After one high, Crystal Bush couldn't leave meth alone.
And she's not alone in her story. According to the department of justice, over the last 10 years meth has become Arkansas' primary drug of concern. In 2005, 45 percent of the federal drug cases in the state involved methamphetamine.
Dr. Clint Kilts with the Brain Imaging Research Center with UAMS says, "I personally think it's one of the most abusive, most potential for addiction liability of any of the psycho stimulants and other drugs of abuse."
But what makes it so addicting? Kilts, the director of the Brain Imaging Research Center at UAMS has researched the answer. "First sensations of using meth are rather empowering, rather enabling, rather positive in terms of reinforcing," he says.
Meth can not only affect a person's behavior and change their daily lives, it also has a drastic effect on someone's physical appearance.
Bush, now a former addict, shares her experience. "My teeth rotted, I've had at least half of my teeth pulled, a root canal and I don't know how many fillings."
For those who quit the drug, while complete recovery is unlikely, not all the damage is permanent.
During her addiction, Bush faced multiple criminal charges, but was able to avoid prison time because she checked into the rehab program Arkansas Cares at UAMS. She urges other users to stay focused on getting clean.
"Speak out, ask for help do whatever it takes. It's really hard to get treatment, I had a really hard time getting into rehab. If you have to go sit on the doorstep & wait till they let you in, do that. Just don't give up, be persistent.
Bush says rehab along with her church, helped her turn her life around. "I'm accountable i'm reliable I'm responsible, the things that I would never thought I'd be," she says.