Signs, Side Effects & Symptoms of Amphetamine Abuse

Amphetamines are a kind of stimulant that impact the body’s central nervous system, which is responsible for all bodily functions. Because these drugs can alter brain chemistry, they may cause or exacerbate existing mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Users who have a family or personal history of mental illness are particularly vulnerable. Some amphetamines, like Dexedrine, are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. They are prescribed to children and adults with medical conditions like ADHD, Parkinson’s disease, obesity and narcolepsy. However, because of their euphoric effects, amphetamines are often abused for recreational purposes. These drugs can be powerfully addictive — especially in people who use them without medical supervision.

Signs of Amphetamine Abuse

When a person uses amphetamines, their brain receives a rapid burst of the “feel good” brain chemical, dopamine. Over time, if the brain continues to regularly receive an unusual, artificial surge of dopamine, it becomes accustomed to the chemical rush, creating physical dependency. Thus, withdrawal occurs if the dependent user goes without amphetamines.

The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies amphetamines as Schedule II substances, which indicates that while the drugs may have a legitimate medical use, they carry a high potential for abuse and also for severe psychological and physical dependence. Schedule II drugs are considered dangerous substances when used without the supervision of a doctor. However, even when used medically, amphetamines can cause serious problems. No matter how amphetamines are taken, addiction can occur easily.

When amphetamine abuse is taking place, tangible signs are often present. For example, you may notice your loved one wearing new, smaller clothing items. Amphetamines are appetite suppressants, so many users simply forget to eat because they do not feel hungry. This can lead to weight loss and the need for a smaller-sized wardrobe. For the same reasons, you may also find untouched meals and unfinished snacks or notice a lack of groceries in the refrigerator.

[elementor-template id="4848"]

Amphetamines like Adderall are manufactured in pill form and are intended for oral ingestion. However, many addicts use alternative consumption methods to achieve a more intense high faster; snorting or injecting are most-common ways of abuse.Both of these methods involves crushing pills, so you may find powdery remnants of crushed amphetamine pills on the bathroom sink or on handheld mirrors. The powder may be white, light blue or dark blue, depending on the particular drug’s formulation.

Physical Symptoms of Amphetamine Abuse

Amphetamines carry significant side effects that impact both your mind and body. Much of the time, the physical symptoms of amphetamine abuse are quite visible.Some common ways amphetamine abuse manifests physically include:

Long-Term Effects of Amphetamine Abuse

It is difficult to stop abusing stimulants once you have started, but long-term stimulant abuse can lead to a very grave and chronic brain disease: addiction. As the body adjusts to an amphetamine, it develops a need for more of the substance in order to achieve the same effects, such as euphoria. This tolerance eventually results in dependency, when a person needs to continue taking amphetamines to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. Even in the short term, dependency can be a slippery slope down into addiction. Addiction is just one of many problems that extended amphetamine abuse can cause.Other serious physical ailments long-term amphetamine abuse can cause include:

Long-term amphetamine abuse can also cause seriouspsychological problems, including the following:

Even if addiction does not develop, amphetamine dependence can lead to unpleasant symptoms when you try to stop taking the drugs. Detox can lead to amphetamine withdrawal,which is marked by the following:

Fatigue and loss of energySleeping too much or too little
Apathy / DysphoriaSlowed motor activity
DepressionUnexplained weight gain
Suicidal ideationVivid nightmares
Inability to feel pleasureNausea and vomiting

Amphetamine Overdose

Like other drugs of abuse, amphetamines can cause overdose if a user takes too large an amount. Stimulants raise blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature, all of which can be dangerous if they reach high levels. Especially when combined with other substances, like alcohol or additional stimulant drugs, amphetamines pose a very real overdose risk. If a person takes too much of an amphetamine drug, keep an eye out for the following overdose symptoms. Amphetamine overdose can cause death.If you notice any or all of the following, seek emergency help right away:

You may be able to treat amphetamine overdose at home using calming, stabilizing measures like reassurance, hydration and as calm an atmosphere as possible. Additionally, depending on the level of severity, treatment may also require medications. In many cases, doctors will administer relaxing drugs such as benzodiazepines in order to prompt a medication-induced sedation. If psychosis is present, antipsychotic medications may be prescribed. Calcium channel blockers, alpha-blockers and beta-blockers may also prove helpful for amphetamine-related rapid heart rate.