Unlike amphetamines, caffeine doesn’t carry significant risks for addiction or severe health consequences when used normally, though it can cause mild physical dependency. For amphetamine addiction with severe withdrawal symptoms and mental health complications, an intensive, inpatient rehabilitation program may be necessary, where professionals can monitor the patient’s progress in a safe environment throughout treatment. Amphetamine is a stimulant drug that is used to prescribed to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It can be used occasionally to treat depression and may also aid in weight loss. Psychological interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be an option for treating amphetamine addiction.
Treatment of Withdrawal Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of amphetamine addiction is crucial for early intervention and treatment. Psychologically, addiction results in paranoia, hallucinations, mood swings, and cognitive impairment, all of which highlight the detrimental impact of prolonged drug use. Furthermore, amphetamine addiction is often accompanied by co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. The interplay between substance abuse and mental health can complicate treatment and recovery, requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses both issues simultaneously. Amphetamine use, both acute and chronic, may lead to amphetamine toxicity. Dependence is likely due to increased tolerance to amphetamine effects and the requirement of escalating doses to achieve the desired effect.
- There are many types of amphetamine, including both prescription and recreational drugs, but all have the potential for abuse.
- There are a few pharmacotherapy candidates for the treatment of AMPH/MA dependence/use disorder that demonstrate some weak positive signals.
- These stimulants are commonly prescribed for conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
- In this article, we will explore what amphetamine addiction is, its prevalence, signs and symptoms, the impact on health and lifestyle, as well as the process of addiction treatment.
Addiction and dependence
- Nicknames for amphetamines include “bennies,” “black beauties,” and “speed.”
- Because the pleasurable effects disappear even before the drug concentration in the blood falls significantly, users try to maintain the high by bingeing on the drug.
- These are sedatives like phenobarbital, pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal).
- Although the therapeutic mode of action is not fully known, amphetamine is highly efficacious for the reduction of core ADHD symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults.
- It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
Amphetamine abuse remains prevalent in the United States (US), with significant implications for public health and individual well-being. The ramifications of amphetamine toxicity and overdose are profound, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality rates. Notably, amphetamines’ sympathomimetic properties precipitate adverse cardiovascular and neurological effects, with studies indicating their involvement in a significant proportion of drug-related deaths in the US.
Mental Health 101
Understanding the prevalence of amphetamine addiction is crucial for identifying the scale of the problem and implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Additionally, amphetamine addiction can have profound effects on the brain’s structure and function. Studies have shown that prolonged amphetamine use can lead to neurotoxicity, damaging neurons and affecting cognitive functions such as memory and decision-making. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and bizarre and violent behaviour. These symptoms usually disappear a few days or weeks after the drug use has stopped. People who use amphetamines often also use other drugs, such as alcohol, cannabis, or benzodiazepines, to help them relax and sleep.
Studies conducted in (e.g. men who have sex with men) or excluding (e.g. women) specific populations are limited in their ability to generalise to other populations. For example, no study we reviewed here assessed specific populations such as indigenous peoples. Similarly, while women were often excluded by the study design, no study examined only women. It is unknown how generalisable any of the results reviewed here are outside of the context in which they were conducted, and it is unwise therefore to combine results across populations.
Paying for Treatment
The primary outcomes included safety and efficacy defined as abstinence from MA—measured by a new MA-positive UDS (measured twice weekly) and self-reported MA consumption. The effects of chronic and regular high-dose AMPH/MA use are more complex than occasional use, and may involve the development of a substance use disorder—characterised by social and physiological (e.g. tolerance, withdrawal) manifestations 5. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria for Stimulant Use Disorder (SUD) and Stimulant Withdrawal 6 are listed in Table 1. In the previous version of the DSM (DSM-IV) 7, the Sobriety classification listed ‘dependence’ rather than ‘use disorder’; with ‘moderate to severe’ SUD being regarded as equivalent to ‘dependence’. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10th Revision (ICD-10) recognises ‘stimulant dependence syndrome’ and ‘stimulant withdrawal state’ 8. However, neither diagnostic tool differentiates between AMPH/MA and other non-cocaine stimulant SUDs; while the 11th Revision of the ICD narrows the definition to “stimulant dependence including amphetamines, methamphetamine or methcathinone” 9.
What causes amphetamine dependence?
This systematic review revealed that participant engagement in treatment was high, abstinence from amphetamines was substantial and improvements in the social and health conditions of the participants were considerable. Furthermore, no harm was reported by patients who received pharmacological treatments or BCBT alone or combined. However, assessments of amphetamines abuse were largely based on self-report.
Additionally, underlying mental health disorders and stress increase susceptibility to developing an addiction to amphetamines. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule II stimulant, which makes it legally available only through a nonrefillable prescription. While the initial effects of amphetamine use are enjoyable, the high ends with a noticeable crash, leaving addicts irritable and exhausted. It doesn’t take long amphetamine addiction for the body to build up a tolerance to amphetamines causing a user to increase the dosage to maintain the initial desired effects. Along with tolerance comes psychological and physical dependence and amphetamine addiction.
Target pharmacotherapies have considered the mechanism of action of AMPH/MA, which affects neurotransmitters through a number of mechanisms. Consumption of MA triggers a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. The drug (to a lesser extent) acts as a dopaminergic and adrenergic reuptake inhibitor, and in higher concentrations as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) 1, 21.
