Then & Now: Past & Present Use of Amphetamines

According to a 2003 United Nations report, about 34 million people around the world use or abuse amphetamine-type stimulants. Despite the potential for very serious and negative short- and long-term side effects, amphetamines have been extremely popular with various demographic groups throughout history, even now being second only to marijuana in terms of regular use.

What are amphetamines?

What is the difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine?

Amphetamines resemble substances that occur in nature, but amphetamines are man-made. Derived from phenyl ethylamine, which is found in various foods and is easily processed by the liver, amphetamines have a modified chemical structure. This modification changes how the body processes the substance, allowing amphetamines to remain in the body longer, thereby producing different, prolonged effects in a user. Another altered form of this substance produces methamphetamine.

In medicine, amphetamines have been used to treat a range of diseases and disorders including asthma, narcolepsy, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, and others. Amphetamines are reported to increase alertness and enhance performance, which often leads to abuse in individuals who are in stressful careers or other situations that require long periods of focus.

For more information on amphetamines, visit our amphetamine page.

How long have these substances been used and abused?

In the late 1880s, the first amphetamine was created (remember, these are man-made substances). However, the full extent of the effects of amphetamine were not explored until the late 1920s when a British scientist began testing them on animals as well as on himself. Further studies were done in the decades that followed, resulting in numerous publications. In particular, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1937 attributed amphetamines with the ability to give a user “pep.” This casual word choice gave these “pep pills” an alluring quality without conveying the potential for negative consequences, which made them attractive to anyone seeking a quick “pick me up.”

During World War II, amphetamines were used by the military to keep soldiers alert during battle. Methamphetamine, specifically, was abused in Japan following the war; this widespread social problem ultimately resulted in stricter government regulations, which were successful in reducing its prevalence for a few decades. In the U.S., students, business men, truck drivers, and athletes quickly joined the ranks of abusers and addicts. Even celebrities like Judy Garland struggled with amphetamine abuse problems. The U.S. government responded with awareness, prevention, and other programs, which helped to decrease the problem of amphetamine abuse, but also opened the door to increased problems with cocaine abuse.

Do all people who use amphetamines become addicted?

No. Many individuals use amphetamines for medical reasons, to enhance sports performance, or recreationally (though not necessarily legally) without developing an addiction. But, on the other hand, a good number of individuals do find themselves trapped in devastating addictions that are difficult to escape from.

Addiction is determined by tolerance (the need to have greater doses of a substance more frequently in order to achieve the same effect) and dependence, which can be either physical or psychological - or both. While it is possible to develop an addiction by administering amphetamine orally, a greater number of those who have become addicted to amphetamines smoke or inject the substance.

What is the current state of amphetamine use in the U.S.?

Amphetamines and their various derivatives are still popular in club scenes. Attendees will use these substances to help them stay awake to enjoy raves and dance concerts that last into the early hours of the morning. By producing positive feelings in the user, amphetamines can increase a user’s self-confidence and perceived connections with others, making them feel more comfortable in social environments.

Methamphetamine is also becoming increasingly popular in the community of gay males who refer to the substance as “Tina”. By increasing sexual desire and decreasing inhibitions, methamphetamine abuse leads to high-risk sexual behaviors that can increase the chances of HIV/AIDS transmission in this group. Further research is still necessary in this area.

In all cases, use of amphetamine-like substances is risky. Abuse can quickly lead to addictions. Both long- and short-term consequences are negative, and there are many indirect side effects, like the above-mentioned sexual risk-taking behaviors, that can result from its abuse. Withdrawal from amphetamines can disrupt natural sleep cycles as well as create feelings of anxiety, depression, and/or paranoia in a user. If you or someone you know is attempting to stop using amphetamines, call eDrug Rehab today to discuss your situation with one of our specialists.