III. Conclusion

Methamphetamine abuse and addiction in the United States are major problems that are spreading to new geographic areas and populations. The devastating consequences of abuse of this drug translate into an increasing burden on the Nation's public health and public safety systems.

Preclinical and clinical research regarding the effects of methamphetamine abuse and treatments for methamphetamine addiction has revealed much, but knowledge gaps exist that still need to be filled. Research findings to date show a direct relationship between changes in brain structure and function in methamphetamine abusers and changes in behavior, cognition, and mood. The results underscore the serious nature of methamphetamine abuse and emphasize the need to alert users and potential users to the long-lasting, profound effects of this drug. And, for those instances when information dissemination and prevention efforts are not successful, ongoing treatment research, supported by NIDA, will bear fruit in helping to treat the addiction and other health ramifications of methamphetamine abuse.