Amphetamines are a group of synthetic stimulants created synthetically and usually called ‘speed’, goey or whizz. Chemically they are similar to the naturally occurring adrenaline.
There are three main types of speed that are closely related:
• Amphetamine sulphate
• Dextroamphetamine
• Methamphetamine.
Appearance
Speed is usually produced in backyard labs, so it’s appearance varies as it is rarely pure, and up to 90% may consist of fillers such as glucose powder, caffeine, flour, vitamin C or powder baby milk. Most street amphetamine will be in powder form (varying in colour from white to orange or brown), tablets, paste, capsules or crystals. If being injected, you should always use a filter to get the crap out of your shot. Speak to NSP staff about getting your hands on some filters.
How is it taken?
Speed can be smoked, swallowed, snorted, shafted and injected.
What the desired effects of speed?
As mentioned, the effects of speed are similar to an adrenalin rush but last longer. Users report feeling clear-minded, a desire to talk with others, self-confident and energetic. Some may use speed to work for long periods of time, others simply use it to get high, and some may use it to dance all night.
What the negative effects of speed?
Frequent chronic use of the drug erodes both physical and mental health. Because speed stimulates the nervous system, appetite is suppressed and many find they clench their jaw and grind their teeth. Blood pressure and heart rate are also increased while the drug takes effect. Long-term users can suffer dental problems from lack of dry mouth and teeth grinding. Other long term effects include malnutrition, reduced resistance to infection, emotional disturbances, aggression and rage.
Regular users are advised to take multi-vitamin and calcium tablets to reduce some of the harmful effects of speed.
'Coming down' off speed
Small doses of speed (one line, one pill) wear off within three to eight hours later, leaving you fatigued but not exhausted. Hence the strong temptation to top up and continue speeding. This staves off the comedown but increases its severity. Eventually you face a “crash” rather than a manageable come down. It’s fear of the crash which keeps some people on weekend- even week-long “speed runs”.
Speed overdose can occur and consists of sweating, fits, heart palpitations and psychosis. Often people assume this is the usual effect of speed and do not recognise these signs as having had too much, or actually overdosing. Severe cases can cause brain haemorrhage, heart attack, fever, coma and occasionally death.
Just as the pull of heroin is often over-dramatised, the pull of speed is dramatically understated. The combination of the physical rush and psychological boost is a strong draw for many users. The danger comes from over-regular use, and over familiarity, becoming more dependent on the release of energy and more uncomfortable with the body’s natural energy levels.
Paranoia and nervous tension are common after even mild recreational use. Even occasional, light users can suffer depression and lasting fatigue. Heavy users hit severe, sometimes suicidal lows, and can slump into deep sleeps lasting well over 24 hours.
Amphetamine psychosis (or speed psychosis)
Amphetamine psychosis can occur from large doses and/or long-term use. On the technical side, research suggests it occurs due to an increase in dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain caused by amphetamines, although severe lack of sleep in extended binges may play a significant role too.
Its effects often start with curiosity, deep thought and paranoia. Its slow build up makes it all the more dangerous, as it is harder to recognise the symptoms. The person may become delusional and paranoid, feeling under threat when there is no reasonable cause to feel this way. Vivid auditory hallucinations and paranoid delusions are the real frighteners and, unlike hallucinogens, the “trip” cannot be turned around. This is a very real mental state caused by over-excitement of the brain’s fright centres. Hallucinations may also affect eyesight and smell.
This disorder is made more likely when speed is used with other drugs as well, or the person is not physically well. Another common feature is becoming obsessed with repetitive thoughts and/or body movements that won’t go away. Some people get into obsessional activities, ironing or scrubbing floors though the night, or dismantling and reassembling electrical equipment.
While amphetamine psychosis is much more common amongst heavy regular users there are real dangers that any small amount of speed used by a person with schizophrenic tendencies could push them over the edge. Any signs of amphetamine psychosis are a clear indication that you are overdoing things and need to take a break! The symptoms will worsen if use is continued, so do your brain and body a favour and rest up for a while!
Addiction or dependency on speed
The body quickly builds tolerance to amphetamines with regular use, though this fades quickly with breaks. Users have to rapidly increase doses to maintain effects. Amphetamines are highly addictive, working like alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine on the dopamine “reward” pathways of the brain. Short-term recreational use can slip unnoticed into long term systematic abuse. Some speed addicts have had habits lasting over twenty years.
Withdrawal can occur when a dependent person stops using speed or severely
cuts down the amount they use. Symptoms will be exactly the reverse effects
of the drug - fatigue, hunger, depression, disturbed sleep, irritability,
agitation and anxiety. Detox services can help to get you through the worst
of the withdrawal symptoms.
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