Understanding the Effects of Speed and Other Substance Abuses

Uppers such as speed and other amphetamines are frequently abused by people looking to experience a rush and a "high". In the long term, the effects of this kind of substance abuse can be quite debilitating.

Amphetamines are a form of synthetic stimulant. They are rarely used in the field of medicine, with the exception of dexedrine, which doctors use to treat narcolepsy, and the amphetamine-like drug methylphenidate, which is used treat ADD. These stimulants are common street drugs, however, because of the high that they produce.

Amphetamines are usually taken in a powdered form, either swallowed, smoked or snorted.  They are highly addictive and while small doses are not particularly dangerous (amphetamines were available over-the-counter until just a few decades ago), they can be dangerous if abused. In small doses they increase your heart rate and reduce your appetite, and this means that many athletes use them to try to help them cut weight or reduce their bodyfat percentages. However, when an amphetamine user comes down from the effects of the drug, it can take days for them to return to normal again. The "downer" that comes after the high can be powerful and this means that people often seek another hit.

Long term, repeated exposure can lead to a lack of sleep and a greatly reduced food intake. This reduces the user's resistance to disease and can leave them feeling tired, drained and unwell. Prolonged sleep deprivation leads to mood swings, aggression, paranoia and depression. An overdose of amphetamines can put excessive stress on the heart, potentially leading to heart failure.

The good news is that it takes just a few of months to get clean from abusing amphetamines. The first few days or weeks can be difficult, but after a while the body can restore itself to normal functioning. The sooner the addict stops using the drug, the less likely there will be any lasting damage done.