Amphetamines

What are amphetamines?

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs, which means they speed up the workings of the brain. Slang names for amphetamines include speed, up, uppers, louee, goey, whiz, and rack.

The most potent form is crystal methamphetamine (ice).

There are legal (prescribed by a doctor) and illegal amphetamines.

Legal amphetamines are prescribed for the treatment of conditions such as narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), they have also been used to treat Parkinson’s disease. The non-medical use of amphetamine medications is illegal.

Amphetamines such as speed and crystal methamphetamine (ice), are made and sold illegally. In most cases, it is difficult to determine their quality and purity – they can be a mix of drugs, binding agents, caffeine and sugar.

Long-term use of illegal amphetamines can lead to serious problems, including changes to the brain, cardiovascular damage, malnutrition and anxiety and paranoia.

Types of amphetamines

The appearance of amphetamines varies from powder and tablet to crystals and capsules. The most common amphetamine in Australia is methamphetamine, which comes in three forms:

• ice (crystal methamphetamine) – is a crystal or crystalline powder, and is a stronger form of methamphetamine. It is also known as ‘crystal meth’, ‘shabu’ shard or ‘glass’
• speed – usually comes in the form of a powder
• base – is an oily, sticky or waxy paste.

Amphetamines can be injected, snorted, smoked or swallowed.

It is illegal to make or sell amphetamines. It is also illegal to possess or use amphetamines, unless they have been prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons.

Illegally produced amphetamines can be a mix of drugs, binding agents, caffeine, new psychoactive substances and sugar.

Amphetamine use in Australia

According to the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, meth/amphetamine use has significantly declined since 2001.

In 2019, 1.3% of Australians had used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months.

Among people who use meth/amphetamines, ‘ice’ is the most used form (50% of people who use meth/amphetamine use ‘ice’).

Powder (speed) use continued to decline among people who use meth/amphetamine – from 51% in 2010 to 19.9% in 2019.

Synthetic amphetamines

In recent years, a range of synthetic products, claiming to have similar effects to amphetamines, have also been available in Australia.

It is unclear what the active ingredient in these products is – they may contain various chemicals, such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).

Taking these drugs is risky, they can have more unpredictable effects and can be potentially more harmful than amphetamines.

MDMA (ecstasy)

MDMA (ecstasy) is classified as an empathogen drug. Many pills or capsules sold as MDMA contain only small amounts of MDMA, or sometimes none.

The effects of MDMA can share some similarities with amphetamines – such as feeling energetic and euphoric, and having an increased heart rate.

How amphetamines work

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs, which means they speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Amphetamines increase dopamine and serotonin levels – the feel-good chemicals in the brain.

Effects can be felt immediately (injected or smoked) or within 30 minutes (snorted or swallowed).

Short-term effects of amphetamines

Some of the immediate effects of amphetamines include:

• a burst of energy – feeling alert, talkative, restless and excited
• happiness and confidence
• aggression or anger
• fast heart rate and breathing
• high-blood pressure (hypertension)
• dry mouth, jaw clenching and teeth grinding
• sweating
• dilated (large) pupils
• loss of appetite
• increased heart rate
• increased sex drive (libido)
• nosebleeds and damage to the nasal passage (from snorting).

Injecting amphetamines and sharing needles increases your risk of:

• hepatitis C
• hepatitis B
• HIV/AIDs
• vein damage and blood clots
• infection, such as tetanus.

Amphetamine use can also impair judgement and contribute to accidents and injury (such as motor vehicle crashes).

How long do amphetamine effects last?

Even if the effects of the amphetamines have worn off, there may still be amphetamines in your system.

As a rough guide, methamphetamines can be detected in the blood around 4 to 8 hours after use, and in the urine for around 2 to 5 days after use.

What is binge crashing?

Some people experience a pattern of ‘binge crash’ after amphetamine use. This happens when amphetamines are used continuously for several days without sleep.

When this period ends, the person ‘crashes’, and experiences a period of heavy sleeping.

‘Coming down’ from amphetamines

In the 2 to 4 days after amphetamine use, you may experience:

• restless sleep and exhaustion
• headaches, muscle twitching and aches
• irritability, mood swings, anxiety and depression
• paranoia, hallucinations, confusion
• change in body temperature.

