Amphetamines
Amphetamines
What are amphetamines?
Amphetamines are stimulant drugs, which means they speed up the workings of the brain. Slang names for amphetamines include speed, up, uppers, louee, goey, whiz, and rack.
The most potent form is
crystal methamphetamine
(ice)
External Link
.
There are legal (prescribed by a doctor) and illegal amphetamines.
Legal amphetamines are prescribed for the treatment of conditions such as
narcolepsy
(a sleep disorder) and
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
, they have also been used to treat Parkinson’s disease. The non-medical use of amphetamine medications is illegal.
Amphetamines such as speed and
crystal methamphetamine (ice)
, are made and sold illegally. In most cases, it is difficult to determine their quality and purity – they can be a mix of drugs, binding agents,
caffeine
and sugar.
Long-term use of illegal amphetamines can lead to serious problems, including changes to the brain, cardiovascular damage, malnutrition and
anxiety
and
paranoia
.
Types of amphetamines
The appearance of amphetamines varies from powder and tablet to crystals and capsules. The most common amphetamine in Australia is methamphetamine, which comes in three forms:
ice
External Link
(crystal methamphetamine)
– is a crystal or crystalline powder, and is a stronger form of methamphetamine. It is also known as ‘crystal meth’, ‘shabu’ shard or ‘glass’
speed
– usually comes in the form of a powder
base
– is an oily, sticky or waxy paste.
Amphetamines can be injected, snorted, smoked or swallowed.
It is illegal to make or sell amphetamines. It is also illegal to possess or use amphetamines, unless they have been prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons.
Illegally produced amphetamines can be a mix of drugs, binding agents, caffeine, new psychoactive substances and sugar.
Amphetamine use in Australia
According to the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, meth/amphetamine use has significantly declined since 2001.
In 2019, 1.3% of Australians had used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months.
Among people who use meth/amphetamines, ‘
ice
’ is the most used form (50% of people who use meth/amphetamine use ‘ice’).
Powder (speed) use continued to decline among people who use meth/amphetamine – from 51% in 2010 to 19.9% in 2019.
Synthetic amphetamines
In recent years, a range of synthetic products, claiming to have similar effects to amphetamines, have also been available in Australia.
It is unclear what the active ingredient in these products is – they may contain various chemicals, such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).
Taking these drugs is risky, they can have more unpredictable effects and can be potentially more harmful than amphetamines.
MDMA (ecstasy)
MDMA (ecstasy) is classified as an empathogen drug. Many pills or capsules sold as MDMA contain only small amounts of MDMA, or sometimes none.
The effects of MDMA can share some similarities with amphetamines – such as feeling energetic and euphoric, and having an increased heart rate.
How amphetamines work
Amphetamines are stimulant drugs, which means they speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Amphetamines increase dopamine and serotonin levels – the feel-good chemicals in the brain.
Effects can be felt immediately (injected or smoked) or within 30 minutes (snorted or swallowed).
Short-term effects of amphetamines
Some of the immediate effects of amphetamines include:
a burst of energy – feeling alert, talkative, restless and excited
happiness and confidence
aggression or anger
fast heart rate and breathing
high-blood pressure (hypertension)
dry mouth, jaw clenching and teeth grinding
sweating
dilated (large) pupils
loss of appetite
increased heart rate
increased
sex drive (libido)
nosebleeds
and damage to the nasal passage (from snorting).
Injecting amphetamines and sharing needles increases your risk of:
hepatitis C
hepatitis B
HIV/AIDs
vein damage and blood clots
infection, such as
tetanus
.
Amphetamine use can also impair judgement and contribute to accidents and injury (such as
motor vehicle crashes
).
How long do amphetamine effects last?
Even if the effects of the amphetamines have worn off, there may still be amphetamines in your system.
As a rough guide, methamphetamines can be detected in the blood around 4 to 8 hours after use, and in the urine for around 2 to 5 days after use.
What is binge crashing?
Some people experience a pattern of ‘binge crash’ after amphetamine use. This happens when amphetamines are used continuously for several days without sleep.
When this period ends, the person ‘crashes’, and experiences a period of heavy sleeping.
