Possible Long Term Effects fatal kidney and lung disorders possible brain damage permanent psychological problems lowered resistance to illnesses liver damage stroke Addiction and Withdrawal Users of large amount of amphetamines over a long period of time can develop an amphetamine psychosis, which is a mental disorder similar to paranoid schizophrenia. The psychosis is manifested by hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Bizarre, sometime violent, behavior is exhibited by those with amphetamine psychosis. Symptoms usually disappear within a few weeks after drug use stops. Withdrawal Symptoms Amphetamines have the potential to produce tolerance, which means that increased amounts of the drug are needed to achieve the desired effects.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur when use of amphetamines is stopped abruptly.
The length and severity of the depression is related to how much and how often amphetamines were used. These affect serotonin, the neurotransmitter in the brain that deals with both depression and drug craving. Sedatives such as Dalmane, chloral hydrate, Librium, phenobarbital, or even Valium are used, very carefully, on a short-term basis to treat anxiety or sleep disturbance problems. Antipsychotic medications such as Haldol, Thorazine , and others are also used to buffer the effects of unbalanced dopamine, the neurotransmitter that moderates paranoia and pleasurable sensation. In addition to treating the physical and psychological aspects of craving, treatment providers should stress group counseling and peer pressure for compulsive amphetamine users, as these forms of therapy work well for this population.