amphetamines

Amphetamines are commonly known as speed or go-eey in New Zealand. They belong to a group of drugs called ‘psychostimulants’ (also commonly known as ‘speed') that stimulate the central nervous system. Amphetamines speed up the messages going to and from the brain to the body.

Most amphetamines are produced in backyard laboratories and sold illegally. It usually appears as a whitish yellow powder, and occasionally in liquid form. People who buy amphetamines illegally are sometimes buying these drugs mixed with other substances that can have unpleasant or harmful effects.

The effects of speed depend on:

• the amount taken
• the person’s experience with the drug
• their expectations
• the mood they are in
• the way in which the drug is taken
• the quality and purity of the drug.

Why are they used?

People use amphetamines for different reasons. Some use the drugs to get ‘high’ and dance all night. Others use the drugs to help stay awake for long periods of time, to improve performance in sport or at work, or to boost their self-confidence. Amphetamines can reduce tiredness and increase endurance.

For medical purposes, amphetamines are prescribed to treat narcolepsy (where a person has an uncontrollable urge to sleep) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Amphetamines are most commonly swallowed, injected (methamphetamine) or smoked. They are also ‘snorted', or ‘sniffed', through the nose.

Effects

The effects of any drug (including amphetamines) vary from person to person, depending on the individual’s size, weight and health, how much and how the drug is taken, whether the person is used to taking it and whether other drugs are taken. It also depends on the environment in which the drug is used; for example, whether the person is alone, with others or at a party.

Immediate Effects

Soon after taking amphetamines, the following effects may be experienced:

• Speeding up of bodily functions -
  Amphetamines speed up the body’s activity. Heart rate, breathing and blood pressure increases. A dry mouth, increased sweating, enlargement of the eye’s pupils and headaches may occur.
• More energy and alertness -
  Users may feel energetic and full of confidence, with a heightened sense of well-being.
• Other effects include feeling wide awake and alert, becoming talkative, restless and excited, and having difficulty sleeping. Panic attacks may also be experienced.
• Reduced appetite
• Irritability -
  Some users become anxious, irritable, hostile and aggressive. Sometimes people feel a sense of power and superiority over others.

Impure amphetamines

Most amphetamines sold illegally contain a mixture of pure amphetamines and other substances such as sugar, glucose, bicarbonate of soda and ephedrine. These additives can be highly poisonous. They can cause collapsed veins, tetanus, abscesses and damage to the heart, lungs, liver and brain. And because the user doesn’t know whether they are using 5 per cent or 50 per cent pure amphetamines, it is easy to overdose by accident.

In greater quantities

Very high quantities of amphetamines can cause paleness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, tremors, irregular heartbeat, stomach cramps, sweating, restlessness, irregular breathing and loss of coordination. Some users have collapsed after taking amphetamines. High quantities can also create an ‘amphetamine psychosis', characterised by paranoid delusions, hallucinations and aggressive or violent behaviour.

Effects of overdosing

Due to the unknown strength and mix of street amphetamines, some users have overdosed and experienced strokes, heart failure, seizures and high body temperature. Some have died as a result. Injecting runs a greater risk of overdosing due to large amounts of the drug entering the blood stream and quickly travelling to the brain.

Coming down

As the effects of amphetamines begin to wear off, a person may experience a range of symptoms including uncontrolled violence, tension, radical mood swings, depression and total exhaustion.

Long-term effects

Regular use of amphetamines may result in chronic sleeping problems, anxiety and tension, high blood pressure and a rapid and irregular heartbeat. In order to combat these drug-related effects, people who use amphetamines often also use alcohol, benzodiazepines, other sedatives/hypnotics, cannabis and available opiates.

Other possible effects

• Malnutrition -
  Amphetamines reduce appetite, resulting in people being less likely to eat properly.
• Psychosis -
  Frequent heavy use can cause ‘amphetamine psychosis'. Symptoms may include paranoia as well as delusions, hallucinations and bizarre behaviour. These symptoms usually disappear a few days after the person stops using amphetamines.
• Reduced resistance to infections -
  Regular amphetamine users often don’t eat or sleep properly and are generally run down, so their resistance to infections is reduced.
• Violence -
  People who use amphetamines regularly or in high quantities may suddenly become violent for no apparent reason.
• Brain damage -
  There is some evidence that brain cells can be damaged by regular use of MDMA (ecstasy). This damage will result in reduced memory function and possibly other impairments in thinking.

