Taking amphetamines is also perceived to help people with anxiety disorders in social situations, with side effects of heightened energy and excitement believed to increase confidence and help them to become more talkative. While this may seem appealing, such benefits are short-lived, and make way for more dangerous and uncomfortable symptoms in the long-term. One of the major contributing Xanax Withdrawal  factors to amphetamine addiction is that taking an amphetamine releases ‘feel good’ chemicals such as dopamine in the brain.

 

Cases of a dual diagnosis require an individualised treatment plan to address the addiction and the underlying mental health condition. John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. There are tried and tested, evidence-based ways to treat any kind of addiction, however, including prescription drugs like Adderall.

This means that you need to increase the dose of amphetamines to get the same response. Dopamine receptors are found throughout the body, and these neurotransmitters play essential roles in regulating many physiological processes. Norepinephrine is involved in arousal, attention, memory, and learning. Amphetamines increase levels of both dopamine and norepinephrine, which results in improved mood, wakefulness, and motivation. However, there are some significant differences between amphetamines and methamphetamines. When recommended by a doctor, prescription amphetamines are legal to use.

 

How is amphetamine addiction treated?

 

No formal studies in humans have been carried out and the exact toxic dosage is unknown [8]. Ritalin is prescribed in the UK for the treatment of ADHD and some diversion does occur. Some amphetamines are synthesised in clandestine labs in the UK, while the bulk of the rest is imported from mainland Europe. The mainstay of the UK amphetamine market, amphetamine sulphate, is usually sold as a powder.

 

Get help for amphetamine addiction today

 

Athletes use them to increase endurance or recover quicker, whereas many students to try to improve their mental performance, such as prolonged concentration or memory enhancement. However when abused by those who do not have an inherent chemical imbalances, the prescription stimulants can produce an overabundance of the chemical dopamine, the pleasure-inducing chemical in the brain. After continued use of any stimulants, the brain can no longer produce normal amounts of dopamine on its own.

 

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr Robert Lefever, a world-leading addictions specialist. Those working long hours and night shifts may also be tempted to abuse Adderall to keep them awake and alert. Addiction is considered an incurable brain disease that is progressive in nature and life-threatening. Mixing with alcohol can also increase your chances of experiencing heart problems such as cardiomyopathy.

 

of expertise on drug issues

 

Additionally people may experience insomnia and restlessness, twitching, muscle aches, and fluctuating temperature. At very high doses the after-effects can be severe, including vomiting, diarrhoea, and a psychosis similar to schizophrenia [7]. Sometimes pills sold as MDMA (ecstasy) or other drugs may actually contain amphetamine. As with the forms above, purity is variable and often low, with much of the pill being other substances which could themselves be harmful [7]. If you think you have ADHD, the first step to getting treatment is to receive a diagnosis from a specialist doctor. This is generally a psychiatrist with considerable experience of working in the field of neurodevelopmental conditions.

 

The Disease View states that there is some “normal” process of motivation in the brain and that this process is somehow changed or perverted by brain damage or adaptation caused by chronic drug use. On this theory of addiction, the addict is no longer rational; she uses drugs as a result of a fundamentally non-voluntary process. Alan Leshner [3,6] is the most wellknown proponent of this version of the disease view. The consequence is virtually uncontrollable compulsive drug craving, seeking, and use that interferes with, if not destroys, an individual’s functioning in the family and in society [7]. Prescription stimulant abuse is a growing problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

 

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 sets out the list of controlled drugs in the UK, separating them into different classes. Drug treatments include stimulants (e.g. methylphenidate and amphetamines) and non-stimulants (e.g. atomoxetine). It is not clear which drugs are most effective, as they are usually tested against placebos, rather than against each other.

 

Rehab is an effective course of treatment for all substance abuse, from alcohol and illicit drugs to over-the-counter stimulants and medication, and even co-occurring mental health and behavioural issues. Private, inpatient rehab facilities offer expert care designed to treat every aspect of addiction, no matter what substance is being abused. Although stimulants, when authorised by a doctor, are legal, they still present serious, and even life-threatening dangers if misused. Side effects may include increased blood pressure and heart rate, high temperature, heart palpitations, heart failure, seizures, and overdose. Physical and psychological dependence can quickly materialise with regular use, making it extremely difficult to stop taking these substances without professional help.