The risk is due to the “upper” (stimulant) hiding the fact that a person has taken too much of the “downer” (e.g., alcohol or Xanax). By the time a person realizes they are overdosing, it may be too late to get help. In many tragic cases, a person dies before they know that they were in danger. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies them as Schedule II controlled substances. This means that they have limited medical use and a high risk of addiction.
Amphetamines produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter that causes happiness and euphoria, and feelings of reward and pleasure in the limbic reward system of the brain. This artificial production of dopamine is highly addictive and causes many to become hooked on abusing amphetamines. Most forms of prescription amphetamines come in the form of pills or tablets but will occasionally be administered orally as a liquid.
Long-Term Effects Of Amphetamine Abuse
L-amphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant that is used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, and obesity. In addition, prescription amphetamines (such as Adderall and Vyvanse) are illegal when used without a prescription. These drugs are made illegally, and there is no control over their contents.
All of these side effects can be harmful to a person after long-term drug use. If you or someone you love are struggling with addiction, get in contact with us by filling in our online insurance verification form below. Let us remove the confusion and difficulty of verifying your insurance coverage for treatment. We have years of experience in the addiction space and contracts with many of the big name insurance providers. All information is confidential and there is no obligation to enter treatment.
What are the long-term effects of using it?
A person should only take medication that a doctor prescribes for them and should store their medications safely. No tests can determine drug misuse or addiction, but a medical professional can discuss a person’s substance use with them and assess possible risk factors that support the possibility. Doctors can prescribe amphetamines to people living with ADHD, among other conditions. People may also use the drugs in an unprescribed manner, such as to stay awake for a study deadline or to suppress appetite. Though prescribed amphetamines are legal, taking the drugs without a prescription is illegal in the U.S.
- It’s popularity then grew during World War II as active service members from the U.S., Japan, Germany and England were administered the drug to treat mild depression and to enhance alertness and endurance.
- These drugs are used for symptoms of ADHD because they increase a person’s focus and attention.
- This can be through sharing used needles with someone who has an infection.
- They may be whitish with traces of gray or pink and may be a coarse powder, or in crystals or chunks.
- This method gets the drug into the bloodstream and to the brain almost immediately, creating an intense high.
- Once tolerance develops, users need more of the drug to achieve the same effects.
If a person suspects that they may have a drug misuse problem, then they should consult a medical professional. It is important for people to remember that they do not need to feel embarrassed about seeking help. These medications are part of the phenethylamine group, which includes drugs that can cause hallucinations, enhance a desire for social contact, or act as stimulants.
Lifestyle changes
Methamphetamine resembles shaved glass slivers or clear rock salt. Symptoms could last between one to three days or how long do amphetamines stay in your blood up to 10 days after stopping an amphetamine. Certain genes are involved in mediating the action of amphetamines.
- If you or a loved one suffers from amphetamine addiction, please contact us today to speak with a specialist about treatment options.
- Addiction to amphetamines has been an issue since the 1940s, but it escalated in the 1980s with increased illicit production of methamphetamine, a very addictive stimulant known for its euphoric effects.
- The boxed warning addresses risks including addiction, abuse, misuse, life-threatening respiratory depression (breathing problems), and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (withdrawal symptoms in newborn baby).
Research shows that people with ADHD had a lower rate of substance use disorder if they were medically treated versus not receiving treatment. Although amphetamine withdrawal symptoms are not typically dangerous, they are uncomfortable, and complications can arise when there’s a severe underlying mental health condition. Relapse and continued use also increase your risk of serious health consequences or a potential overdose. Most drug screenings, such as those related to employment screenings, will look for amphetamines present. The most common method for testing for amphetamines is in urine, but it is also done through blood tests. In even less invasive testing, health care workers can use a strand of hair to detect the presence.
Notes
Amphetamines stimulate dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin receptors in the brain. Regularly using amphetamines causes a surge of these neurotransmitters in your brain that cause you to feel euphoric, more energetic, talkative, and confident. Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that increase activity in the central nervous system (CNS). The destructive properties of these drugs make people who abuse them feel depressed and even suicidal when they are not using the drug. As a result, cravings to keep using the drug can be very strong, making it difficult to stop use.
- When withdrawing from amphetamines, professionals will work with you to ensure you’re safe and comfortable.
- Methamphetamine (or “meth”) is the most powerful type of amphetamine.
- You’ve built up a tolerance if you need larger doses of amphetamines to achieve the same effect that lower doses once created.
- When taken as prescribed, amphetamines and related drugs do not cause addiction.
- Regular use of amphetamines, especially when the drug is smoked or injected, can quickly cause addiction.
- Learn more about the common types of care at drug treatment facilities across the United States.