The Drug Enforcement Agency defines amphetamines as “stimulants that speed up the body’s system.” Many people only think about amphetamines street drugs like speed and crystal meth. However, legal amphetamines are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and prescribed.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states: “Prescription stimulants have a calming and “focusing” effect on individuals with ADHD. They are prescribed to patients for daily use, and come in the form of tablets or capsules of varying dosages. Treatment of ADHD with stimulants, often in conjunction with psychotherapy, helps to improve ADHD symptoms along with the patient’s self-esteem, thinking ability, and social and family interactions.”
If you are concerned that you have a prescription amphetamine abuse disorder, get help today at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) to speak with someone who can connect you with necessary resources and treatments.
Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine, brand name Dexedrine , Dextrostat, or ProCentra, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Although, the way it works is not known, it affects certain chemicals in the brain, which might help to increase attention span.
It is primarily prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy.
Levoamphetamine
Prescription amphetamines such as Adderall and Ritalin are often used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.
Levoamphetamine – also levamfetamine – is a CNS stimulant known to increase wakefulness and concentration, while decreasing appetite and fatigue.
It is primarily prescribed for the treatment of ADHD, obesity, and narcolepsy.
Adderall contains 25 percent levoamphetamine salts.
Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine—brand name Vyvanse—is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Although, the way it works is not known, it affects certain chemicals in the brain, which might help to increase attention span.
It is primarily prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED).
Adderall
Adderall—brand names—contains a combination of amphetamine (75 percent) and dextroamphetamine (25 percent). Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are central nervous system stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
It is primarily prescribed for narcolepsy and ADHD.
Ritalin
Ritalin—brand names Aptensio XR, Concerta, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Methylin, Quillivant XR, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, and Ritalin-SR—is a CNS stimulant. It has an effect on chemicals in the brain and nerves that add to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), ADHD, and narcolepsy.
Focalin
Focalin—brand names Focalin, Focalin XR— is a mild stimulant to the CNS. It has an effect on the chemicals in the brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
It is used to treat ADHD.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine—brand name Desoxyn—is a CNS stimulant. It has an effect on the chemicals in the brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
It is used to treat ADHD. It is also used to treat obesity after other diets or medications have been tried without successful results.
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine—brand name Strattera— has an effect on the chemicals in the brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
It is used to treat ADHD.
Addiction
The following traits have been identified by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University as being risk factors for addiction:
- Genetic predisposition
- Certain brain characteristics that can make someone more vulnerable to addictive substances than the average person
- Psychological factors (e.g., stress, personality traits like high impulsivity or sensation seeking, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, personality and other psychiatric disorders)
- Environmental influences (e.g., exposure to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or trauma, substance use or addiction in the family or among peers, access to an addictive substance; exposure to popular culture references that encourage substance use)
- Starting alcohol, nicotine or other drug use at an early age
If you have these risk factors present in your makeup and you are using amphetamines outside of the manner prescribed by your doctor, you are likely in the hold of an addiction.
For help dealing with your addiction, get help at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) and speak with someone today.
