Amphetamine Drugs

Amphetamines are highly addictive stimulant drugs available on prescription and the street. This means they are available legally and illegally.

In the field of medicine, amphetamines are a proven treatment for narcolepsy, ADHD and obesity. They are prescribed in low doses and managed because they are incredibly addictive, and dependency doesn’t take long to take hold.

These are the most common branded amphetamines:

• Adzenys XR-ODT
• Evekeo
• Dyanavel XR
• Adzenys ER

On the street, Amphetamines are commonly known as ‘speed’ and ‘uppers’ and the euphoric effects (feeling very up, alert and energised) are very powerful. Amphetamine is also sold as methamphetamine, or ‘ice’.

Speed was the drug of choice in night clubs in the 90s and is now thought to be the second most popular street drug behind cannabis.  

Illegal amphetamines are made and sold illegally and are of questionable quality. They are often not pure at all, with a combination of drugs, caffeine and sugar. These are even more dangerous than pharmaceutical amphetamines.

Amphetamines are highly addictive. If you or someone you love has a problem with amphetamines, call our helpline on [number] for free advice.

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What Are Amphetamine Drugs?

Amphetamines are a class of stimulant drug. They speed up the messages travelling between your brain and body by stimulating your central nervous system.

The effect is a general feeling of euphoria and alertness. However, amphetamines can also make you aggressive, angry and erratic.

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How Amphetamine Drugs Work

Amphetamines stimulate your central nervous system by releasing adrenaline and hormones. This triggers a ‘flight’ or ‘fight’ response, causing a perceptible shift in behaviour and the way you feel and make decisions.

The release of adrenaline and hormones is joined by an increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as increased blood flow to muscles.

When taken in small doses, the effects of amphetamines are useful for alertness and tiredness, as well as concentration (which is why they are used to treat ADHD). However, the effects are short-lived, and the comedown is hard.

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The Effects of Amphetamines

The medically useful and enjoyable effects of amphetamines include:

• Euphoria
• Excitement
• Confidence
• Alertness
• Increased concentration

The problem with amphetamine abuse is it is always in much higher doses than would be recommended by a doctor. Also, illegal amphetamines are often not pure and contain a potent mix of drugs to increase rates of addiction.

The high dose effects of amphetamines include:

• Jaw clenching
• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Anger
• Rage
• Dilated pupils
• Sweats
• Chest pain
• Paranoia
• Rash decision making

The euphoric effects of amphetamines are short-lived. The effects are felt immediately through injection or smoking, or within 30 minutes with tablets. However, these effects end in just a few hours, causing a ‘crash’.

When you take amphetamines, you can also become aggressive and irritable on the comedown, which combined with a sense of invincibility, can lead to rash decisions. This can lead to self-harm and behavioural problems that get you arrested.

The comedown from amphetamines can be horrific and is one of the biggest contributors to high addiction rates.

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Long-Term Symptoms Of Amphetamines

Amphetamine dependency is incredibly common because amphetamines are highly addictive. In the case of illegal amphetamines, their quality and purity vary, and they are often a potent mix of drugs designed to increase addiction rates. These are by far the most dangerous types of amphetamine.

The long-term effects of amphetamine abuse include:

• Tooth decay
• Migraines
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Bowel problems
• Stomach problems

Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of taking amphetamine drugs is the symptoms of psychosis, which are very similar to those of acute schizophrenia. You can suffer delusions, hallucinations, extreme mood swings, aggression, and extreme paranoia. These symptoms are unmanageable without proper treatment.

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Treatments And Therapies For Amphetamine Addiction

Amphetamines are extremely addictive, and the addiction is progressive – the more amphetamines you take, the more amphetamines you need to satisfy yourself. Before you know it, you’re hooked, and you can’t stop.

When a person uses amphetamines over a long period, they become dependent on the drug. This makes going ‘cold turkey’ impossible.

The correct treatment for amphetamine dependency is a detox in clinic accommodation so the symptoms of withdrawal can be supervised and managed.

Currently, there is no medication for amphetamine addiction treatment. This means your withdrawal symptoms will not be managed with medication. However, we may prescribe a course of antidepressants to treat your anxiety.

In addition to undergoing your detox in the safety of one of our rehab clinics, you will also need to undergo therapy to help you win the mental battle.

Here are some of the therapies available to us:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
• Interpersonal psychotherapy
• Guided self-help
• Addiction counselling/talking therapies

You will probably begin your addiction therapy during your detox in clinical care. This will give us the best opportunity to resolve the habits and triggers that lead you to drugs, so we can help you sustain your abstinence as an outpatient.

You may also benefit from a peer mentor or sponsor. Peer mentors can serve as a guide for your recovery because they have been there before.

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If you or someone you love is addicted to taking amphetamine drugs, you must get help as soon as possible. We provide free addiction and treatment advice and can get you into rehab in under 24-hours. Call us on [number] to get started.