‘Coming down’ from amphetamines
In the 2 to 4 days after amphetamine use, you may experience:
restless sleep and exhaustion
headaches
, muscle twitching and aches
irritability, mood swings, anxiety and
depression
paranoia
, hallucinations, confusion
change in body temperature.
Using other drugs (such as alcohol,
benzodiazepines
, cannabis and opioids) to cope with the ‘come down’ may lead to a cycle of dependence (where someone becomes reliant on all drugs used).
Mixing amphetamine with other drugs can be dangerous
Overdose is often due to taking amphetamines with other drugs – including ‘legal’ over-the counter and prescription medications such as:
alcohol
benzodiazepines (including sleeping pills)
some antidepressants
cannabis (marijuana)
opioids (such as
heroin
).
Symptoms of amphetamine overdose
Amphetamine overdose may occur if you:
take a strong batch
use a large amount
mix amphetamines with other drugs – including over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
A drug overdose
is a medical emergency. You can still be in danger even if not all overdose symptoms are present.
Symptoms of amphetamine overdose may include:
breathing difficulties
seizures (including fits and uncontrolled jerking)
chest pain
or racing heartbeat
chills or
fever
no urine output
extreme agitation – can lead to hostility, aggression and violence
paranoia
, hallucinations or delusions.
Overdose can lead to
stroke
,
heart attack
and death. Fast action could save someone’s life.
If you suspect an overdose, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately. Ambulance officers don’t need to involve police.
Long-term effects of amphetamines
Using amphetamines on a regular basis can lead to significant health and lifestyle issues such as:
‘amphetamine psychosis’ (including hallucinations and paranoia)
extreme weight loss and malnutrition
dry mouth
and dental problems
regular infections (such as
colds
and
flu
) – due to reduced immunity
mood swings, panic attacks,
anxiety
,
depression
drug dependence
– this may include an increase in use or relying on other drugs (such as sedatives) to balance the effects
out of character behaviour – aggression and violence
heart and kidney problems
increased risk of
stroke
increased risk of contracting
sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
due to
unprotected sex
financial, work, study, legal and relationship problems – including trouble concentrating and reduced performance.
Amphetamine dependence, tolerance and withdrawal
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.
Amphetamine withdrawal
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.
If you decide to stop or cut down, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to seek advice from a health professional when planning to stop taking amphetamines.
These usually occur at the start and settle down after a week. Most withdrawal symptoms disappear after a month.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
tiredness
anxiety
,
depression
and
paranoia
confusion and crankiness
extreme hunger
aches and pains
sleep problems and nightmares.
Some people can experience quite intense symptoms (also known as ‘speed crash’). This can cause nausea, extreme exhaustion, irritability and feeling depressed.
Treatment for amphetamine use
Treatment options for drug use
include:
detoxification
individual counselling
group therapy.
Peer support – or talking to someone who has been in the same situation – can also be helpful.
See your doctor for information and referral, or contact an alcohol and drug service (services listed in the ‘where to get help’ section).
Amphetamines and the law
Amphetamine use is restricted in Australia and can only be prescribed by a medical doctor for certain health conditions.
Penalties apply for amphetamines under federal and state laws for anyone who:
Uses or keeps illegal amphetamines in their possession.
Makes, supplies or sells amphetamines to another person.
Drives under the influence of amphetamines.
Where to get help
In an emergency, call triple zero (000)
Your
GP (doctor)
Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF)
Path2help
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– resources to assist people looking for ways to support their loved ones who use alcohol and/or other drugs
DrugInfo
External Link
Tel.
1300 85 85 84
DirectLine
External Link
Tel.
1800 888 236
– for 24-hour confidential drug and alcohol telephone counselling, information and referral
Family Drug
Help
External Link
Tel.
1300 660 068
– for information and support for people concerned about a relative or friend using drugs
Counselling
Online
External Link
Tel.
1800 888 236
– free drug and alcohol counselling 24/7
Kids
Helpline
External Link
Tel.
1800 55 1800
Parentline
Victoria
External Link
Tel.
13 22 89
Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice
service
External Link
, Victoria Tel.
(03) 9415 8881
(9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday)
Victoria Legal
Aid
External Link