Amphetamines Addiction - Mental Health Impact

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Amphetamines are addictive stimulants. Extensive and extended use can result in both physical and psychological addiction; the result being that without the substance a person will feel that they can’t function effectively without drugs. If an Amphetamines user stops use quickly, the person will also experience physical symptoms of withdrawal. Methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice’, is an illegal substance that can be used or consumed by a number of methods, including tablet, smoking or snorting

Amphetamines stimulate both the body and mind. As a result, feelings of increased confidence, talkativeness, increased energy, rapid breathing and heart rate and sleeplessness will occur. An overdose of the drugs may cause the user to have a seizure. Most people who become addicted to Amphetamines begin taking the drugs because they enjoy the effects that the drugs have on them. Over time, however, as dependence sets in users will experience feelings of withdrawal that become more painful. Ongoing use of the drugs reduces or eliminates the uncomfortable side effects leading people to continue and increase their dependence on the drugs. Symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal include anxiety, nausea, sweating, rapid pulse rates, shakiness, hallucinations, seizures and heightened cravings for the drugs.

Dependence on amphetamines can be both psychological and physical. Psychological dependence means that you feel you cannot function normally without the drug; physical dependence means that your body will develop symptoms of withdrawal if you don't have the drug.

Amphetamines change body chemistry, especially in the brain. Initially the drug is used because it makes the person feel good. As dependency increases, the drug is used to avoid the psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.

People at higher risk of Amphetamine dependence include those with:

* a mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder or antisocial personality disorder, or
* a family history of drug abuse

People who use amphetamines for a long time will experience feelings of overexcited ness and nervousness, may be irritable and depressed and experience trouble sleeping.

They may also experience:

* lose of appetite
* lose of sex drive
* feelings of disorientation
* learning difficulties

Users may also:

* take stimulants in larger amounts or over a longer period than originally intended
* use the drug at different times throughout the day
* experience behavioural changes such as acting oddly, being more suspicious, dramatic, erratic or be antisocial or become paranoid
* have problems in social and family activities and work such as missing work, fighting with family members or losing friends
* engage in risky behaviour, such as unsafe sexual practices
* not be able to reduce or stop the use of amphetamines even though they know the drugs are harmful.

Physical signs of Amphetamine use include:

* dilated pupils
* dry mouth and nose
* bad breath
* frequent lip licking.

When people stop taking the drug, and the level of it in the blood drops, there may be withdrawal symptoms such as:
How is it treated?

For any treatment to be successful, you must want to give up amphetamines. Most amphetamine users who want to quit need to avoid all stimulants, including caffeine and tobacco.

Withdrawal from long-term amphetamine use causes depression. Withdrawal is usually not life threatening and does not cause physically painful symptoms.

Your health care provider may prescribe medicine to help you get through withdrawal, such as:

* antidepressants to help with both depression and drug craving
* sedatives to treat anxiety or trouble sleeping
* antipsychotics to treat paranoia and cravings.

You can join a self-help group (for example, Narcotics Anonymous), a support group, or a therapy group, or you might be treated in a supervised clinic program. The health care providers and counselors in any treatment program will work with you to help you have a life free from amphetamines.

Treating amphetamine dependence requires abstaining from the drugs. Avoiding other stimulants can also be helpful, including caffeine and nicotine. While withdrawal can be unpleasant, it is not life threatening or physically painful; the psychological effects are more painful, including depression. To better cope with the side effects of withdrawal, a physician may prescribe antidepressant medications or sleeping pills to treat the depression and sleeping difficulties. If a person experiences intense cravings or paranoia, antipsychotic medications may be used.

Withdrawal symptoms usually disappear within one to three months of abstinence. Support groups and counseling is also helpful for many people, including groups such as Narcotics Anonymous. Maintaining sobriety from amphetamines may be a lifelong process for some people.

Are you or someone you know using Amphetamines ?

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If you are concerned about your child, a friend of someone you know seek help and assistance from a trained mental health specialist or service provider in your state or territory.