Amphetamines: Uses, Side Effects, and Addiction Treatment

In 2006, 24.7 million individuals aged 15‐64 consumed amphetamine type stimulants (UNODC 2008). Among chronic users of amphetamines, evidence is accruing to describe the range of public health problems attributable to sustained heavy use of the drug. Medical consequences of chronic use of amphetamines include cardiovascular insults, cognitive dysfunction and infectious disease (Meredith 2005; Pasic 2007). Development Amphetamine Addiction of one or more medications for amphetamine withdrawal, particularly if implemented with evidence‐based behavioral or counselling interventions, would have great public health significance. Symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal are time limited, with most resolving in a week. In clinical practice and in the studies reviewed, treatment is started as soon as possible following the last dose of amphetamine.

• Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea.
• Your doctor may also prescribe other medications to help relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and aggression.
• However, assessments of amphetamines abuse were largely based on self-report.
• Due to the toxic nature of these substances, users may develop brain damage or sudden death.

Social Media Addiction

This is from activities such as sharing used needles with someone who is already infected with one of these diseases. Other risky behaviors that can be linked to drug use, such as having unsafe sex, can also increase the chance of becoming infected with one of these diseases. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (a form of psychotherapy) helps some people stay free of amphetamines. During drug withdrawal, long-term users may need to be hospitalized so that they can be observed for suicidal behavior. Otherwise, no treatment is generally needed for people experiencing withdrawal.

Treatment for Behavioral Addiction

For both CGI and BSI‐GSI, a higher score indicates greater severity. Contact your provider if you or someone you know is addicted to amphetamines and needs help to stop using. Also contact your provider if you are having withdrawal symptoms that concern you. Addiction https://ecosoberhouse.com/ happens when you use amphetamines to get high or improve performance. You are not able to control your use of it and you need it to get through daily life. People who use these drugs, especially methamphetamine, have a high chance of getting HIV and hepatitis B and C.

• Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried.
• According to Smith, “The initial approach to addiction at the HAFC drug detoxification program revolved around therapeutic engagement, dealing with patients’ medical and psychiatric issues.
• Others suffered serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other illnesses.

When to see a doctor

• However, meth has a high potential for abuse, which can mean dangerous and fatal consequences.
• People eventually found, however, that the medical value of amphetamines is offset by their dangerous effects and high abuse potential (the chance a drug will be abused, cause addiction or be otherwise harmful).
• This damage leads to dysregulation of glutamate in the cerebral cortex, a precursor to psychosis.

Amphetamines contain a methyl group to the alpha position on its carbon chain resulting in lipophilicity, increasing its volume of distribution, and CNS stimulation. Amphetamines block monoamine reuptake transport systems resulting in high synaptic concentrations. Amphetamines are also indirect neurotransmitters leading to increased cytosolic levels of monoamines. It is theorized the excess dopamine in the cytosol leads to drug craving and seeking and psychiatric symptoms.

• Amphetamines are metabolized via the cytochrome CYP2D6 pathway and renally and hepatically excreted.
• Some are common, and others are more serious, especially with misuse or use in combination with other substances like alcohol, opioids, or other stimulants.
• The proper name for addiction to a substance is substance use disorder (SUD).

What to know about amphetamine addiction

UKAT believes there are underlying reasons for all kinds of addiction. For example, regarding amphetamine addiction, people tend to depend on the drug to boost their improvement in work or studies. This may derive from a pressure environment where people feel stressed to achieve specific targets, goals, or grades. Comparison 1 Any pharmacological treatment versus Placebo, Outcome 3 Average score in withdrawal symptoms. The average score in global state was reported in three of the four included studies.

Detection in body fluids