Amphetamines are drugs that stimulate the nervous system. Some popular examples of prescription amphetamines are Adderall and Ritalin, while illegal forms include speed and meth. Users commonly abuse the prescription forms to enhance their academic or job performance. On the other hand, illegal amphetamines typically cause increased wakefulness, weight loss due to a decreased appetite and feelings of euphoria. These characteristics make amphetamines both highly popular and highly addictive.
Amphetamine abuse has several short-term side effects including headache, loss of appetite, nausea and nervousness. While these symptoms can be unpleasant, they are rarely severe enough to cause serious damage. Many users believe that these symptoms, though uncomfortable, are harmless, or they convince themselves that any damage they endure will heal over time. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case, as amphetamines can have devastating long-term effects.
Permanent Effects of Amphetamine Abuse
If you are addicted to amphetamines, you run the risk of permanently damaging your body and brain. Addiction causes permanent changes in the way your brain functions. When an amphetamine user becomes addicted to, he does so because the amphetamines have rewired his brain. Instead of functioning normally, an addict’s brain convinces needs the amphetamine to function normally. This causes users to experience severe withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug, making it almost impossible to quit without the help of an addiction rehab program. This is the reason that former addicts always consider themselves in a state of recovery: their brains have been permanently conditioned to want drugs.
Other permanent neurological side effects include memory loss and disturbed thought process. Amphetamines can also permanently damage the liver, heart and other important organs. If this damage is severe enough, the result could be fatal or could shorten an addict’s life expectancy. In addition, amphetamine addiction can also cause users to lose employment. Drugs eventually become an addict’s sole focus. Instead of focusing on job performance and financial responsibility, addicts focus on obtaining and using a drug of choice. This can lead to job loss, homelessness and permanent damage to your professional reputation as many employers are reluctant to hire a person with a record of drug abuse.
Help for Amphetamine Addicts
If you are experiencing the tragic effects of amphetamine abuse, don’t give up hope. It is not too late to get the help that you need to experience a drug-free life. Call our toll-free helpline now. We are available 24 hours a day to get you the help that you need. It is not too late to recover from addiction. With the right help you can beat your addiction to amphetamines and live a full and healthy life.