Many amphetamines are classified as Schedule II controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration, indicating they have a high potential for abuse but also a recognized medical value. This comprehensive guide examines the nature of these powerful substances, their medical applications, potential risks, and treatment options for those struggling with dependence. Similar to the effect of smoking on the risk of cancer, our study was attempting to investigate the effect of amphetamine use on the risk of psychosis. In common with smoking status that is ever changing during the follow-up period, amphetamine use status is also a time varying covariate.
What does amphetamine do to the brain?
Over the past five years, increases in the misuse of psychostimulants have occurred among professionals in high-pressure industries in Wall Street and Silicon Valley. These medications are used to cope with demanding workloads and extended hours. Chronic misuse of stimulants can result in mood swings, depression, irritability, and even psychosis. She misused Adderall, experiencing hallucinations and delusions, culminating in a near-tragic incident where she almost jumped off a bridge. These drugs may be taken orally, snorted, smoked, or injected—methods that all increase the risks of addiction and long-term health damage. If you or someone you know experiences symptoms of an amphetamine overdose, you should contact emergency medical services immediately by calling 911.
Supported living
At FHE, we are committed to assisting you in making progress towards a new life free from the grips of addiction. Identifying that there is a problem with addiction starts with assessing the frequency and amount of amphetamine consumption. This can help a person determine when drug use is being out of control and may encourage them to work towards positive changes. Contingency management and cognitive-behavioral therapies have the strongest evidence. Adjunctive medications (bupropion, modafinil) and structured programs like the Matrix Model also improve outcomes.
These treatment programs involve different modalities including detox, individual counseling, behavioral therapy, and peer support. It is important to note that some adverse effects of amphetamine use are also symptoms of ADHD. Beyond the administration method, the unpredictable purity and potency of illicit amphetamines, especially when cut with other substances, creates a lethal risk of severe health consequences. People mix amphetamines with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines to manage the intense stimulant effects or intensify their high. This simultaneous use of multiple Drug rehabilitation drugs—known as polysubstance abuse—dramatically increases the risk of fatal overdose. This supervised process involves gradually reducing drug intake while managing withdrawal symptoms.
Diagnosis of Amphetamine UseDiagnosis of Amphetamine Use
When amphetamines are ingested they stimulate the body’s release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These chemical messengers play an important role in regulating mood, motivation, and pleasure, along with heart rate and appetite. While the effects of amphetamines are almost immediate, tolerance builds quickly, which frequently increases the amount needed to produce the desired effect. During periods of non-use, the user may recall the feeling of euphoria produced by the drug and desire to take it again. In certain cases, psychotic symptoms can last for months or years after methamphetamine abuse has ceased.
The half-life of a drug refers to the time it takes for the drug’s concentration in the bloodstream to reduce by half of its original amount. Based on dosage, the half-life of amphetamine can be between 9 and 13 hours in adults. Amphetamines are safe when used as prescribed but are highly addictive when abused. With a maximum of just 22 teens in our care at any time, our team has the space to build meaningful, personal relationships with each adolescent and stay closely connected to every family. Lifestyle changes encompass adopting healthier habits, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep, which can aid in recovery.
Outpatient programs allow individuals to continue their daily responsibilities while receiving regular therapy sessions, medication management, and support group participation. The level of intensity can vary, with some programs offering more frequent or intensive treatment. A medically supervised detox can help manage withdrawal symptoms safely and comfortably. Medical supervision provides safety, emotional support alongside strategies to manage cravings, which increases the likelihood of a successful recovery. While rare in the UK, it’s more common in some other countries and carries a high risk of rapid dependence and severe health consequences. Often prescribed for conditions like ADHD or narcolepsy, these medications can be safe and effective under medical supervision but long-term use or misuse can still lead to dependence.
You are not able to control your use of it and you need it to get through daily life. You usually do not get addicted to prescription amphetamines when you take them at the right dosage to treat your health condition. The symptoms and side effects of amphetamine use can vary depending on the level and duration of an individual’s consumption. The estimated annual prevalence of a stimulant use disorder involving amphetamines is 0.2 percent among U.S. adults, according to the DSM-5.
Cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and decision-making can impair daily life and productivity. Treatment aims to restore mental clarity, stabilize mood, and alleviate the psychological distress caused by addiction. Addiction happens when you use amphetamines to get high or improve performance.
Between 1996 and 2003 spending on direct-to-consumer advertising increased by 400%, from $791 million to $3.2 billion (43). Furthermore, in 2004, the amount spent on direct-to-consumer advertising increased to over $4 billion, another 23% increase from the year prior (43). In 2022, the National Institute of Health granted $78 million for the study of ADHD, compared to $655 million allocated for depression (19). The effects of amphetamine use depend on dosage, individual tolerance, and method of intake. Healthcare professionals typically recommend extended-release formulations for medical use to maintain stable drug levels and reduce abuse potential. Amphetamine use disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite negative consequences.
- In 2020, about 5.1 million people in the United States reported misusing prescription stimulants, such as Adderall, within the past year.
- However, what starts as experimentation can quickly spiral into addiction, leading to devastating consequences for their physical and mental well-being.
- The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) categorized amphetamines as a Schedule II Substance.
- In addition, amphetamine users often have lower socioeconomic status, which could be the issue leading to amphetamine use as well as the development of psychosis.
- The long-term effects of amphetamine abuse can create permanent and severe physical and psychological problems.
- Typically, treatment plans are different for everyone but here are some of the kinds of treatments that you might engage in.
For individuals with ADHD, amphetamines improve concentration and reduce impulsivity, making daily tasks more manageable. In cases of narcolepsy, they are effective in combating excessive daytime sleepiness, helping individuals stay awake and alert. The first step in addiction treatment is detoxification, which involves removing amphetamines from the body and managing withdrawal symptoms. Medical professionals closely monitor individuals during this process to ensure their safety and well-being.
- We also used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression for stratified analyses of age, sex, number of arrests and comorbidities to investigate the association between amphetamine use and psychosis.
- The illicit production, distribution, and usage of amphetamines have contributed to a significant increase in substance abuse issues and devastating consequences in countless communities.
- Recovery doesn’t stop after the initial treatment programme has been completed.
- For whatever reason, someone who has been religiously taking amphetamines is much more likely than a first-time user to become psychotic from the drug.
Staying connected to these resources can make a significant difference in sustaining long-term recovery and personal growth. For people using amphetamines as prescribed, the risk exists because the brain may still begin to crave the heightened dopamine levels. This can create a cycle where the individual feels compelled to take the medication more frequently or in higher doses. These changes highlight the careful balance needed when using amphetamines to manage medical conditions. Although amphetamines serve important medical purposes, their misuse can lead to addiction Drug rehabilitation and serious health risks. This is why it’s crucial to use them only under medical supervision, ensuring safe and effective treatment.