What are amphetamines?
Amphetamines are a class of synthetic drugs that stimulate the central nervous system (CNS). They are legally prescribed for use in the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy and, rarely, in cases of extreme obesity.
Commonly Prescribed Amphetamines
- Adderall.
- Dexedrine.
- Vyvanse.
Despite being legal but controlled prescription substances, amphetamines are illicitly abused for their potent stimulant effects, which are similar to those of cocaine.
Due to their stimulant effects on various processes in the body and the rewarding highs that they elicit, amphetamines have the potential to be physiologically and psychologically addictive.
amphetamines have the potential to increase activity in both the body and the brain. While this increased activity increases alertness, attention, and energy, it can also have a range of side effects, some of which are dangerous or even life-threatening.
Users of these amphetamine drugs need to be aware that dependence and addiction are potential risks, even if they are taking the substances therapeutically. These risks increase when the drugs are abused, as the typical medical oversight that occurs among those taking amphetamines for medical need is absent.
Addictive Properties of Amphetamines
Amphetamine users progressively take increasingly larger doses in order to experience the drugs’ expected “high” effects.
The brain is made up of neurons (nerve cells) that communicate with each other through the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters. Amphetamines act on a family of key brain neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and dopamine) which are related to attention, alertness, blood flow, reward, motor control, and motivation. Amphetamines boost the effects of these chemicals in the brain and body. The associated increase in activity of these neurotransmitters can induce a feeling of euphoria, as well as a rewarding feeling that motivates continued use.
People who use amphetamines regularly develop a tolerance to them, which means that they need to increase their dosages in order to get the same effects. This process will continue for as long as a person keeps taking the drugs. The resulting cycle of amplified tolerance and increasingly compulsive drug use fosters addiction and accounts for amphetamines’ high addictive potential.
Amphetamine Dependence and Cravings
A person trying to quit amphetamine use will experience strong physical and psychological cravings for the drug. As addicts use amphetamines, their bodies chemically adjust to the persistent presence of the drugs, and after stopping, they may feel worse or perform sub-optimally. This state of physiological dependence results in powerful cravings when the individual is not using—a major contributor to relapse. Cravings can last for several weeks, while accompanying effects of withdrawal such as depression can last for months and even years after discontinuing use.
When users experience cravings, they often are convinced that they cannot function without the drugs, since the boost of energy that amphetamines supply is intense and difficult to mimic in normal life. They also may use amphetamines to cope with personal issues or psychological pain. Therefore, they become psychologically dependent on the powerful effects that the drugs provide in order to keep them feeling motivated or to “numb” emotional pain and distress.
Signs of Addiction
- Taking more amphetamines than originally intended (or using them for longer than intended).
- Wanting to stop using but failing at attempts to do so.
- Spending a lot of time obtaining the drugs.
- Using amphetamines even when they cause physical or mental distress or lead to social/interpersonal problems.
- Craving amphetamines when not using them.
- Developing a tolerance to the drugs.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using
Cravings (both physical and psychological) are particularly acute at the beginning of detox. The longer that the user remains amphetamine-free, the fewer cravings he will experience. In the absence of amphetamines, the brain is able to reestablish its chemical balance. Cravings can be the last withdrawal symptoms to dissipate.
Methods of Use and the Effects of Amphetamine Use
Amphetamines may be taken orally, snorted, smoked, or injected. Initially small doses exert a profound effect. Depending on the method, the user may experience an intense ‘rush’ or a prolonged ‘high’. Both effects are believed to be due to the release of high levels of dopamine into the pleasure-regulating areas of the brain.
Oral administration of amphetamines is the only route used in therapeutic settings, but it is also a common method of recreational use.
When snorted or inhaled, amphetamines are absorbed rapidly through the mucous membrane. Most prescription stimulant abusers inhale the drugs as their primary method of use.
Injection of amphetamines is the most complicated and dangerous method of administering amphetamines—not only due to the drugs’ intense effects, but also because of the dangers surrounding needle use. Many variables can cause dose ineffectiveness, serious side effects, and even death. Additionally, the inherent risks of this method (disease transmission, infection, abscesses, and other damage due to inadequate technique) make injecting amphetamines a particularly risky habit. Amphetamine Effects: Short- and Long-Term
Short-term effects of amphetamines may include:
- Euphoria or brief, elated mood.
