meth users have been known to turn to crime (especially robbery) as a means of financing their drug habit.

7. Broken relationships. When an individual develops a crystal meth addiction, the drug becomes the only thing of importance in their lives.   That means family and friends are neglected in the name of the drug.

8.  Problems achieving sexual climax. Although some short-term users report a more engaging sexual appetite, long-term use of crystal meth leads to the inability to achieve an erection or sexual climax.

9. “Meth mouth”. One of the hallmark symptoms of crystal meth addiction is the degradation of the teeth and gums.  Meth mouth can spotted casually as the individual’s dental health falls into disrepair.

10.  Mood swings. Individuals who use crystal meth are prone to violent mood swings, often moving for intense euphoria into depression or anger without warning.

If you know someone who is suffering from crystal meth addiction, contact a drug treatment center in your area to provide a way for the individual to get the help they need.

One of the most serious issues pertaining to medical treatment in the United States concerns doctors who have developed a drug addiction, yet continue to provide care to their patients without receiving proper treatment themselves.  For years, this problem went unchecked in the medical community, as doctors were allowed to the patients’ lives at risk - while falling deeper and deeper into the cycle of addiction.

Hope came in the form of a new treatment approach to drug addicted doctors - one that focused on long-term care and high levels of accountability should the problem persist.

As a result of this unique approach (not quite punishment, not quite drug rehab), the percentage of doctors who are addicted to drugs has begun to decrease for the first time in many years.

According to a recent survey published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, over three-quarters of all doctors who entered this long-term treatment program have remained drug-free for over five years.   That speaks volumes for a non-traditional treatment style that combines counseling with a zero-tolerance approach to drug use on the job (physicians can lose their licesnse if testing positive during the program).

One of the more positive aspects of the survey was that the numbers held true across a wide variety of addictions - including crystal meth, cocaine, prescription painkillers and alcohol.

If you, or someone you know has developed a drug addiction, it is important to contact a drug rehab program immediately.  Through detox and counseling, drug rehab helps treat drug addiction at the core - and helps individuals discover the strategies needed to live a sober life.

To look at her now, it is hard to imagine that Jodie Sweetin was looking death in the face only a few short years ago.  But that’s exactly what happened to the star of the seminal 1980’s family show Full House.  In 2005 she entered drug rehab after years of crystal meth addiction.

Sweetin was a 22 year old college student married to a Los Angeles police officer when she first experimented with crystal meth.  But the experimentation soon turned into a full-on addiction when she found little else mattered in her life but getting high.

“Everything revolved around my addiction. On a typical day I’d wake up and feel terrible because I hadn’t done any. You’re either trying to get it, doing it or worrying about when you’re going to get it next. You don’t even realize that it’s taken over so quickly.”

But drug rehab worked wonders for the young former-star.    She got her life together, got re-married and recently welcomed her first child into the world.

Jodie Sweetin’s story is a cautionary tale that proves drug addiction can strike any young person - in or out of the Hollywood spotlight.  Ms.  Sweetin was fortunate to have the support of family and friends - and most of all, a quality drug rehab program that helped her break the cycle of drug addiction.

Currently, one of the biggest drug abuse problems facing the gay community is crystal meth addiction.  Crytsal meth, a powerful stimulant, is being used in the gay club scene by men who want to stay up longer, increase the euphoria of the scene and reduce sexual inhibitions.

The results have been nothing less than devastating, with an impact that includes:

• Higher levels of addiction to this dangerous drug.  Crystal meth is one of the most addictive drugs in the world, and the individuals who become dependent on it are putting themselves at risk for heart disease, heart failure, serious tooth and gum disorders and other health problems.
• The social implications of the addiction. Crystal meth will lead people to quit school or fail at work - all in the name of the pursuit of the drug.  Individuals may steal or commit other crimes in order to get money for the drug.  In the gay community, many men have actually prostituted themselves in order to finance their habit.
• The spread of disease. As mentioned above, crystal meth can loosen inhibitions, which can lead to unprotected sex with multiple partners.  In the case of the gay community, this is particularly important because of the potential spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.

The gay community must wake up to the dangers of crystal meth addiction.  Any individual who is struggling with a crystal meth problem should contact a drug rehab facility immediately.  There are even alcohol and drug rehab facilities that take the time to address the specific needs of gay men - and understand why they become addicted at the best ways to help them receive treatment.

AMC’s hit show Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher with a mountain of bills and a cancer diagnosis that has given him two years to live.  In order to make ends meet, and breathe some excitement into his mundane life, he turns to crystal meth production.

Soon, the mild-mannered Walter is engaged in gun-play, drug running and even murder.

The show pulls few punches, and is extremely graphic in its subject matter, especially considering that it is run on a channel that is part of the basic cable package.

But how realistic is the portrayal of drug addiction, specifically crystal meth addiction, on Breaking Bad?  Does the show glamorize the use and sale of the drug?  Does it provide a proper deterrent for young people who are considering taking crystal meth, or even selling it?  Or does it provide an impartial look at the realities of drug addiction in the United States?

The result is kind of a mixture of all three, leaving us to consider the pros and cons of the show.

Pros of Breaking Bad

• A gritty portrayal of the crystal meth production business
• A hard look at the desperation of those addicted to crystal meth
• Does not create any “saints” among those involved in the crystal meth distribution process.

Cons of Breaking Bad

• Excuses drug sales as a means of supporting one’s family
• Does not spend nearly enough time dealing with the individual fall out of crystal meth use
• Portrays teens and kids at risk using dark comedy that could distract from the seriousness of their real-life counterparts situations.

If you or someone you love is struggling with crystal meth addiction, contact a drug rehab facility in your area.  The professionals at a drug rehabilitation program can help motivated individuals break the cycle of addiction.

Crystal meth use is continuing to spread across the globe like a runaway forest fire.  With strong, addictive effects, Methamphetamine use is destroying the health and well being of young people around the world.  In response to the growing problem of meth use, several anti-drug agencies have employed graphic ad campaigns in an attempt to get people to realize just how harmful the drug can be.

The anti-meth advertising campaigns from the State of Montana emphasize the unique physical effects of crystal meth, and how it can turn a healthy individual into a shadow of their former self.  Like many recent efforts from other states and organizations, this work drives the point home in the most graphic manner possible.

Long term effects of crystal meth use

While many of these ads “break the rules” of traditional public service announcements, the seriousness of crystal meth’s long term health effects justify pushing the envelope from a creative point-of-view.  Consider these long-term effect of methamphetamine use:

• Brain damage that produces effects similar to those found in individuals with Parkinson’s Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Coma
• Stroke
• Distinct facial disfiguration include a gaunt, hollow appearance
• Dental problems including rotting and discoloration of the teeth and gums
• Significant weight loss
• Psychosis
• Anxiety
• Death