About Amphetamines

Effects

Tolerance and dependence

Withdrawal

Amphetamines and pregnancy

Amphetamines and driving

Amphetamines and the law

Mixing drugs

Reducing the risk

Risks of injecting drug use

Further information

 Amphetamines

Amphetamines (speed) are drugs that stimulate the central nervous system. Amphetamines include a family of closely related drugs (e.g. amphetamine sulphate, dexamphetamine, methamphetamine) which all share similar effects. The various forms may come as a powder (white, yellow, brown, orange, pink) or paste (yellow or brown) which is free-base methamphetamine, or crystals (methamphetamine hydrochloride). Sometimes they come in capsules or prescribed tablets.

Amphetamines can be swallowed, snorted through the nose or injected. The typical amphetamine used within South Australia is methamphetamine, which is usually sold in 'points' (0.1grams). They are the second most commonly used illicit drug (after cannabis).

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 Effects

Short-term effects

The route of administration affects how quickly the effects are felt - less than a minute for intravenous, smoking or snorting to about 30 minutes for swallowing. Effects last for 4-6 hours (longer and slower for swallowed amphetamines) and at lower doses include:

Physical

• increased heart rate and blood pressure
• increased breathing
• increased pupil size
• increased energy
• heightened alertness
• increased concentration
• increased libido (with increasing dose)
• increased stamina
• appetite suppression
• loss of interest in sleep, delayed sleep

Psychological

• feeling good - euphoria
• enhanced self-awareness
• increased self-confidence
• increased visual awareness
• irritability
• restlessness
• excitability, talkativeness
• hyperactivity

High-dose effects can include:

Physical

• dry mouth
• fever and sweating
• flushing or pallor
• repetitive movements, loss of coordination
• tremor
• high blood pressure
• irregular heartbeat
• headache, blurred vision and dizziness
• nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps
• collapse, convulsions and even death

Psychological

• paranoia and suspicion
• aggression and hostility
• anxiety and agitation
• distorted body image
• psychosis (hallucinations, bizarre behaviour, delusions)
• >mood swings
• unpredictable behaviour

Long-term effects

People who use amphetamines on a regular basis for a longer period may experience the following physical and psychological effects:

• malnutrition from loss of appetite
• psychosis (hallucinations, bizarre behaviour, paranoia, delusions)
• possible permanent damage to the brain cells
• less resistance to infections (from poor eating and sleeping)
• need to take other drugs (e.g. sleeping tablets or alcohol) to counteract insomnia

Regular users may also experience a range of other social, legal, financial and emotional problems.

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 Tolerance and Dependence

Regular amphetamine users may develop tolerance. This means they need more of the drug to achieve the same effects as before. This is less likely to occur if amphetamines are used less than once per week. When tolerance does occur, increasing the dose also increases the likelihood of unpleasant effects. Dependence can develop with regular use - this is when a lot of time is spent thinking about amphetamines, obtaining them, using them and recovering from the effects. The person will find it difficult to stop amphetamine use or control the amount used.

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 Withdrawal

Withdrawal can occur when amphetamine use is stopped or severely reduced. Often there is an initial period of excessive tiredness for 24-48 hours (crash). Following this there may be a period of 10-14 days during which the following symptoms may be experienced:

• anxiety and irritability
• lack of energy
• depression
• racing thoughts
• hunger
• difficulty sleeping
• craving (a very strong desire to use amphetamines)

Even after withdrawal symptoms have settled many people continue to experience episodes of craving and mood disturbance for a long time.

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 Amphetamines and Pregnancy

Using amphetamines during pregnancy can increase the risk of:

• high blood pressure
• bleeding due to separation of the placenta from the uterus
• premature labour
• fetal distress
• reduced birth weight and head circumference

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 Amphetamines and Driving

It is unsafe to drive after using amphetamines, as they reduce coordination and affect the ability to judge speed and distance. Amphetamines also increase a person's confidence so they are more likely to take dangerous risks.

More information on drugs and driving

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 Amphetamines and the Law

It is illegal to keep amphetamines, except by someone who has been prescribed them for a recognised medical condition e.g. narcolepsy. It is also illegal to sell or give away amphetamines.

Drug Driving

In South Australia, legislation introduced from 1 July 2006 enables police to conduct random roadside saliva tests to detect the presence of THC (the active component in cannabis), methylamphetamine (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy).

Under the Road Traffic Act it is an offence to drive or attempt to drive a motor vehicle with THC, methylamphetamine or ecstasy present in your oral fluid or blood.

Penalties for refusal or failure to undertake a drug screening test, oral fluid analysis or blood test will also apply.

More information about drug driving

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 Mixing Drugs

Taking other drugs when amphetamines are already in the bloodstream (or vice versa) is dangerous and increases the risk of overdose. In particular some antidepressants taken with amphetamines may cause a rapid rise in blood pressure and increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

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 Reducing the Risk

It is always safer not to use drugs, but there are ways to reduce the risk.

• It is safer not to inject because of the risk of infections. Injecting amphetamines also increases the risk of psychosis and dependence.
• Using smaller amounts less often reduces the risk of developing dependence. Avoid daily use.
• Not using alone.

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 Risks of Injecting Drug Use

In addition to the direct risks associated with using amphetamines there are additional risks from injecting them intravenously. There is a risk of catching a blood-borne virus from using injecting equipment that has been used by someone else. This includes not only needles and syringes but also swabs, filters, mixing spoons/water and tourniquets. Hepatitis C is the virus most frequently caught but there is also a risk of catching Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.

Bacterial infections can occur even when clean injecting equipment is used. Bacterial infections may cause a local abscess at the injecting site or more seriously may cause infections in the heart (endocarditis) or other parts of the body. Damage to veins can occur from repeated injections at the same site.

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 Further Information

Alcohol & Drug Information Service

(24-hour information and counselling)

Tel: 1300 13 1340

(South Australian callers - local call fee)

The goal of the South Australian Drug Strategy is to improve the health and well-being of all South Australians by preventing the use of illicit drugs and the misuse of licit drugs.

The information in this publication is a guide only. Readers are encouraged to seek appropriate professional advice before relying upon any of the material contained in it. While care has been taken to ensure the material contained in this publication is up-to-date at the time of printing, the Southern Adelaide Health Service Incorporated accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the material in the publication and expressly disclaims all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information contained within it.