Understanding and Putting an End to Amphetamine Addiction

Being Addicted to Amphetamines

There are many drugs which may have started out as appetite suppressants, only to be abandoned- or eventually used for other reasons. Amphetamines are one of the drug types which fall into this category. A synthetic drug, amphetamines were introduced as drugs to be used as appetite suppressants, and prescribed for weight control. There were other conditions, such as narcolepsy- a sleep condition, and ADHD- attention deficit disorder, which the drugs were meant to aid, but eventually addicts found them appealing, and begin to use them for their stimulating qualities. They are still prescribed for medical conditions, but they are currently one of the drugs found on street corners, and purchased by addicts everyday. The difference is that unfortunately, addicts have no clue what the drug is being mixed with, in order to "stretch" it, or decrease its purity- which often result in adverse reaction to the street level versions of the drug.

The Appeal

Addicts are attracted to amphetamines as they provide a feeling of euphoria, power, and self confidence- which eventually equates to depression on its flipside. Addicts tend to be boisterous, with erratic behavior which often causes impulsive reactions. Getting high means staying up for days on end, as the body has a much harder time dissolving the drug into the system. This leads to what may appear to be a "crack addict" with a prolonged sense of hype; the addict which uses amphetamines may experience many of the characteristics of a cocaine addict, but for much longer periods. If it were not for the adverse effects of the drug, there may be a way of saying the addict is getting much "bang for their buck", in all actuality many addicts believe this to be true.

Effects of Use

Amphetamines, cause effects which are not always reversible, and some even end in death. This is not very different from most street drugs, however because the body can't break this drug down, side effects can be much more likely. Effects from amphetamine use which should not be overlooked are:

• breathing problems
• swelling of the throat or face
• itching from hives
• heart palpitations or irregular beating
• incoherence, confusion
• hallucinating

The above effects are serious, and should be tended to by a physician. Call 911, or head to your emergency room if they become troublesome. Not all side effects warrant a trip to the ER. Other side effects which come along with amphetamine use are:

• inability to sleep
• feeling of nervousness
• anxious feelings
• experiencing a weird taste
• diarrhea
• constipation
• decreased sex drive

There are both mental and physical dependencies associated with amphetamine use. Unlike heroin and cocaine- whose dependency is more so one or the other, amphetamine use causes the addict both physical and mental withdrawals. Many of the less serious side effects of the drug are common, and should be mentioned to one's doctor if on a prescribed regimen.

How the High is Achieved

Amphetamines can be used by snorting, injecting or swallowing the drug as well. Depending on the way the addict uses the drug, and the potency- the high can be very intense; the amount of time it takes to feel the rush of euphoria varies also. When used intravenously, the high is immediate. Snorting through the nose takes the drug through the route of the mucous membrane, resulting in a high which comes within five to ten minutes. When taking swallowing amphetamine pills, it takes twenty minutes or so before feeling any sort of high. This is because the pill must first dissolve, as it passes through one's digestive system- however, this makes for a much more balanced high.

Ending Addiction

When prescription drugs are popular enough to be sold on the streets, chances are they have the potency to be lethal if not used wisely. Prescribed medicine is meant to be supervised by a physician; both dose, and how a patient responds to the medicine is monitored. However, when that very same drug is mixed with other chemicals, and sold on the street- there is no way of knowing what the dose is, nor is there anyway to monitor its effects; not many addicts are concerned enough to get in depth about their drugs anyway. Unfortunately, if the average addict were more inquisitive, perhaps snorting drugs which are not meant to go through one's mucous membrane would be out of the question- let alone shooting it directly into the bloodstream. There is an unnecessary risk which goes along with this way of getting high, which can't be understood unless an addiction is present. If you or your loved one is addicted to amphetamines, whether prescribed or illegal versions of the drug, seek help. It's never too late to get one's life back, and the journey is well worth taking. If you're afraid that you'll have to take even more prescription medications to be treated, this is not true. Getting help with amphetamine addiction should not mean taking the chance on even more drugs. Thankfully, there are holistic treatments which allow addicts to get clean without further use of drugs- putting an end to the physical and mental grip amphetamines have thrust upon their lives.