Amphetamines and Their Effects
Amphetamines come in a variety of forms and can be used for a variety of purposes. The first category of amphetamines is legal, and it is frequently used to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, among others (ADF, 2017).
Illegal Use and Health Consequences
The second category of amphetamines, on the other hand, is illegal and has a variety of negative consequences for its users. The type of amphetamine known as "speed" by scientists is unlawful because it negatively impacts addicts' health (ADF, 2017). More specifically, the illegal amphetamines that people smoke, inject, snort, or swallow are often made up of various substances, caffeine, sugar, and binding agents, among other things (CESAR, 2017).
Short and Long-term Effects
Furthermore, researchers opine that the effects of amphetamine on the health of an individual depend on the person's weight, body size, and the amount of the drug that one has taken. Also, after taking the illegal amphetamine, one starts to feel the impact of the drug either immediately or after 30 minutes (ADF, 2017). After two to four days, an amphetamine user will suffer hallucination, weight loss, mood swings, and blurred vision, thus reducing the effectiveness of an individual in performing various tasks (ADF, 2017).
Scientists also argue that the long-term effects of addiction to amphetamines include depression, anxiety, muscle stiffness, and respiratory complications. Besides, large doses and frequent use of amphetamines lead to psychosis, a situation whose features entail paranoid delusions and aggressiveness (Better Health Channel, n.d).
Challenges of Withdrawal
According to the studies that clinicians have conducted, sudden withdrawal from the use of amphetamines is highly challenging for the users due to the numerous health problems that arise from the pullout (CESAR, 2017).
References
Alcohol and Drug Foundation, ADF. (2017). Amphetamines. Retrieved from https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/amphetamines/
Better Health Channel. (n.d). “Amphetamines.” Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/amphetamines
Center for Substance Abuse and Research, CESAR. (2015).Amphetamines. Retrieved from http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/amphetamines.asp
