Are amphetamines addictive?

[lolly]

is amphetimine addictive?? according 2 medical professinals it is NOT!!! swim happns 2 disagree with this from present personal experience or perhaps swim is jst a weak person? wot do u guys think.

[Nature Boy]

Amphetamine is addictive, perhaps not in the definition way that alcohol, nicotine or opiates are, but don't fool yourself into thinking one can take amphetamine constantly without reprecutions.

[vinylmesh]

As with any reward system drug. If you take it orally in social situations only (i.e never alone and never daily) it should not be very addictive. However if you use it daily, or if you take it by any other way besides orally, then it is easier to become addicted.

[humdroid]

Ex-base-head from the UK says not only is amphetamine addictive, but it is still in his head, and he stopped doing it.

Ex-base head knows patience is involved, after stopping taking amphetamines regularly, but he warns anyone who dosen't already know- Be prepared for lots of time when you cant be bothered doing anything, and your mind goes blank when you try.

From this, it seems, one addictive element of speed, is waiting this period out, until you get back to normal, without falling to it.

[fiveleggedrat]

Swim personally finds amphetamines far more addictive than any other type of drug. However, not limited to just amphetamines, but euphoric stimulants in general. After playing with quite a few, Swim has fiended far more on euphoric stims than anything else, including high dose opioids a la the morphine type. Swim also has a very nonaddictive personality, at least physically.

Has much to do with the person in question too.

[dyingtomorrow]

Does getting off meth feel as bad as heroin? SWIM always wondered which was worse, heroin or meth. Seems like meth burns people out hardcore and quickly, whereas heroin leaves you slowly suffering and lingering much longer.

[cra$h]

amphetamines are the most addictive drug swim's ever encountered. Since swim's always going against the grain of socaity, amphetamines help him go to autopilot and just do as all americans "are supposed to''

[elmira]

I have heard that amphetamines are highly addictive in my opinion. One of my friend has got used to having it and now he is not able to live without it. He does not know how to get out of it. If anyone knows the rehab process please let me know

[~lostgurl~]

You may find some answers in these threads, depending on what you mean by the rehab process:

Helping a loved one: intervention techniques.
Addiction treatment options
Basics of kicking the habit.
Tools for recovering from (meth)amphetamine addiction

[some_random_guy]

Yes, they are addictive. Once you truly get into them they will haunt you forever. You can live a good life without them but they will always be at the very back of your mind, hitting you with thoughts like, "If I was tweaked right now this would be awesome" etc.

My advice, DON'T!!!! It's not something you need.

[Richard_smoker]

this question has been debated over and over in the medical community (u.s.) and there's currently a split in thinking.

There are those of the traditional belief that YES, amphetamines are addictive. These MD's tend to disregard more recent studies.

Then there are the "new-age" MD's who tend to lean toward belief in ADD/ADHD as a real phenomenon and amphetamines like dexedrine, adderall, and to lesser-degree ritalin as completely within the usual course of medical practice. Most of these MD's are of the opinion (from experimental & clinical data) that these drugs (probably does NOT include methamphetamine) are NOT ADDICTIVE in the usual sense--that is, if they are taken according to a prescriber regiment, followed by a medical professional, and the meds are taken orally (NOT snorted, NOT IV'd), and as long as the drugs are NOT used in a manner that causes the user to avoid sleep or prevent normal sleep patterns.

this is controversial, and i know that there is disagreement among professionals. i acknowledge this, and have provided both sides. -DICK

[100mg Methylphenidate]

Swim has had IV morphine, snorted oxycontin, tons of cigarettes and alcohol, a 2 year long daily marijuana habit, and nothing at all, has compared to the psychological need he feels for amphetamines. He has yet to try cocaine though, but it doesn't even sound appealing after trying speed. Ooooooooo. He could have a numb face for maybe an hour and have to do another line. Or he can pop/snort some speed and stay up all night and redose at least a few hours later, saving his nose a lot of trouble.

It's hard to give up something that makes you productive. And the comedown is extremely horrible from what he hears.

