Due to concerns over their side effects, however, amphetamines are increasingly being replaced by modafinil, a medication that promotes wakefulness. Under the name Benzedrine, amphetamines were first used to treat obesity in the s, due to their appetite-suppressing capabilities. In the s, reports of malnutrition , psychosis, and depression on withdrawal caused doctors to stop prescribing amphetamines for weight loss. Currently, medical professionals do not recommend using amphetamines and their derivatives to help reduce obesity.
They proposed a 6-month use of the drug to help people who have not responded to other treatment to improve their diet and increase exercise levels. This, they say, could help curb obesity and related complications, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. From the s, amphetamine was used to treat affective disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD , and schizophrenia.
However, in the s and s, amid growing concern about its adverse effects, it was replaced by newly available antidepressants. In rare cases, amphetamines are used alongside standard antidepressants to treat some types of depression that do not respond to other treatments, especially in people who also experience fatigue and apathy.
Physical side effects include :. People who follow the prescribed, therapeutic dose are unlikely to experience severe adverse effects. There have been fears that long-term use of amphetamines for ADHD could affect brain development, prevent physical growth, and increase the risk of drug abuse later in life. However, animal studies have suggested that this is unlikely. There is evidence that amphetamine use to treat ADHD could slow growth in children.
Minor effects on the cardiovascular system, including a rise in heart rate and blood pressure , may have long-term effects. Amphetamine is used as a recreational drug.
People take it to boost libido, increase wakefulness, improve cognitive control, enhance sociability, and induce euphoria. When amphetamines are used at higher doses and through routes that are not prescribed by a doctor, they can have severe adverse effects.
Dopamine levels in the brain can rise quickly, and to a great extent. People who crush and inject a tablet may have blockages in their small blood vessels, as some of the components do not break down.
Other street drugs that are based on the structure of amphetamine include methamphetamine, cathinone, ephedrine, MDMA ecstasy , and 2,5-Dimethoxymethylamphetamine DOM. These drugs can have a wide variety of overlapping effects that broadly fit into three categories:.
These drugs are made illegally, and there is no control over their contents. For this reason, a person can easily consume something they do not expect to consume.
This can be hazardous, and, in some cases, fatal. It has a strong smell and bitter taste. Illegally produced amphetamines can be a mix of drugs, binding agents, caffeine and sugar.
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. You might feel the effects of amphetamines immediately if injected or smoked or within 30 minutes if snorted or swallowed. You might experience:. Research demonstrates a relationship between people who use amphetamines and increased mental health issues. Giving up amphetamines after a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without them.
Withdrawal symptoms should settle down after a week and will mostly disappear after a month. Symptoms include:. If your use of amphetamines is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, you can find help and support.
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Last published: November 10, What are amphetamines? How are amphetamines used? Amphetamines are generally swallowed, injected or smoked. They are also snorted. Amphetamines affect everyone differently, based on: size, weight and health whether the person is used to taking it whether other drugs are taken around the same time the amount taken the strength of the drug varies from batch to batch with illegally produced drugs.
You might experience: happiness and confidence talking more and feeling energetic large pupils and dry mouth fast heartbeat and breathing teeth grinding reduced appetite increased sex drive. Using amphetamines on a regular basis can lead to significant health and lifestyle problems such as:. It is possible to build up a tolerance to amphetamines, which means the person using the drug needs to take larger doses to achieve the same effect.
Over time, the body may come to depend on amphetamines just to function normally. The person craves the drug and their psychological dependence can make someone anxious if access is denied, even temporarily. If you have been using amphetamines for a long time, giving up can be a challenge. Your body and mind will need to adjust to functioning without the drug. These usually occur at the start and settle down after a week.
Most withdrawal symptoms disappear after a month. This can cause nausea, extreme exhaustion, irritability and feeling depressed. Treatment options for drug use include:. Amphetamine use is restricted in Australia and can only be prescribed by a medical doctor for certain health conditions.
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Benzodiazepines tranquillisers are highly addictive and should only be used for certain conditions in a short-term or emergency situation. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.
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Skip to main content. Home Drugs. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Amphetamine use in Australia What are amphetamines? In , 1. What are amphetamines? Types of amphetamines The most common amphetamine in Australia is methamphetamine, which comes in three forms: ice crystal methamphetamine — is a crystal or crystalline powder, and is a stronger form of methamphetamine.
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