SPEED / AMPHETAMINES
Facts About The Drug
What It Is
Names: Amphetamine, speed, methamphetaime, bennies, black beauties, copilots, crystal, dexies, eye openers, lid poppers, meth, pep pills, uppers, wake-ups, Dexedrine, Desoxyn
Type: Central nervous system stimulant.
Forms: White crystalline powder, soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol. (Methamphetamine is freely soluble in water and alcohol.) Off-white to yellow coarse powder, crystals, and chunks. Capsules or tablets of various colors.
Combinations: With barbiturates, "goofballs" with methamphetamine or cocaine and heroin, "speedballs" with LSD and PCP.
Usage: Swallowed (capsules, tablets). Injected into bloodstream (solution). Sniffed (powder), "snorted."
Legal Status: Illegal except for licensed medical treatment of narcolepsy, childhood behavior disorders, parkinsonism, epilepsy, hypotensive states.
What It Feels Like
Rush of pleasure similar to orgasm or electric shock (after injection). Reduced appetite. Increased alertness, euphoria, excitement, creativity, power. Altered sex drive. Restlessness, dizziness, confusion, depression, irritability. Paranoia, distorted perceptions, visions.
What It Does
To Your Mind: Over stimulates central nervous system.
To Your Body: Increases heart rate, breathing rate. Effects irregular heartbeat and breathing. Dry mouth, foul taste, diarrhea. Appetite suppression. Retraction of gum tissue. Impotence. Increased urine output, fainting, sweating, fever, convulsions, coma, hemorrhage.
Special Characteristics: Methamphetamine "run" of three to five days produces euphoria replaced by agitation on second day, along with frightening visual images and exhaustion. Amphetamine "run" psychosis may bring on uncontrollable violent behavior similar to paranoid schizophrenia.
How It Can Hurt You
Chronic sleep problems, nervousness. Nutritional deficiency, skin rash, high blood pressure. Paranoia, chronic amphetamine psychosis, decreased emotional control, severe depression. Needle related hepatitis, infection, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), collapsed and blocked blood vessels, over-work of body systems.
Death from suicide induced by psychic depression, collapse of blood vessels in brain, heart failure, extreme fever, violent accidents and murders.
Dependence arises from tolerance and cross-tolerance, and taking additional drug to stop withdrawal effects, risking return of psychosis.
When To Get Help
- Do you use speed regularly?
- Do you think about how and when you''re going to use speed again?
- Is your work or school performance affected by your drug use?
- Are you having problems with family and friends?
- Do you spend more on speed than you can afford?
- Do you use drugs in addition to amphetamines?
One "yes" and your common sense tells you it's time to get smart about drugs and the rest of your life.
Fact:Speed users reach a plateau where no pleasure is possible.
Return to the Education Page.
