Amphetamine Addiction

Amphetamine Addiction is also commonly known as Speed Addiction. Speed is the more common street name for amphetamines. Many people inadvertently become addicted to amphetamines as they are widely used for the treatment of ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, narcolepsy and chronic fatigue. People dieting have found themselves addicted due to it’s appetite suppressing qualities. Amphetamines widely used as an economical, performance enhancing drug, costing as little as £7 per gram. Amphetamines work my increasing two neurotransmitters in the brain; Dopamine which is associated with reward and second Norepinephrine (otherwise known as noradrenalin). As part of the stimulant class of drugs Amphetamines produce alertness, confidence, raise energy levels, reduce appetite, lessens the need/ability to sleep.

Amphetamine Pharmaceutical Name

Alpha-methylphenethylamine

Amphetamine Street Names

Phet, Billy, Whizz, Sulph, Base, Paste, Dexies, Speed, Uppers, Amph, Sulphate, Grudge, Blues, Ups, Wake Ups, Bennies, Black Beauties, Jollies, Crazy Medicine, Crazy Horse

Amphetamine Trade Names

Adderall; Benzedrine; Dexedrine; DextroStat

Amphetamine Forms

Tablets, Capsules, Powder, Base (soft block). Amphetamine is often injected, however if they are prepared for injecting the drug classification goes up from class b to class a.

Amphetamine Doses

Different forms of Amphetamines will have different strengths base being one of the strongest. Amphetamine addicts will need to use more and more of the drug to experience the same highs.

Amphetamine History

Amphetamine was first synthesised in 1887 at the University of Berlin by Lazar Edeleanu. Nothing was done with it until the late 1920’s when Gordon Alles re-synthesised it and tested it on himself. It was found to raise blood pressure, enlarge nasal passages and stimulate the central nervous system. By 1932 it was being marketed in the USA as Benzedrine (an over the counter inhaler used to treat congestion). Smith and Kline then set about marketing it to the US Army. It soon became a recreational drug as its users liked the effects. People were opening the inhaler and eating the amphetamine soaked blotting paper inside.

By 1935 Amphetamines were being used to treat narcolepsy as it inhibits the need to sleep. In 1937 amphetamines were found to have a positive effect on children suffering with ADHD as it aided their concentration and helped to calm them. It wasn’t until 1956 that Amphetamines became available by prescription in the UK. The 1970’s saw slimming pills become fashionable. Tablets laced with amphetamines flooded the market. They were quickly discontinued owing to the serious side effects that they caused. People were suffering with vomiting, heart palpitations, insomnia, strokes, kidney failures, miscarriages, and heart attack. Despite being taken off the UK market slimming tablets are still available for internet order in different countries.

Amphetamine Side Effects

Amphetamine side effects can include any one or some of the following; decreased appetite, decreased fatigue, euphoria, hyperthermia, or increased body temperature, increased activity and attention, increased breathing rate, decreased appetite and weight loss, disregard for consequences of negative behaviours, feelings of isolation, feelings of well-being, hallucinations, irritability and mood swings, legal problems, paranoia, ravenous appetite, recurrent failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home, sleep disorders, use of amphetamines when it is dangerous, such as while driving, anxiety, depression, excessive sweating, headache, lethargy and fatigue, muscle and stomach cramps, tremors

Amphetamine Overdose

An amphetamine overdose is rarely fatal but overdose of amphetamines can produce seizures, hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, psychosis, hallucinations, stroke, and fatality. Habitual amphetamine lead to drug educed psychosis; this resembles paranoid schizophrenia in its symptoms.

Amphetamine Withdrawals

Withdrawal symptoms from chronic use of amphetamines can include; convulsions anxiety, agitation, cravings, depression, excessive sleeping, fatigue, increased appetite, irregular heart beat, irritability, hyperventilation, nausea, sweats, suicidal thoughts. There is no specific medication to deal with the withdrawal symptoms, though benzodiazepines and sleeping tablets are prescribed in some cases.