Treatment is more effective if tailored to suit a person's specific situation and usually involves a combination of methods. More on treatment Amphetamines and other drugs Taking other drugs as a way of coping with some of the undesirable effects of amphetamines can result in a 'roller coaster' dependence on several drugs. For example, some people need amphetamines each day to get them going and benzodiazepines each night to get them to sleep. This type of dependence can lead to a variety of serious physical and psychological problems. Pregnancy and breastfeeding Pregnancy Using amphetamines during pregnancy can affect the baby's development before birth and has been linked with bleeding, early labour and miscarriage.
Amphetamines also cause the heart rate of mother and baby to increase.
With the baby getting less oxygen, it may be smaller at birth and grow more slowly. If amphetamines are used close to the birth, the baby may be born directly affected, and may be over-active and agitated. Babies of mothers who regularly use may also experience withdrawal symptoms in the first few weeks after birth. It is not yet known whether the children of mothers who used amphetamines during their pregnancy experience long-term problems in mental or physical growth, but initial studies give some cause for concern. Breastfeeding Not much is known about the effects of amphetamines on the mother during breastfeeding.