The fist step in understanding amphetamine addiction and treatment is by understanding what they are. Amphetamines are a group of addictive synthetic psychoactive drugs called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. Psychoactive drugs are designed to affect the mind or behavior, as opposed to other bodily functions or conditions. CNS stimulants, like amphetamines work to speed up the messages between the brain and the body. They increase the release of certain chemicals in the brain, boosting alertness, attention, and energy levels. Amphetamines are controlled substances in the United States. They are prescribed primarily for ADHD and narcolepsy.
Examples of amphetamines include:
The first amphetamines were synthesized in 1887 by Romanian chemist Lazăr Edeleanu, but their central nervous system stimulant effects were not discovered until the 1920s. The popularity of amphetamines began to grow during World War II when soldiers used them to stay alert and combat fatigue. Amphetamine addiction began to occur almost immediately, but addiction was not well understood in the early 20th century.
In the 1950s and ’60s, doctors prescribed these stimulants for a variety of conditions ranging from depression to obesity, and narcolepsy. Amphetamines like Benzedrine were popular in some segments of academia and with the Beatniks of the 1950s. The American Beatnik author, Jack Kerouac is said to have written On The Road during a 3-week-long Benzedrine binge.
After amphetamine use grew throughout the 50s and 60s, their addictive potential began to come into focus. In the 1970s, the federal government began to regulate their use more stringently. As controlled substances, they continued to be prescribed for conditions like minimal brain dysfunction (now known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD), narcolepsy and sometimes weight loss through the 1980s.
In the 1990s, ADHD became the most popular reason for amphetamine prescriptions as more and more people were diagnosed with the condition. At the same time, the availability of illegal crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth) in the U.S. began to skyrocket. The prevalence of more prescription amphetamines and more illegally manufactured stimulants brought the subject of amphetamine addiction squarely into the public eye.
A History of Amphetamine Addiction
Amphetamines are addictive due to their impact on the brain’s reward system. The brain’s reward system evolved to reinforce behaviors that are essential for survival, such as eating, sex and socialization, by releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that causes feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
When someone uses amphetamines, large amounts of dopamine are released in the brain, far more than what is naturally produced in response to normal life activities. This flood of dopamine elicits intense feelings of euphoria and energy. The brain quickly associates these pleasurable sensations with amphetamine use.
Over time, with repeated use of amphetamines, the brain starts to crave this heightened level of dopamine release, leading to drug-seeking behavior and addiction. The brain adapts to the excess dopamine by producing less and/or reducing the number of dopamine receptors. These conditions combine to form the vicious cycle of behaviors we call amphetamine addiction.
Suddenly stopping or reducing amphetamine use can cause withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and disturbed sleep patterns. The phenomenon of amphetamine withdrawal presents one more challenge for people trying to overcome an addiction to amphetamines.
Adderall is an amphetamine that gained popularity as an ADHD medication in the 1990s. As diagnoses of ADHD climbed rapidly, more and more psychiatrists and other physicians began to prescribe amphetamines. Ritalin was the most popular stimulant of its type initially, but at some point, Adderall began to surpass it, no one is certain why.
Adderall use increased dramatically throughout the 2000s, mainly as a “study drug”. Students who didn’t necessarily have an ADHD diagnosis got the drug illegally, tried it and discovered it helped them focus. According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Adderall use among young adults increased by 67% between 2006 and 2011 alone.
Someone who is misusing amphetamines, whether they are illegally obtained or prescribed, will often exhibit signs and symptoms.
Someone who is misusing amphetamines, whether they are illegally obtained or prescribed, will often exhibit signs and symptoms.
Signs that someone may be misusing amphetamines:
Neglect of school, work or family responsibilities.
Symptoms that may indicate amphetamine addiction or misuse:
If you or someone you care about has a substance use disorder, like amphetamine addiction, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone – unless you choose to be. There is strength in numbers. So the first thing to do is to seek help. It can be difficult, if not impossible to reason with someone who is caught up in the grips of addiction.
That said, professionals like the team at Diamond Recovery and our affiliated substance use disorder treatment programs, have proven solutions to amphetamine addiction. Keeping the lines of communication open is essential. Let the person know that you love them and that you do not blame them for their illness. Remind them that you care about them too much to stand by and do nothing while they destroy themselves.
Before attempting any sort of intervention, formal or informal, it’s best to have a plan for treatment in place. That way if and when the person accepts help, you can move forward immediately with treatment. The last thing you want is to be caught in the position of scrambling to find a rehab that works with your insurance and has an open spot when you’re within a potentially narrow window of willingness to accept help.
At Diamond Recovery we are on a mission to inform people about amphetamine addiction and treatment with an emphasis on recovery. We also connect people with addiction and their loved ones directly to professional help and substance use disorder treatment.
If you or someone you love could benefit from treatment for a substance use disorder or you just have questions about Diamond Recovery and what we do, please give us a call at (844) 909-2525.
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