How Is Methamphetamine Abused?

Methamphetamine is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol and is taken orally, intranasally (snorting the powder), by needle injection, or by smoking.

How Does Methamphetamine Affect the Brain?

Methamphetamine increases the release and blocks the reuptake of the brain chemical (or neurotransmitter) dopamine, leading to high levels of the chemical in the brain-a common mechanism of action for most drugs of abuse. Dopamine is involved in reward, motivation, the experience of pleasure, and motor function. Methamphetamine's ability to release dopamine rapidly in reward regions of the brain produces the intense euphoria, or "rush," that many users feel after snorting, smoking, or injecting the drug.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, occurs when one person causes physical or psychological harm to a current or former intimate partner. It includes all acts of violence within the context of family or intimate relationships. Besides being the leading cause of injury to women in the United States (a woman is beaten every 15 seconds), it is an issue of increasing concern because of its negative effect on all family members, especially children.

While accurate information on the extent of domestic violence is difficult to obtain because of under-reporting, some aspects of the problem are known:

• Domestic violence is not confined to any one socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, racial or age group and knows no geographic or educational boundaries. It also occurs within teenage relationships and among same-sex partnerships.

• About one out of every four women in America will be physically assaulted or raped by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. In fact, American women are more likely to be assaulted, injured, raped or killed by a male partner than by any other type of assailant.

• Estimates of assaults on women by partners range from approximately 2 million to 4 million annually in the United States.

• The majority of women killed at work are murdered by a current or former intimate partner.

What are the signs of domestic violence?

If you believe you may be in an abusive relationship, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Have you ever been physically hurt, such as being kicked, pushed, choked or punched, by your partner or ex-partner?

• Has your partner ever used the threat of hurting you or members of your family to get you to do something?

• Has your partner ever injured or abused your pets?

• Has your partner ever destroyed your property or things that you care about?

• Has your partner tried to keep you from seeing your family, going to school or doing other things that are important to you?

• Do you feel like you are being controlled or isolated by your partner? For instance, does your partner control your money, transportation, activities or social contacts?

• Have you ever been forced by your partner to have sex when you did not want to or to have unsafe sex?

• Is your partner jealous and always questioning whether you are faithful?

• Does your partner regularly blame you for things that you cannot control, or for his/her violent outbursts?

• Does your partner regularly insult you?

• Are you ever afraid of your partner or of going home? Does he/she make you feel unsafe?

There are other signs of domestic violence that observers might see in a relative or friend who is in an abusive relationship. They include:

• being prone to "accidents" or being repeatedly injured

• having injuries that could not be caused unintentionally or that do not match the story of what happened to cause them

• having injuries on many different parts of the body, such as the face, throat, neck, chest, abdomen or genitals

• having bruises, burns or wounds that are shaped like teeth, hands, belts, cigarette tips or that look like the injured person has a glove or sock on (from having a hand or foot placed in boiling water)

• having wounds in various states of healing

• often seeking medical help or, conversely, waiting to seek or not seeking medical help even for serious injuries

• showing signs of depression

• using alcohol or other drugs

• attempting suicide

What are the health effects of domestic violence?

Besides the obvious physical injuries, domestic violence can lead to depression, anxiety, panic attacks, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. Abuse also might trigger suicide attempts or psychotic episodes.

How can you leave an abusive partner?

Leaving an abuser can be dangerous. In order to do it as safely as possible, you should plan ahead and take the following precautions:

• Pack a bag ahead of time that will be available to take with you when you decide it is the safest time to leave. Include items such as extra clothes, important papers, money, extra keys and prescription medications.

• Know exactly where you will go and how you will get there.

• Call a local women's shelter or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) to find out about legal options and resources available to you.

1. Take a 'timeout.' Although it may seem cliche, counting to 10 before reacting really can defuse your temper.
2. Get some space. Take a break from the person you're angry with until your frustrations subside a bit.
3. Once you're calm, express your anger. It's healthy to express your frustration in a nonconfrontational way. Stewing about it can make the situation worse.
4. Get some exercise. Physical activity can provide an outlet for your emotions, especially if you're about to erupt. Go for a brisk walk or a run, swim, lift weights or shoot baskets.
5. Think carefully before you say anything. Otherwise, you're likely to say something you'll regret. It can be helpful to write down what you want to say so that you can stick to the issues. When you're angry, it's easy to get sidetracked.
6. Identify solutions to the situation. Instead of focusing on what made you mad, work with the person who angered you to resolve the issue at hand.
7. Use 'I' statements when describing the problem. This will help you to avoid criticizing or placing blame, which can make the other person angry or resentful - and increase tension. For instance, say, "I'm upset you didn't help with the housework this evening," instead of, "You should have helped with the housework."
8. Don't hold a grudge. If you can forgive the other person, it will help you both. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want.
9. Use humor to release tensions. Lightening up can help diffuse tension. Don't use sarcasm, though - it's can hurt feelings and make things worse.
10. Practice relaxation skills. Learning skills to relax and de-stress can also help control your temper when it may flare up. Practice deep-breathing exercises, visualize a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase to yourself, such as "Take it easy." Other proven ways to ease anger include listening to music, writing in a journal and doing yoga.

Andrea Carter is a certified Domestic Violence Advocate.  She received her Bachelors degree in Behavioral Science at California State Polytechnic University.  She is currently attending the University of Phoenix at the Pasadena Campus.  She has joined the Valley Women's Center as a Marriage, Child and Family Therapist trainee.   Andrea Carter is excited to put her skills to use and support our clients and to be a part of the Valley Women's Center family.