Although, swim says he'd rather withdrawal from amphetamines than nicotine or opiates(not that he's withdrawn from opiates). But he does fiend cigarettes majorly when coming off speed. And the psychological addiction to amphetamines is MUCH greater than to any of these other drugs. But he really does have ADHD...

[Richard_smoker]

Originally Posted by 100mg Methylphenidate

he really does have ADHD...

yes. it would appear that he does.

-DICK

[herostyle]

From SWIM's personal experience, he would only get addicted to amphetamines for a day or two. And then addiction wasn't serious. It was fairly easy for him to go cold turkey on amphetamines, even after bumping maybe 40 mg of Focalin XR a day for roughly 2 years.

[cra$h]

thats where it gets you though. You go on a speed binge at first for a day or 2, then you take a break, then the next time its 3-5 days, then 5 to a week, then it becomes a routine. And the comedown is terrible! Stomache aches, headaches, turns you unsociable, and possibly the worst part is all you want is sleep, and it just ain't gon' happen.

[tryptamaster]

yea wen swim pakeing on amps, u feel like a million bucks. once ur off u feel like u jsut dropped a million bucks in the storam drain... swim always says "ill never take these damn things again..." but so far swim ahs always gone back jsut to remind himself y he hates upper.

[Burnt]

Then there are the "new-age" MD's who tend to lean toward belief in ADD/ADHD as a real phenomenon and amphetamines like dexedrine, adderall, and to lesser-degree ritalin as completely within the usual course of medical practice. Most of these MD's are of the opinion (from experimental & clinical data) that these drugs (probably does NOT include methamphetamine) are NOT ADDICTIVE in the usual sense--that is, if they are taken according to a prescriber regiment, followed by a medical professional, and the meds are taken orally (NOT snorted, NOT IV'd), and as long as the drugs are NOT used in a manner that causes the user to avoid sleep or prevent normal sleep patterns.

They are liars (or more rightly so ignorant MD's who don't know shit) and that is total bullshit. All amphetamines are addictive.

Its another excuse by the legal drug dealers to make them seem legit.

[Herbal Healer 019]

they are, if you have a lack of self discipline, which I would define addiction as; not as being "disease".

Doing amphetamines in moderation & at reasonable doses will not lead to addiction.

[~lostgurl~]

Amphetamines have much more addiction potential when smoked or injected compared with being taken orally: http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/sho...09&postcount=9

[Richard_smoker]

Originally Posted by Burnt

They are liars (or more rightly so ignorant MD's who don't know shit) and that is total bullshit. All amphetamines are addictive.

Its another excuse by the legal drug dealers to make them seem legit.

I can certainly see where you (or anyone) could think this.

but there is actually evidence based on user pattern-behavior that shows a DEFINITELY DIFFERENT "normal-abuse/escalation of dose pattern" in someone taking, for example, OPIATES (painkillers, heroin) and someone taking ORAL Amphetamine or adderall or ritalin.

Now, that's not to say that there are CERTAINLY people who are addicted to amphetamines. and also that dr's are just as much to blame as any other enablers. you got me there.

But, as lostgurl points out, there is a SIGNIFICANT difference in taking ORAL amphetamine and snorting/iv'ing amps or taking METH.

Cra$h is also correct, but these 3-5 day binges that grow increasingly longer are more TYPICAL with meth...although not impossible with oral amps.

-DICK

[klonopinz]

Swiy should rather ask the question: Is swiy easily addicted to amphetamines, or uppers in general?

Swim's personal experience with amphetamines makes him think of this particular group of drugs, not as addictive, but as specially sensitive chemical to a specific group inside general population. Swim and his close group of friends remember guessing which of our school acquaintances would heavily depend on it by the end of the semester.

Swim recalls that, although some friends went of binges for days on end (recreational, iv & in), they could just stop and not do it for a month, but some other friends couldn't even have coherent conversations unless Ritalin or Dexedrine was taken (therapeutic), and 35 minutes or so have passed to allow ingestion.

Reputation Comments on this post:

nice contribution. EXCELLENT opinion, and well-stated. I agree whole-heartedly, and perhaps I should have said it the ...

