The Abuse of Prescription Amphetamine Medications
Amphetamines are powerful stimulant prescription drugs that are often prescribed to persons diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Typically, ADHD is detected in childhood and is characterized by consistent patterns of inattention and hyperactivity. While this disorder can indeed affect a child’s acquisition of knowledge and learning (primarily due to inattentiveness), psychostimulant medications have been used with much success to treat the symptoms of ADHD.
ADHD medications
Chances are you know someone (or knew someone) with this disorder and therefore you may recognize the brand names of some of the most popular ADHD medications: Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin to name a few. When taken as directed by a family physician, these drugs are generally more helpful than they are harmful to a person with ADHD. However, in recent years these prescription amphetamines have frequently gotten into the wrong hands – the hands of persons who were never clinically diagnosed with ADHD and are therefore using the drugs recreationally.
How Do Amphetamines Work?
All stimulants, whether or not they are ADHD medications, increase the level of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and attention. Although at first, it may seem strange to administer a “stimulant” drug to a person with ADHD, since they already appear to be stimulated due to their hyperactive and inattentive behavior, these drugs often have the opposite effect on persons with ADHD. Instead of over-stimulating the brain, most ADHD patients receive slow-releasing capsules of stimulant medication, which work by steadily increasing the amounts of dopamine in the brain, thereby mimicking the natural production of this neurotransmitter.
How ADHD diagnosed
It has been speculated that persons diagnosed with ADHD have weaker dopamine signals than persons without ADHD. Therefore, the slow and timed release of dopamine levels in the brain of a person with ADHD will produce a calming effect that allows them to better focus on the task at hand. The real issue is when these types of stimulant medications get into the hands of individuals who were not prescribed the drug themselves. A recent trend, particularly among college students, is to obtain prescription amphetamines to increase their wakefulness, and ability to focus and induce a euphoric “high” feeling.
What Are the Physical Effects of Amphetamines?
Because amphetamines are considered psychostimulants, they usually induce wakefulness and improve one’s ability to concentrate and focus on a task. They also have the side effect of decreasing one’s appetite, which makes them an attractive (yet unhealthy) option for persons who are trying to lose weight. Other physical effects of amphetamines are as follows. Keep in mind these effects are for persons who were not necessarily prescribed amphetamines and are instead taking them recreationally or for “performance enhancement”.
- Hyperactivity
- Restlessness or twitching
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased/Rapid heart rate
- Depressed immune system (therefore prone to illnesses)
- Flushing
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
In extremely high doses, amphetamines can also cause seizures, heart attacks, strokes, and even death.
What Are the Psychological Effects of Amphetamines?
Again, these side effects are generally found in persons taking amphetamines without being followed by a physician (i.e. obtaining the drug elsewhere). Psychological effects can include:
- Feelings of euphoria
- Increased concentration and alertness
- Increased amounts of energy and hyperactivity
- Increased self-esteem and talkativeness
- Paranoia
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Irritability
- Aggressive behavior