Amphetamine abuse has consequences, just like any other drug and can affect someone’s health, work, family, and financial responsibilities. Consider these consequences of amphetamine abuse.
Social Consequences
Longterm amphetamine abuse can be especially devastating to a person’s life. Even common or small problems can become obstacles, and people abusing amphetamines can often act with hostility due to the effect that the drug has on their brains. According to the ADF, amphetamine abuse can have these effects on a person’s social life and responsibilities:
- “Arguments and break-ups” in relationships, including rifts between family members, divorce, and custody battles
- “Reduced performance” at work which can lead to the loss of a job
- The inability to concentrate or do well in school leading to bad grades
- Hostile reactions and violent behaviors that isolate you from friends, family, and loved ones
Amphetamines have a large effect on behavior, and a person who abuses them will grow increasingly more hostile, paranoid, and have a stronger tendency toward violent behavior. This leads to consequences in all areas of social involvement. One of the most dangerous possibilities but also one of the most likely is when the person abusing amphetamines becomes addicted to the drug. This will mean that he or she cannot stop abusing it, even when the consequences become very severe.
Health Consequences
Abusing amphetamines can cause night terrors, anxiety and other side effects.
Amphetamine abuse causes many consequences that affect a person’s health. Because abuse of the drug can be so dangerous and so addictive, these often occur before the person can be treated. Some of the health consequences caused by amphetamine abuse are:
- Collapsed blood vessels
- Severe weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Lowered immunity
- Withdrawal symptoms including:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Nightmares
- Heart attack
- Stroke
The NHTSA states that amphetamine abuse can also lead to overdose which may cause extreme health consequences such as:
- Hyperthermia
- Rapid heart rate
- “Severe hypertension”
- Convulsions
- Stroke
- “Cardiovascular collapse”
- Death
Individuals who abuse amphetamines also have an increased risk of contracting STDs, hepatitis, and HIV (NHTSA). Psychosis often occurs in long-term users as well which can begin to resemble schizophrenia. A person puts their health in real danger when abusing amphetamines, especially for a long period of time.
Other Consequences
Some of the other consequences that occur from amphetamine abuse are:
- Financial consequences
- As people tend to lose their jobs as a result of amphetamine abuse, their finances can be put in jeopardy. Also when prescriptions run out, people turn to buying amphetamines illegally for which, because they are addicted, they will often use money that was meant for other things, leaving them without necessary funds.
- Lawful consequences
- Amphetamine abuse causes violent and erratic behavior that can get a person in trouble with the law. Depending on how severe someone’s actions are, this can lead to jail time. Merely the taking of certain amphetamines, like crystal meth, is illegal as well.
If you or someone you love has begun to abuse amphetamines, seek treatment for addiction. Many people do not believe that they have a problem and will continue abusing amphetamines until many of these consequences have occurred. It is difficult (and sometimes impossible) to rebuild a shattered relationship or reverse severe health effects after the fact, and many actions come of amphetamine abuse that you cannot take back.