However, these drugs can cause addiction if they are misused. Methylphenidate is less likely to cause addiction than other amphetamines. Regular non-medical use of amphetamines can lead to tolerance. This means that the person needs to take more and more of the drug to get the desired effect. Regular use of amphetamines, especially when the drug is smoked or injected, can quickly cause addiction. Addiction means that cravings and compulsive use of the drug become very important to a person.
People who use amphetamines often also use other drugs, such as alcohol , cannabis , or benzodiazepines , to help them relax and sleep. This increases the risk for dependence on these other drugs. Chronic use of amphetamines can lead to serious physical and mental health problems. Because amphetamines reduce appetite and fatigue, they can cause vitamin and sleep deficiencies and malnutrition, and make people more prone to illness.
Regular use of amphetamines can also cause amphetamine psychosis. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and bizarre and violent behaviour. These symptoms usually disappear a few days or weeks after the drug use has stopped. Longer-term studies support the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate when taken as prescribed to treat hyperactivity, but more information is needed to evaluate its long-term effects.
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Where does it come from? What does it look like? Amphetamines are injected, smoked, sniffed or taken as pills.
Who uses it? How does it make you feel? How amphetamines make you feel depends on: how much you use how often and how long you use them how you use them by injection, orally, etc. The effects of amphetamines are often different from person to person. A drug overdose is a medical emergency. You can still be in danger even if not all overdose symptoms are present. Overdose can lead to stroke , heart attack and death.
If you suspect an overdose, call triple zero for an ambulance immediately. 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.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Asking for help when you first suspect you have an alcohol or drug problem is important. If you think you have an addiction, speak to your local doctor or phone DirectLine. The size of a standard drink can vary according to the type of alcohol. Prolonged misuse of steroids can cause liver damage and severe mood swings.
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.
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Home Drugs. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Amphetamines are illegal when they are used without a prescription to get high or improve performance.
In this case, they are known as street, or recreational drugs, and using them can lead to addiction. This article describes this aspect of amphetamines. Amphetamines are stimulant drugs. They make the messages between your brain and body move faster. As a result, you are more alert and physically active. Some people use amphetamines to help them stay awake on the job or to study for a test.
Others use them to boost their performance in sports. Amphetamines also cause the brain to release dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that is involved with mood, thinking, and movement. It is also called the feel-good brain chemical. Using amphetamines may cause pleasurable effects such as:. People who use these drugs, especially methamphetamine, have a high chance of getting HIV and hepatitis B and C.
This can be through sharing used needles with someone who has an infection. Or, it can be through having unsafe sex because drug use can lead to risky behaviors. Amphetamines can cause birth defects when taken during pregnancy.
Also, street drugs are not safe during breastfeeding. You usually do not get addicted to prescription amphetamines when you take them at the right dosage to treat your health condition. Addiction happens when you use amphetamines to get high or improve performance. Addiction means your body and mind are dependent on the drug. You are not able to control your use of it and you need it to get through daily life. Addiction can lead to tolerance. Tolerance means you need more and more of the drug to get the same high feeling.
And if you try to stop using, your mind and body may have reactions. These are called withdrawal symptoms, and may include:. Treatment begins with recognizing there is a problem. Once you decide you want to do something about your drug use, the next step is to get help and support.
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