While prescribed amphetamine given in small doses can improve the attention and focus of individuals who use it, larger doses or when the drug is abused, can lead to health complications. Some of the dangerous amphetamine side effects can be life threatening. Many wonder if the benefits of the drug are worth it -compared to the dangerous side effects that it can have on users.
According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), in medical use, there is controversy about whether the benefits of amphetamines prescribed for ADHD and weight loss outweigh the drug’s harmful side effects.
What are Some Dangerous Amphetamine Side Effects?
Side effects of amphetamine use can range from mild to dangerous. The more the drug is misused in ways other than prescribed, the more possibility that a user may experience the harmful effects associated with the drug. If you or a loved one is misusing amphetamines, then you should become aware of the dangers that a user may be susceptible to while taking amphetamine. Some of these can affect your overall health and can include the following side effects:
Physical:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Cardiovascular failure
- Headaches
- Skin disorders
- Liver damage
- Seizures
- Ulcers
Psychological:
Amphetamine use can make a person withdrawn, anxious, and moody.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Mood changes
- Aggression
- Hostility
- Amphetamine Psychosis
- Delusions
- Hypochondria
These are some known side effects that have been experienced by users. There may be other effects that are not listed here. The more a person abuses the drug, and the larger the doses become, the more dangerous it can become for them to keep using amphetamines.
Other Dangerous Amphetamine Side Effects
A user can easily build tolerance and dependence to the drug, becoming psychologically addicted quickly if repeated use continues. The dangers of continued use can result in psychosis or drug overdose. The consequences of an amphetamine overdose can lead into a person falling into a coma, a heart attack, or possible death.
How Can Amphetamine Use Affect Your Life?
Like other addictive drugs, using amphetamines can affect many areas of your life aside from your physical and psychological health. It can negatively impact your lifestyle and personal relationships. Some of the negative ways this drug can affect your daily life include:
- Job loss or school expulsion: Behavior changes can be a side effects of repeated amphetamine use. Acting aggressive or hostile towards others at work can cause job loss, or if attending school –expelled.
- Family stress: Members that notice the negative impact that amphetamine is having on you will worry and become stressed if you continue without getting help.
- Ruin friendships: Special friends that care about your well-being may start to avoid you if you act differently, lie about the drug use, and/or refuse to get treatment.
Amphetamines can be a very dangerous drug when misused. Even when taken as prescribed it can cause side effects. If you ignore the harmful side effects and not tell anyone, then you risk possible irreversible damage emotionally and physically. If you are worried about the amphetamine side effects listed here, and have experienced some of them, do not wait until they get worse. Call and talk to a health care professional or an addiction specialist as soon as you can.