Substance-Related Disorders
Amphetamines
- Important Facts
- Symptoms of Intoxication
- Detoxification/Withdrawl Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prenatal Effects
- Negative Consequences
- Warning Signs That Amphetamines are a Problem
- For Parents: What to Look for
- For Parents: What to Listen for
Important Facts
- Amphetamines are stimulants.
- Amphetamines are typically taken orally or intravenously.
- Some people abuse amphetamines in an attempt to control their weight.
- Dependence can occur rapidly when used intravenously or when smoked.
- Approximately 7 percent of the population has tried amphetamines at least once.
- Amphetamines are most frequently used by people aged 18 to 30.
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Symptoms of Amphetamine Intoxication
- Acting in a pompous or boastful manner(grandiosity)
- Anger
- Chest pain or heart beat irregularities
- Coma
- Confusion
- Distorted perception of objects or events (hallucinations)
- Dull emotional response
- Excessive fears, worries and tension
- Excessively watchful or alert (hypervigilance)
- Feelings of great happiness or well-being (euphoria)
- Having irrational, suspicious, distrustful thoughts (paranoid thoughts)
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Increased physical activity or restlessness
- Irrational, angry or fearful response to loved ones
- Muscular weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Poor judgment which may lead to inappropriate or bizarre behavior
- Ringing sound in the ears (tinnitus)
- Seizures
- Slowed breath rate
- Sweating or chills
- The pupils of the eyes may be enlarged (dilated)
- Weight loss
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Detoxification/Withdrawal Symptoms
- Depressed mood
- Drug craving
- Fatigue
- Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Slowed movements or sudden, forceful movements
- Vivid, unpleasant dreams
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Treatment Therapies may Include
- Narcotics Anonymous or other program
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Vocational counseling
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Prenatal Effects
If amphetamines aretaken during pregnancy, the following may occur:
- The mother may have irregular blood flow to the placenta, premature labor and delivery.
- The baby may have low birth weight, birth defects, small head, genital and urinary tract deformities, heart defects, brain seizures and abnormal motor development.
- Babies born to mothers using amphetamines tend to be irritable, difficult to soothe and overly reactive to environmental stimuli.
- School-aged children who were exposed to amphetamines before birth tend to have learning disabilities and concentration, memory and social problems.
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Negative Consequences
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Brain damage
- Cardiovascular problems
- Coma
- Death from overdose
- Destruction of vital organs
- Extreme weight loss
- Hallucinations
- Higher rate of gunshot or knife wounds
- Higher rate of HIV
- Malnutrition
- Nose bleeds
- Seizures
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Warning Signs That Amphetamine use is a Problem
- Altered perception of reality (e.g., hallucinations, delusions and suspicious thoughts).
- Continued use despite significant problems related to amphetamine use, e.g., financial and/or legal difficulties.
- Craving amphetamines.
- Cutting back or stopping important social, occupational or recreational activities because of amphetamine use.
- Excessive weight loss.
- Finding it increasingly difficult to resist using amphetamines when they are available.
- Minimizing one’s consumption, including how often and the quantity of amphetamines used.
- Spending a great deal of time in activities necessary to obtain amphetamines, to the point that responsibilities are neglected.
- Unsuccessful attempts to control or reduce amphetamine use.
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For Parents: What to Look for
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For Parents: What to Listen for
- Amped-out
- Brownies
- Crank
- Crystal meth
- Hi speeds, high speed
- Ice
- L.A. turnarounds
- Lip poppers
- Pep-pill
- Pillhead
- Speckled birds, speckled eggs
- Speed
- Turnarounds
- Ups
- Wired
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