- Talkativeness.
- Reduced appetite.
- Dry mouth.
- Headaches.
- Nausea.
- Mild delusions.
- Hypertension (raised blood pressure).
- Rapid heart rate.
Over the long term, abuse of amphetamines can lead to:
- Extreme mood changes.
- Malnutrition.
- More frequent signs of psychosis (e.g. paranoia, tactile and auditory hallucinations, etc.).
- Difficulty breathing.
- Loss of motor coordination.
- Disequilibrium.
- Markedly disrupted sleep patterns.
- Seizures or strokes.
Mixing Amphetamines With Alcohol
Combining alcohol with amphetamines is extremely risky, because the stimulant effects of amphetamines counter the user’s awareness of alcohol intoxication, which can lead to excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol poisoning. This combination also increases heart rate and blood pressure leading to heart attacks occurring when alcohol and amphetamines are used together.
Amphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms
When a user stops taking amphetamines, they may experience stimulant withdrawal symptoms, because their body and mind have to get used to functioning without the substances. Some amphetamine withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced include:
- Irritability.
- Body and muscle pain.
- Depressed mood.
- Impaired social functioning.
- Fatigue.
- Sleeping problems.
- Vivid nightmares.
- Body restlessness or slowing.
- Increased appetite.
- Loss of interest or pleasure.
- Cravings for the drug.
The acute initial symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal can last for 1-2 days, followed by a period of days to weeks of mood changes, sleep disturbances, low energy levels, and cravings.
Cravings—which are one of the hallmark signs of withdrawal—can, in some cases, lead to drug relapse even when there is no conscious desire to use drugs. The brain becomes conditioned to associate past use behaviors and the pleasurable effects of drugs with emotions, events, and thoughts that can trigger cravings and encourage the individual to return to use in order to obtain these feelings once again.
Quitting amphetamines can be a difficult and uncomfortable process. Seeking addiction treatment in a professional drug rehabilitation center that offers supervised detox can increase a person’s level of comfort during the process and help to minimize the risk of relapse. Additionally, should any medical issues arise during the process, treatment can be initiated immediately. This is especially important because someone going through detox on their own may not be able to distinguish between benign withdrawal symptoms and those that would benefit from medical intervention—such as severely depressed mood.
How to Get Help for Amphetamine Addiction
There are Best rehab center in India like Zorbacare available to help those addicted to amphetamines. Initially, the user will have to go through a period of amphetamine detox. During this phase, medications may be used to help manage troublesome and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
After detox, formal treatment, including therapy and counseling, begins. Below are the treatment modalities available:
- Residential detox—Short-term inpatient treatment for the initial stages of withdrawal followed by
- Inpatient/residential treatment—A treatment type in which the patient resides at the facility to focus completely on treatment. Stays typically last for 90 days.
Relapse Prevention
A relapse prevention plan will help the user tremendously, not only with preventing amphetamine relapse but also with avoiding a problem with other drugs and/or alcohol. When the user leaves an addiction treatment facility, it is imperative that they do so with a plan of action at hand. The treatment team in Zorbacare the best rehab in Mumbai and Pune creates a plan to be followed before discharging the recovering addict from treatment. The plan is customized to meet the individual’s needs and address any unique challenges.
While the appropriate recovery approach will vary from individual to individual, the following sobriety-promoting tools are available and helpful for many as they navigate through the journey of recovery.
- 12-step meetings (or other recovery programs).
- Sponsorship.
- Life coaching.
- Counseling sessions.
- Meditation.
- Exercise.
- Nutritional guidance.
- Family support.
The more tools that the recovering addict has in his toolbox, the more likely he will be to possess and utilize the right one when temptation arises. Early recovery can be challenging and tends to be full of surprises. Preparation can make the journey a lot easier. The recovering amphetamine addict needs to learn to spot various relapse triggers and have readily available relapse prevention tools to be used at the right moment.