[humdroid]

Originally Posted by fiveleggedrat

Swim personally finds amphetamines far more addictive than any other type of drug. However, not limited to just amphetamines, but euphoric stimulants in general. After playing with quite a few, Swim has fiended far more on euphoric stims than anything else, including high dose opioids a la the morphine type. Swim also has a very nonaddictive personality, at least physically.

Has much to do with the person in question too.

Y had only very limited with opies, kratom and coedine.
Like your waterborne friend, Y thinks some people can pick up stims and put them down, whereas others, find it very hard to put them down.
OK they may have a few days rest, but then they are back on it, like a cycle. That is, unless depression jumps in between. Y thinks speed pisses him off when he is depressed, but at the same time wants it.
Good job there is none, and that y cannot buy if there was anyway.

[jord4n007]

Well, addiction is not a medical term. Technically, the AMA does not recognize the existence of "addiction."

The real terminology is dependence or compulsion.

Opiates and alcohol are prime example of drugs which can cause dependence - basically abrupt abstaining causes systems of the body to fail because these systems have adapted to the presence of said drugs and cannot function properly without them. These are the prime examples because they cause easily visible, physical, often life threatening withdrawals.

Compulsion is basically when the use of a substance (or playing video games, or having sex, or masturbating, etc.) becomes such a central focus of one's life that the person will choose the "compulsion" over other things in life that may need to be done (go to work, pay bills, hygiene, etc) and or over things the person may have previously enjoyed. The person should also experience depression, apathy, and other negative changes in mood whenever distanced from the compulsion. The thing about a compulsion is that its defined as being entirely psychological, "all in the head."

Amphetamines are a sort of gray area. They are absolutely without questions compulsive. The question is do they cause dependency? Do they truly cause tolerance? The immediate response from users is YES, but research shows that it isn't truly tolerance, because if the person takes the time to fully comedown, it does not take a larger dose to become high again the next day. As far as dependency, it is arguable that the brain may become accustomed to elevated dopamine levels, but natural dopamine production is not halted as is the case with endorphin production caused by opiate use.

As far as medical research has proven thus far, amphetamines do not cause dependency. They are not on the level of alcohol or opiates as far as causing a physical crippling bodily need.

However, based on my personal experience, amphetamines are the most psychologically compulsive substance on earth. SWIM feel it is because of the way they seem to boost my abilities and enhance my thinking. SWIM have been a user of amphetamine and methamphetamine for 4 years. SWIM have had a 3 month break between the 3rd and 4th year. The first week was fairly crippling when SWIM stopped using, but after that SWIM experience no severe issues. What SWIM did experience was a feeling in the back of my mind that SWIM wasn't as "good" as SWIM was on amphetamines. As in SWIM wasn't as good a worker, SWIM wasn't as smart, SWIM wasn't as productive, SWIM wasn't as fun, etc. Everything SWIM did SWIM always thought, SWIM could have done this better or faster if SWIM was on speed. This feeling stuck with me for the entire 3 months of sobriety. SWIM eventually said fuck it. SWIM'm now back on speed. Sure, SWIM dislike the end of a binge, and SWIM have the tendency of being an asshole a lot of the time, but SWIM am efficient and effective. The expense sucks, but the amount of hours SWIM can work makes up for it.

For me, it is best explained by this phrase "When SWIM am sober, SWIM fear God, SWIM am weak and incomplete. When SWIM am on amphetamines, SWIM am God, SWIM write my own destiny and SWIM am in control." Regardless of if amphetamines are "physically addictive" (cause dependence), once you experience and being to harness the power they provide, there is no going back unless you are willing to live at your "second best."

[100mg Methylphenidate]

To note...from swim's personal experience. He doesn't ever feel quite normal for at least a few days after a speed binge. Even then, he doesn't feel like he functions the same without it. This can last for months. To swim, 20-40mg orally with no tolerance isn't really euphoric anymore, it's just normality.

[~lostgurl~]

Originally Posted by jord4n007

but natural dopamine production is not halted as is the case with endorphin production caused by opiate use.

Great post, just wondering if you have a source for the information above? This girl I know developed Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) after long term methamphetamine use, and the general consensus is that the cause of RLS is due to irregular or deficient dopamine levels.