Amphetamines are a class of stimulant drugs that are commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. However, they are also frequently abused for their euphoric effects, leading to recreational and non-medical use. For more detailed information on amphetamine addiction and rehabilitation, please refer to our existing page on Amphetamine Addiction & Rehab. Amphetamines work by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which can produce a sense of euphoria, increased energy, and heightened focus.
Psychological signs of amphetamine addiction
These drugs are known by different street names, such as speed, ice, crank, or Adderall when used for non-medical purposes. They are often abused due to their ability to produce euphoria, increase energy, and suppress appetite. Addiction means that cravings and compulsive use of the drug become very important to a person. If drug use is stopped, the person usually goes through withdrawal, also called “the crash.” Symptoms of withdrawal can include fatigue, restless sleep, irritability, intense hunger, depression, suicidal behaviour and fits of violence. Amphetamines reduce hunger and increase breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
Mental Health and Loneliness
Or maybe you have a sleep disorder that makes you nod off when you need to be awake. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can tell you more about possible or likely side effects. They can also tell you which side effects need immediate care and which can wait for an amphetamine addiction appointment. You miss out on or don’t go to as many recreational, social, or work activities because of your amphetamine use. Recovery means different things to different people, according to their experiences, belief systems, culture, identity, and method of recovery.
- This rewiring of the brain’s reward system contributes to the development of addiction and makes it challenging for individuals to quit using amphetamines.
- The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
- Some behavioral signs of amphetamine use are nearly instantaneous after a dose, such as talkativeness.
- This can lead to a phenomenon known as tolerance, where higher and higher doses are required to achieve the same desired effects.
- Of the 4065 participants reported on in the reviewed studies, 2858 (70.3%) were male.
Long-term Effects
Additionally, individuals may experience weight loss, sleep disturbances, dental problems, and skin issues. Amphetamine is a powerful central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drug that is used primarily to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Amphetamine works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which play crucial roles in regulating mood, attention, and arousal. When patients appear intoxicated and have symptoms consistent with amphetamine toxicity, testing for metabolites of amphetamine can be useful to confirm a diagnosis of the condition. Obtaining an accurate medication history for the patient may allow a diagnosis to be made independently of drug metabolite testing. Therefore, obtaining medication histories should always be a focus during the evaluation of patients who are intoxicated.
- Vicodin’s street names include “vike” and “Watson-387.” If you feel sick, like you’re having the flu, after stopping any of these opioid medications, your body may have become dependent.
- However, there are a number of medications that are FDA-approved for other illnesses that might also be useful in treating amphetamine addiction.
- Staying connected to these resources can make a significant difference in sustaining long-term recovery and personal growth.
Studies are often limited by small sample sizes in defined populations, and with low treatment retention or completion rates. Different treatment options may be indicated for various degrees of severity of disorder. Optimal psychosocial interventions accompanying medication must also be considered. Further and substantial investment to determine effective pharmacotherapies is required. Populations under-represented in the literature must also be addressed in future research. Harmonisation of outcomes and outcome measures to produce results that can be synthesised by meta-analyses should be a sector-wide imperative, to ensure better research synthesis.
- This alteration in brain chemistry reinforces the desire to use amphetamines repeatedly, eventually leading to dependence and difficulty experiencing pleasure without the drug.
- The first step is an assessment to evaluate the extent of the addiction and any underlying issues.
- Here we look at the types of amphetamines, their effects, potential for addiction, and treatment options.
- Since over 95% of pharmaceutical amphetamines are either d-amphetamine or a mixture of d- and l-amphetamine salts, this review concentrates on these compounds.
- Provision of client-centred care requires future work to address the need to better understand concepts of treatment matching or stepped care.
Involving family and friends during counseling can help support you and keep you from going back to using (relapsing). Peer support groups, such as 12-step programs or SMART Recovery, can provide a valuable source of community, accountability, and encouragement throughout the recovery process. Connecting alcoholism treatment with others who have faced similar challenges can help individuals feel less alone and more empowered in their journey. Amphetamine was initially synthesized in Berlin in 1887 as 1-methyl-2-phenethylamine.
Methamphetamine
Some people can experience quite intense symptoms (also known as ‘speed crash’). This can cause nausea, extreme exhaustion, irritability and feeling depressed. Many pills or capsules sold as MDMA contain only small amounts of MDMA, or sometimes none. In 2019, 1.3% of Australians had used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months. According to the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, meth/amphetamine use has significantly declined since 2001.
If you take more of the amphetamine than prescribed and use it to improve mood or performance, it can be highly addictive and be classed as a prescription drug dependence. The body can build up a tolerance to amphetamines very quickly, which means you need more of the drug to achieve the same high effect. Treatment for people with a high tolerance to Amphetamine may require full Amphetamine detoxing to assist recovery. Recovery from amphetamine addiction is a lifelong process that requires ongoing support. After completing formal treatment programs, individuals can benefit from aftercare services, such as continued counseling, relapse prevention strategies, and community support groups.
Two Iranian studies reviewed examined opioid agonists, one buprenorphine 57 and one buprenorphine and methadone 24. Both studies were in MA-dependent inpatient males with no co-occurring substance use disorder. The second study examined buprenorphine (8 mg SL OD) versus methadone (40 mg po OD) over 17 days, with 20 participants in each study arm. There was a reduction in MA craving compared with placebo, and no participants produced MA-positive UDS in the study period, but the setting was a controlled inpatient environment 24. Another study examined sustained-release oral dexamphetamine (30 mg po BD) for 60 MA-dependent participants 35.