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
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2005 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.