Using other drugs (such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis and opioids) to cope with the ‘come down’ may lead to a cycle of dependence (where someone becomes reliant on all drugs used).

Mixing amphetamine with other drugs can be dangerous

Overdose is often due to taking amphetamines with other drugs – including ‘legal’ over-the counter and prescription medications such as:

• alcohol
• benzodiazepines (including sleeping pills)
• some antidepressants
• cannabis (marijuana)
• opioids (such as heroin).

Symptoms of amphetamine overdose

Amphetamine overdose may occur if you:

• take a strong batch
• use a large amount
• mix amphetamines with other drugs – including over-the-counter and prescription medicines.

A drug overdose is a medical emergency. You can still be in danger even if not all overdose symptoms are present.

Symptoms of amphetamine overdose may include:

• breathing difficulties
• seizures (including fits and uncontrolled jerking)
• chest pain or racing heartbeat
• chills or fever
• no urine output
• extreme agitation – can lead to hostility, aggression and violence
• paranoia, hallucinations or delusions.

Overdose can lead to stroke, heart attack and death. Fast action could save someone’s life.

If you suspect an overdose, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately. Ambulance officers don’t need to involve police.

Long-term effects of amphetamines

Using amphetamines on a regular basis can lead to significant health and lifestyle issues such as:

• ‘amphetamine psychosis’ (including hallucinations and paranoia)
• extreme weight loss and malnutrition
• dry mouth and dental problems
• regular infections (such as colds and flu) – due to reduced immunity
• mood swings, panic attacks, anxiety, depression
• drug dependence – this may include an increase in use or relying on other drugs (such as sedatives) to balance the effects
• out of character behaviour – aggression and violence
• heart and kidney problems
• increased risk of stroke
• increased risk of contracting sexually transmissible infections (STIs) due to unprotected sex
• financial, work, study, legal and relationship problems – including trouble concentrating and reduced performance.

Amphetamine dependence, tolerance and withdrawal

It is possible to build up a tolerance to amphetamines, which means the person using the drug needs to take larger doses to achieve the same effect.

Over time, the body may come to depend on amphetamines just to function normally.

Amphetamine withdrawal

If you have been using amphetamines for a long time, giving up can be a challenge. Your body and mind will need to adjust to functioning without the drug.

If you decide to stop or cut down, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to seek advice from a health professional when planning to stop taking amphetamines.

These usually occur at the start and settle down after a week. Most withdrawal symptoms disappear after a month.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• tiredness
• anxiety, depression and paranoia
• confusion and crankiness
• extreme hunger
• aches and pains
• sleep problems and nightmares.

Some people can experience quite intense symptoms (also known as ‘speed crash’). This can cause nausea, extreme exhaustion, irritability and feeling depressed.

Treatment for amphetamine use

Treatment options for drug use include:

• detoxification
• individual counselling
• group therapy.

Peer support – or talking to someone who has been in the same situation – can also be helpful.

See your doctor for information and referral, or contact an alcohol and drug service (services listed in the ‘where to get help’ section).

Amphetamines and the law

Amphetamine use is restricted in Australia and can only be prescribed by a medical doctor for certain health conditions.

Penalties apply for amphetamines under federal and state laws for anyone who:

• Uses or keeps illegal amphetamines in their possession.
• Makes, supplies or sells amphetamines to another person.
• Drives under the influence of amphetamines.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, call triple zero (000)
• Your GP (doctor)
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) Path2help – resources to assist people looking for ways to support their loved ones who use alcohol and/or other drugs
• DrugInfo Tel. 1300 85 85 84
• DirectLine Tel. 1800 888 236 – for 24-hour confidential drug and alcohol telephone counselling, information and referral
• Family Drug Help Tel. 1300 660 068 – for information and support for people concerned about a relative or friend using drugs
• Counselling Online Tel. 1800 888 236 – free drug and alcohol counselling 24/7
• Kids Helpline Tel. 1800 55 1800
• Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service, Victoria Tel. (03) 9415 8881 (9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday)
• Victoria Legal Aid