Hepatitis and HIV

Sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment can greatly increase the risk of contracting blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus - the virus that causes AIDS).

Tolerance & Dependence

Tolerance

People who are physically dependent on amphetamines usually develop tolerance to the drug, making it necessary to take more and more to get the same effect. The quantity taken can reach a stage at which no further increase in the amount taken will produce the desired effect.

Dependence

Dependence on amphetamines can be psychological or physical, or both. People who are psychologically dependent on amphetamines find that using them becomes far more important than other activities in their life. They crave the drug and will find it very difficult to stop using it. People who are physically dependent on amphetamines find that their body has become used to functioning with the amphetamines present.

Withdrawal

If a person who is dependent on amphetamines suddenly stops taking it, they will experience withdrawal symptoms, because their body has to readjust to functioning without the drug.

Amphetamine withdrawal symptoms may include hunger, extreme fatigue, anxiety, irritability and depression. People may also have a long but restless sleep, often interrupted by nightmares. Some experience severe distress or feelings of panic.

Treatment options

There are a number of drug treatment options available in New Zealand. While abstinence may be a suitable treatment aim for some people, many programs recognise that for others this may not be possible or realistic. Most programs adopt strategies that have an overall aim of reducing the harms and risks related to the person’s drug use.

Ring 0800 787 797 for options available to you.

Amphetamines and other drugs

Taking other drugs as a way of coping with some of the undesirable effects of amphetamines can result in a ‘roller coaster’ dependence on several drugs. For example, some people need amphetamines to get them going each day, and benzodiazepines to get them to sleep each night. This type of dependence can lead to a variety of serious physical and psychological problems.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

Amphetamine use during pregnancy can affect the baby’s development before birth. Amphetamine use has been linked with bleeding, early labour and miscarriage. Amphetamines also cause the heart rate of mother and baby to increase. If amphetamines are used close to birth, the baby may be born directly affected, and may be over-active and agitated. Babies of mothers who regularly use amphetamines may also experience withdrawal symptoms in the first few weeks after birth. It is not yet known whether the children of mothers who used amphetamines during their pregnancy experience long-term problems in mental or physical growth, but initial studies give some cause for concern.

Breastfeeding

Not much is known about the effects of amphetamines on the mother during breastfeeding. There is evidence that babies feed poorly and may be irritable. See your doctor or other health professional if you are taking or planning to take any substances while pregnant or breastfeeding, including prescribed and over-the-counter medications.

Amphetamines and driving

It is illegal to drive while under the influence of any drug (including amphetamines). Breaking this law carries penalties, including disqualification from driving, fines and/or imprisonment.

It is unsafe to drive after using amphetamines. Once the amphetamines have worn off, the person may feel tired. Amphetamines can also increase confidence, making drivers more likely to take dangerous risks.

Amphetamines and social problems

Family problems, and financial, legal and other personal problems, may be related to amphetamine use. Disagreements over drug use can cause family arguments and affect personal relationships. Use of amphetamines may also lead to problems at work. These problems can be made much worse because some people who use amphetamines become irritable, hostile or violent. It is also dangerous to drive and operate machinery after using amphetamines.

Legal implications

In New Zealand Amphetamines are a Class A drug. The maximum penalty for importation / manufacture / supply is life imprisonment, and for possession 3 months jail and/or a $500 fine.

• Parliament is currently debating and considering amending to a Class A controlled drug.

What to do in a crisis

• If someone overdoses or has an adverse reaction while using amphetamines, it is very important that they receive professional help as soon as possible. A quick response can save their life.
• Call an ambulance. Dial 111. Don’t delay because you think you or your friend might get into trouble. Ambulance officers are not obliged to involve the police.
• Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives. Find out if anyone at the scene knows mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Ensure that the person has adequate air by keeping crowds back and opening windows. Loosen tight clothing.
• If the person is unconscious, don’t leave them on their back-they could choke. Turn them on their side and into the recovery position. Gently tilt their head back so their tongue does not block the airway.
• if breathing has stopped, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If there is no pulse, apply CPR.
• Provide the ambulance officers with as much information as you can about what drugs were taken, how much was taken, how long ago and any pre-existing medical conditions.
• Before using amphetamines, make sure you and your friends know what to do in a crisis.