How Do I Know If Someone Is On Amphetamines?

A significant component of understanding the warning signs of being on amphetamines is first to understand what this class of drugs is, and how it works. Amphetamines are stimulants, and they impact the user’s central nervous system. They can be prescribed as a medical treatment for issues such as narcolepsy, hyperactivity disorders like ADHD, and asthma. Two of the most common stimulants that are prescribed for hyperactivity are Ritalin and Adderall. While these drugs are medically intended for the treatment of hyperactivity and ADHD, they are some of the most widely abused stimulants. When amphetamines are taken, they stimulate brain activity as well as activating the central nervous system. This can lead to improved cognitive function, as well as the user feeling more alert and awake. Amphetamines can also make people generally feel more motivated and euphoric. These drugs are commonly abused by students who want to perform better in school, particularly when they’re in college, but people of any age can abuse them. They’re also abused when people want to lose weight, or just feel more energetic. In fact, in the past amphetamines were even prescribed as a way to help people lose weight. Currently, along with treating hyperactivity, these drugs may be prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy, and in rare cases, for the treatment of depression. Prescription medications that contain amphetamines along with Adderall include Dexedrine and Vyvanse. Amphetamines have some similarities to methamphetamines as well, but illegal methamphetamine is more powerful, addictive and potentially deadly. Also classified as amphetamine is Molly or MDMA, which is used as a “club drug” in many cases.

There are a couple of different instances you might suspect someone is on amphetamines or abusing them. The first would be a scenario in which the person has a prescription for amphetamines, but is taking higher doses or taking doses more often than is prescribed. Also, some individuals who are prescribed these drugs may crush them and then short them for a more fast, powerful high. Amphetamines may also be abused by people who don’t have a prescription and purchase them illegally. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015, there were around 4.8 million people in America who abused amphetamines that year alone, which amounts to 1.8 percent of the country’s population aged 12 and older.

While the use of some drugs may be easy for users to hide, amphetamines aren’t necessarily one of those. The signs of amphetamine abuse can often be relatively visible to outsiders, and the effects of these drugs tend to last for a long time. One of the most common signs someone is on amphetamines and possibly abusing them is talkativeness. When someone uses these drugs, their brain is stimulated, and that can lead them to not only talk a lot but also talk quickly. It’s very apparent in most cases if someone is on amphetamines and you interact with them. When someone is on amphetamines, they may also stay up for a day or more because the drug keeps them awake, and they will tend to lose their appetite. If you notice someone once had a normal appetite and suddenly seems uninterested in food, particularly on a prolonged basis, it can indicate amphetamine abuse. Since amphetamines are stimulants, someone who is using and abusing them may appear very fidgety, and they may have troubling sitting still or staying still. Other signs of amphetamine use can include a fast heart rate, increased body temperature, and a sense of euphoria. Blood pressure can quickly rise, breathing can speed up, and pupils will often become dilated. While these are some of the most common signs of amphetamine use, there can be some even more negative side effects that may occur. These can include digestive problems, aggressive, paranoid or anxious behavior, and even hallucinations. When someone is coming off the euphoric effects of amphetamines, they may start to seem fatigued, depressed, or generally disinterested in things in their life. This is also referred to as the “amphetamine comedown,” and other side effects can be headaches, irritability, blurry vision, confusion, dizziness, periods of anxiety, and cravings for more drugs.

Amphetamines are a class of drug to which the brain quickly develops a tolerance. This means that people who begin using them will soon after need to start taking higher doses to get the same effect. That can lead to something that’s called bingeing. With amphetamine bingeing people take large doses over a brief period. Some of the signs someone is bingeing on amphetamines include very extreme depression or anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, extreme tiredness, psychotic episodes and sleeping very extended periods, anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.

Some of the behavioral signs of amphetamine use are nearly instantaneous after the person takes a dose of the drug, such as talkativeness. Others may start to occur over time with more prolonged abuse. While at first someone who is taking amphetamines may seem incredibly motivated when it comes to school or work if they’re continuously abusing the drug they may start to struggle to keep up with responsibilities. A person can start shifting their focus from their previous priorities to either obtaining or using the drug. Individuals who use amphetamines regularly may also start having trouble with their existing relationships and lose interest in activities they previously engaged in. The person who is abusing amphetamines may start doing anything they can to get more drugs, including stealing from other people or trying to visit different doctors to obtain a prescription. When people are on amphetamines, they can appear to have an inflated sense of self or overestimate their abilities, and over time they may become malnourished if they’re abusing amphetamines. Being on amphetamines can be incredibly dangerous, and when they’re used over prolonged periods, it can increase the likelihood of the person developing psychological and health problems. Amphetamines can deteriorate brain function permanently, so if you suspect someone you love is displaying the signs and symptoms of amphetamine abuse, it’s important to seek professional medical or addiction help.