Amphetamines are a class of synthetic drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, from which derivative compounds can be obtained, such as methamphetamine (speed) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA or Ecstasy, which are the most abused amphetamines and illegally. These substances increase alertness and reduce fatigue, increase concentration, decrease appetite and increase physical resistance, inducing a state of well-being or euphoria.
However, there are amphetamines that are used for a therapeutic purpose, such as attention deficit disorder, which can affect children and adults, and for narcolepsy, which is a disorder whose main symptom is excessive sleepiness. Learn more about this disease.
What are the effects
In addition to stimulating the brain, amphetamines increase blood pressure and heart rate, which can cause fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and death from suffocation and dehydration. Learn about other effects caused by amphetamine derivatives.
Intense anxiety, paranoia and distortion of perception of reality, auditory and visual hallucinations and feelings of omnipotence, are some symptoms related to the use of this type of drug, but although these effects can occur in any user, individuals with a psychiatric disorder are more vulnerable to them.
Learn more about amphetamines used for therapeutic purposes.
How amphetamine abuse treatment is done
Normally, for people who misuse this drug in the form of methamphetamine or MDMA, a detox treatment should be performed.
For the recovery of people using these drugs, it is important to promote the individual's reassurance and a calm and non-threatening environment, because when amphetamine consumption is abruptly interrupted, symptoms opposite to the effects of the drug occur and for this reason, chronic users can require hospitalization during drug withdrawal.
Individuals who experience delusions and hallucinations should take an antipsychotic medication such as chlorpromazine, which has a calming effect and reduces distress. However, the antipsychotic medication can produce a sharp drop in blood pressure.
