Number Of Young Women Using Meth Rises
Studies: Women Use Meth For Weight Loss, Escape
October 11, 2004
OMAHA, Neb. -- Young women are one of the fastest-growing groups of methamphetamine users, studies show.
Many women are using the drug to boost self-esteem
and cope with life's problems. Beyond that, experts
say, women are using meth to lose
weight.
"I was 115, 120 pounds when I was using," said Stacey, a former meth user. "I weigh 164 now."
Stacey, who did not want her last name used, used meth with her sister and mother for many months after the siblings caught their mother shooting up one day. They each lost a lot of weight.
"I weighed about 90 pounds," said Stacey's sister, Nichole.
Although the women said weight loss wasn't their primary reason for using meth, drug counselors now say that is one reason why more young women are turning to the drug.
"I was thin. The guys liked the way I looked. I thought I looked good," said Stacey's mother, Deb.
Today, all three women admit they looked gaunt, malnourished, and had bad complexions and bad teeth.
There was a point at which none of the women thought beyond their next high. Stacey lost custody of her son.
Now, all three women are clean, and Stacey's son is back in their lives.
"I don't think I have it beat, but I know where I was, and know I don't want to go back there," Stacey said. "I feel great. I have my little boy back. I have an apartment. I'm fully employed."
The family is determined to leave drug use behind and focus on the future. Stacey's sister, Nichole, graduated from an adolescent drug treatment center in Omaha, called Journeys.
Journeys said nearly 2,000 metro-area kids ages 12 to 17 meet the criteria for having an addiction. Many of them are unable to get treatment because most insurance companies won't pay for it.
Source:www.theomahachannel.com
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