Amphetamine drugs come in both legal and illegal forms. As a legal drug, amphetamine belongs to the Schedule II class of narcotic substances and can only be obtained in prescription form. Illegal forms of amphetamine come from synthetic materials manufactured in underground labs as well as from natural plant materials.
Commonly used as a treatment for narcolepsy, ADHD and extreme obesity, prescription amphetamine drugs include:
- Adderall
- Strattera
- Ritalin
- Concerta
Natural amphetamine drugs include:
- Carnitine
- Cathinone
- Blackbrush
- Guarana
Whether used for treatment or recreational purposes, long term amphetamine use takes a toll on the brain and body bringing on a range of adverse effects, according to the U. S. National Library of Medicine. This is especially the case when abusing these drugs.
Amphetamine Effects in the Brain
Amphetamines stimulate or speed up chemical activities throughout the brain and central nervous system (CNS). When ingested, amphetamines effects include:
- Surge in energy levels
- Increased heart rate
- Increased breathing rates
- Elevated blood pressure
- Feelings of confidence
- Enhanced focus and concentration
Both the brain and CNS rely on neurotransmitter chemicals to regulate the body’s various systems. Over time, long term amphetamine use disrupts this chemical system making it increasingly difficult for the brain to maintain normal bodily functioning. Recreational users in particular face the risk of developing serious medical and/or psychological problems with long term amphetamine use.
Consequences of Long Term Amphetamine Use
Physical Dependency
Longterm amphetamine use can cause physical dependency.
With long term amphetamine use, the brain starts to depend on amphetamine effects to regulate CNS functions. This comes about through the drug’s effects on neurotransmitter-producing brain cells.
In effect, amphetamines forces cell sites to release large amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine, both essential neurotransmitter chemicals. Long term amphetamine use overworks these cells to the point where actual structural damage starts to develop.
This damage works to weaken cells making them unable to produce neurotransmitter materials as normal. Before long, cell sites can no longer produce needed chemical amounts in the absence of the drug.
Physical dependency creates considerable chemical imbalances in the brain. These imbalances leave the brain unable to regulate bodily system in a normal fashion.
Under these conditions, withdrawal symptoms start to surface. Long term amphetamine use brings on repeated withdrawal episodes with users experiencing the following symptoms:
- Profuse sweating
- Fatigue
- Frequent mood swings
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Insomnia
In effect, withdrawal symptoms reflect the state of chemical imbalance in the brain, with symptoms growing more severe as this imbalance worsens.
Addiction
As Schedule II class drugs, amphetamines carry a considerable risk of abuse and addiction in spite of their use as medical treatments. In actuality, prescription amphetamines exist as the second most addictive drug class on the market, according to the University of Maryland.
Over time, the chemical imbalances brought on by long term amphetamine use start to interfere with the brain’s cognitive-based centers, most especially the brain’s reward system. The reward system regulates learning and motivation functions, which tie in directly with a person’s motivations, priorities and overall drive or ambitions.
Long term amphetamine use warps reward system functions, making this vital center dependent on the drug’s effects. With frequent, long term amphetamine use, users develop a psychological dependency on amphetamine effects.
A psychological dependency affects a person’s sense of purpose and priorities in such a way that he or she creates a new lifestyle that centers around getting and using amphetamines. Over the course of long term amphetamine use, the addict’s life slowly falls apart bringing about one or more of the following consequences:
- Loss of interest in once enjoyed activities and pursuits
- Neglecting friends and family
- Workplace issues or loss of employment
- Relationship difficulties
- Failing health
- Money problems
- Problems with law
Much like a physical dependency, a person’s life circumstances will only worsen with continued drug use.
Effects on the Cardiovascular System
Long term amphetamine use wreaks havoc on a person’s overall physical health, slowly destroying cells in the brain as major bodily systems breakdown. The body’s cardiovascular system in particular undergoes considerable damage in the process.
According to the Institute for Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluation, amphetamine’s ability to increase blood pressure levels places excess strain on heart and blood vessel linings. These effects place a significant strain on the heart, especially in cases where plaque build-up exists along blood vessel passageways. With long term amphetamine use, users remain at risk of heart attack, stroke and developing heart disease.
Neurotoxic Effects
Amphetamine effects on brain cell structures soon turns into full-blown brain damage with long term amphetamine use. Over time, amphetamine’s influence not only “reconfigures” the brain’s chemical pathways, but also reshapes the brain’s structures.
This degree of damage has widespread effects on a person’s overall physical and psychological health. In this state, the brain has become a diseased environment that relies on amphetamine effects to function. With continued drug use, these conditions only grow worse.
Emotional Effects
With long-term amphetamine use, users enter into a continuous state of emotional turmoil as the drug’s effects weaken chemical processes in the brain. While some of these effects do develop out of withdrawal episodes, long-term users only experience mild relief from emotional distress when using the drug.
Over time, damage done to the brain’s frontal lobe regions places a person at risk of developing:
- Anxiety-based disorders
- Panic attacks
- Depression disorders
- Loss of impulse control
- Psychotic-type episodes
Amphetamine-Induced Psychosis
Amphetamine-induced psychosis exists as one of the more severe consequences of long term amphetamine use, which can become permanent in some cases. Much like a full-blown psychosis, symptoms associated with amphetamine-induced psychosis make it all but impossible for a person to function in everyday life.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, symptoms may take the form of:
- Hallucinations
- Delusional episodes
- Loss of motivation
- Violent behaviors
- Lethargy
- Incoherent though and speech patterns
Ultimately, long term amphetamine use can bring about serious consequences to a person’s overall well-being and ability to function in daily life. While these drugs do offer certain therapeutic benefits, their best suited for short-term treatment purposes.
