Amphetamines (Speed)

Amphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant that is found in major prescription stimulants like Adderall and Dexedrine as well as in illicit forms such as Methamphetamines and Ecstasy.

Illegal amphetamines known as speed comes in a powdery crystallised form and has a bitter taste, its common street names are whizz, billy and base. If taken medicinally or illicitly, both have a high probability of dependency due to the way they work in an individual’s brain, increasing energy, confidence, alertness and focus.

Users have become psychotic and delusional when on speed, hearing and seeing things that aren’t there.

Amphetamine can be taken as a tablet, crushed and snorted, put in a cigarette paper and swallowed known as bombing. Injecting street amphetamine is very risky due to it being so impure, increases risk of overdose causes vein damage and risk of catching blood-borne viruses through sharing needles.

Students during their exam periods use speed in the myth that it helps them to focus longer and perform better. But the truth is Amphetamines for whatever reason you use them cause memory problems and changes the way the brain behaves, destroying its pleasure receptors and decreasing the body’s ability to experience pleasure without using the drug. Regular users of Amphetamine can often end up becoming depressed, anxious and paranoid resulting in mental illness.

Regular users will also increase in their usage to avoid withdrawals from speed.
Long-term individuals who misuse Amphetamines may become more tolerant to it, requiring increased doses for the same high, which can lead to dependency and more significant health risks.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s Amphetamines use, please call us at Ciconia Recovery London for a friendly and confidential chat about the best ways you can support your loved one.

• Fast heart rate, the strain on the heart
• Sleep problems
• Heart palpitations
• Hallucination and paranoia
• Dehydration
• Urine retention
• Repetitive movement
• Compulsive behaviour
• Elevated body temperature
• Vein damage
• BBV’s
• Mental illness
• Irritability

• Fatigue and intense sleepiness
• Loss of appetite
• Twitches and other body movements
• Slow reactions and movements
• Aches and pains
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Nightmares
• Depression
• Anxiety