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Methamphetamine29decline in their ability to function in social and job-relatedsituations. (This inability can persist for months or yearseven after stopping use.)One of the most devastating effects of methamphetamineaddiction can be seen in pregnant women who are addicted.Exposure of a fetus to methamphetamine has been shown tocause limb malformations, abnormal reflexes, and behavioralproblems in the newborn. Moreover, meth-addicted expectantmothers experience more premature deliveries and complicationsduring delivery than do non-using expectant mothers.Another consequence of methamphetamine addiction isincreased risk for HIV infection and AIDS, since many methusers inject the drug intravenously and share needles. In fact,illegal drug use is one of the fastest-growing ways HIV is spreadto other people.Once a methamphetamine addict stops taking the drug,the withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and includedepression and anxiety, increased appetite, fatigue, paranoia,irritability, aggressive behavior, and intense craving for thedrug. Some of these symptoms can be eased with sedativedrugs like Valium or antidepressants like Prozac®.Although there are currently no pharmacological treatmentsfor methamphetamine addiction, psychological treatmentssuch as psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (whichinvolves changing one’s thought patterns, expectations, andbehavior), and improving coping skills can be mildly effectivein helping meth addicts stay clean.