Parents, Know the Facts! – Amphetamine

AMPHETAMINE IS A STRONG STIMULANT OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM USED TO TREAT NARCOLEPSY, ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER, AND OBESITY.

As a class of medications known as psychostimulants, amphetamines work by increasing the speed with which the brain and body communicate with one another. Historically, amphetamines have also been used to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's. Speed and other illicit amphetamines are also manufactured and sold. Additionally, amphetamines have been used to improve athletic performance.

Types of amphetamines: amphetamine, methamphetamine, dextroamphetamine.

ADMINISTRATION:

Generally, amphetamines are taken orally, injected, smoked, and snorted.

EFFECTS OF AMPHETAMINE

There is no safe level of substance misuse. The following effects may be experienced:

Quicker reaction times, feelings of energy/wakefulness, excitement, increased attentiveness and concentration, feelings of euphoria, dry mouth, headache, hostility, nausea, cognitive impairment, severe anxiety, lack of appetite, teeth grinding, dizziness, increased heart rate, heart palpitations, rapid breathing rate, hypertension (high blood pressure), increased body temperature, irregular heartbeat.

WITHDRAWAL

When a person becomes tolerant or addicted to a substance, the sudden stop of misusing the substance might cause withdrawal. These symptoms can include:

Fatigue and increased need for sleep, increased appetite, bodily movements and twitches, slowed reaction and movement, aches and pains, irritability and/or agitation, dreams that are often vivid and sometimes unpleasant, depression, problems with short-term memory, impaired ability to focus, concentrate, or maintain attention, lack of self-control, inability to experience pleasure (anhedonia), cravings, fatigue, sleep problems, physical complaints with no medical origin.

LONG TERM EFFECTS

Paranoia, hallucinations, violent behaviour, cravings for the drug, compulsive drug-seeking behaviour, convulsions, respiratory problems, loss of coordination, obsessive behaviour.