Long-Term Effects of Amphetamine Abuse

The long-term effects of amphetamine abuse can lead to life-changing consequences. Abusing this drug can be dangerous and lead to hardships that can be hard to overcome. Amphetamine abuse and addiction can rob someone of their future. The damage that can be caused by amphetamine abuse can be hard to reverse. Relationships can be hard to heal. Trust can be broken, and repairing that can be difficult.

Getting back to a healthier, happier point is crucial to recovering from the damage that these drugs can cause. Understanding amphetamines and their effects can be a starting point. 

What are Amphetamines?

As stimulant drugs, amphetamines are drugs that can elevate energy levels and decrease a person’s need for rest and sleep. There are medical uses for amphetamines, however, they are commonly abused and misused for the effects they can cause. Medical uses for amphetamines include narcolepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Illicit, or illegally manufactured and delivered, amphetamines including crystal meth can contain a slew of chemicals and binders. Because they are not professionally produced, there is no regulation on what and how much goes into them. This can lead to devastating results.

Amphetamines can come in powder or a crystalline substance. They also come in pills and capsules. Methamphetamines are one of the most commonly abused forms of amphetamines. The long-term effects of amphetamines can be long-lasting and hard to reverse. Knowing the signs of potential amphetamine abuse can help lead to loved ones getting the professional care they need.

Signs of Amphetamine Abuse

The signs of amphetamine abuse can seemingly be obvious when reflecting on them. The changes in a person’s mood and personality can be drastic, their demeanor could flip easily, and their morals could be compromised. Signs that someone could use to identify their loved one may be struggling include:

• Hostility
• Aggressiveness
• Increased confidence
• Teeth grinding
• Decreased need for sleep
• Decreased appetite
• Increased body temperature and blood pressure
• Paranoia
• Psychosis
• Hallucinations
• Depression
• Anxiety

These signs can be indicative of someone who is struggling with amphetamines. Severe impacts to health and overall well-being can result from prolonged amphetamine abuse. Aside from the euphoric feeling caused by the use of amphetamines, a person who is struggling can experience respiratory, mental, and social impacts. These impacts can cause harm to a person’s overall well-being and often leads to continued abuse of the drug. 

Side Effects of Amphetamines

Amphetamines can have some pretty intense side effects. The long-term effects of amphetamines can be life-altering and can lead to some changes in a person that wouldn’t have occurred otherwise. Amphetamine abuse can result in malnutrition, chest pain, trouble at work or school, hostility, convulsions, depression, exacerbated mental health issues, and broken relationships with family and friends. It can also lead to psychosis, paranoia, coma, and even death.

Changes to personality from amphetamine abuse can be difficult to reverse. Long-term effects of amphetamine abuse like psychosis and paranoia can lead to permanent damage to portions of a person’s brain. The risk of losing meaningful relationships with friends and family is great.

The impacts that this drug can have on a person’s personality can be severe leading to changes that can lead to broken relationships. Someone struggling with this drug should reach out and get professional help as soon as possible to prevent the worsening of any of these effects.

Amphetamine Withdrawal

People who have struggled for a prolonged period of time with amphetamines often have a very difficult time when they try to stop. These drugs are highly addictive, and when someone tries to abruptly stop using them, they could begin to experience some extremely uncomfortable symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal. These symptoms, if not properly addressed, can lead a person to use the drug again in order to find relief.

Some symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal are aches and pains, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Mentally, withdrawal from amphetamines can cause severe and intense cravings. These cravings can be hard to ignore and fight through. Knowing the havoc and damage that the drug can cause, they cannot seem to get through the cravings without using it again. 

One of the most severe symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal is suicidal ideation. This is an extremely dangerous symptom that if acted upon can have devastating results. Professional care and monitoring are a crucial part of amphetamine withdrawal. Having professional people to provide care and support as someone begins a life on the other side of addiction to amphetamines can help make the process easier and more comfortable. Proper care and support can help individuals successfully begin a journey of recovery.

Help for Amphetamine Abuse

Amphetamines are a dangerous substance. Leading to addiction that can wreak havoc on a person’s entire life, the long-term effects of amphetamine abuse can also lead to some severe health and mental health issues. If you or a loved one are struggling with amphetamines, there is help available. Louisville Addiction Center is here to help those who are struggling to find recovery. Our team of professionals is standing by to help you begin this step in the process.

Reach out today and begin your journey.