Amphetamine Dependence

What are amphetamines?

Amphetamines are stimulants. They cause physical and psychological arousal, increased confidence, talkativeness, faster breathing and heart rate, more energy, and sleeplessness. In very high doses, they may cause seizures.

Amphetamines such as Dexedrine and Desoxyn might be prescribed to treat:

• narcolepsy (overwhelming sleepiness)
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD)
• weight loss
• asthma.

Most stimulants are taken as pills. Many are sold on the street as "speed" or "uppers." Stimulants such as caffeine and ephedrine are legal substances that may be included in nonprescription diet pills, natural remedies, and decongestants. Methamphetamine (also called ice) is an illegal type of stimulant that is smoked.

What is amphetamine dependence?

Dependence on amphetamines can be both psychological and physical. Psychological dependence means that you feel you cannot function normally without the drug. Physical dependence means that your body will develop symptoms of withdrawal if you don't have the drug.

How does it occur?

Amphetamines change body chemistry, especially in the brain. At first you use the drug because it makes you feel good. As you become dependent, you use the drug to avoid the psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.

Using illegal forms of a drug or taking too much of a prescribed drug can cause dependence.

You have a higher risk of becoming dependent on drugs if you have:

• a mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, or antisocial personality disorder
• a family history of drug abuse.

What are the symptoms of dependence?

People who use amphetamines for a long time:

• feel overexcited and nervous
• are irritable and depressed
• can't sleep.

They may also:

• lose their appetite
• lose their sex drive
• feel disoriented
• have learning problems
• take stimulants in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
• use the drug throughout the day
• start acting odd, suspicious, dramatic, erratic, or antisocial or become paranoid
• have problems in social activities and work, such as missing work, fighting, losing friends
• engage in risky behavior, such as reckless buying sprees or unsafe sexual practices
• not be able to reduce or stop the use of amphetamines even though they know the drugs are harmful.

Physical signs of amphetamine use include:

• dilated pupils
• dry mouth and nose
• bad breath
• frequent lip licking.

When people stop taking the drug and the level of it in the blood drops, there may be withdrawal symptoms such as:

• sweating or rapid pulse
• increased shakiness
• trouble sleeping
• nausea or vomiting
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• jumpiness
• anxiety
• seizures (convulsions)
• increased craving for amphetamines.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and drug use and examine you. A sample of your urine may be tested for drug use.

How is it treated?

For any treatment to be successful, you must want to give up amphetamines. Most amphetamine users who want to quit need to avoid all stimulants, including caffeine and tobacco.

Withdrawal from long-term amphetamine use causes depression. Withdrawal is usually not life threatening and does not cause physically painful symptoms.

Your health care provider may prescribe medicine to help you get through withdrawal, such as:

• antidepressants to help with both depression and drug craving
• sedatives to treat anxiety or trouble sleeping
• antipsychotics to treat paranoia and cravings.

You can join a self-help group (for example, Narcotics Anonymous), a support group, or a therapy group, or you might be treated in a supervised clinic program. The health care providers and counselors in any treatment program will work with you to help you have a life free from amphetamines.

How long do the effects last?

Recovery from amphetamine dependence can be a long-term process, but your symptoms will generally improve in 1 to 3 months.

How can I take care of myself?

The best way to help yourself is to see your health care provider and stop taking amphetamines.

Changing your lifestyle can also help you to stop using amphetamines. Make the following a regular part of your life:

• Exercise 30 minutes 3 times a week.
• Participate in relaxing recreation activities at least once or twice a week.
• Do relaxation exercises daily.
• Think of good things about your life often.
• Eat healthy meals.
• Get 8 hours of rest each night.
• Practice deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
• Talk and spend time with friends.
• Listen to music to help you relax.
• Get help at home and at work when the load is too great to handle.
• Seek professional help to talk through anxiety-producing life events. Ask for help in developing positive ways to cope.

For more information, contact:

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
PO Box 9999
Van Nuys, California 91409 USA
(818) 773-9999
Web site: http://www.na.org/index.htm