Amphetamines - Powerful central nervous system stimulant drugs - Similar in many ways to cocaine - Used recreationally and therapeutically - Synthetic Therapeutic Use - Treat ADHD - Drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin are used to improve ADHD symptoms - Helps to improve focus and decrease hyperactivity - Also used to treat - Narcolepsy - Morbid obesity Illicit Use - Amphetamines produced for medical use are diverted - Amphetamines are produced for recreational use - Two forms of amphetamine - D-amphetamine - Greater euphoric effects - Used to treat ADHD - I-amphetamine - Greater cardiovascular effects - Racemic mixture contains both D and I-amphetamine - Methamphetamine - Structurally like amphetamine but more potent - Produces intense high and intense crash - Two stereoisomers - D-methamphetamine - More potent dopamine releaser - More common on the street - I-methamphetamine - Powder/pill form and crystal form - Cathinone’s (Bath Salts) - Synthetic amphetamine like chemicals - Ingredients occur in nature in the leaves of the Khat plant - Chewing leaves is mildly stimulating and not dangerous - Designer drugs - Often snorted - Cause health problems, toxicity, and erratic behavior Routes of Administration - Oral - Pills or capsules - Slow onset, greater duration of effect, less intensity - Intranasal - Snorted in powder form - Sometimes pills are crushed and snorted - Inhalation - Crystal meth when smoked is rapidly absorbed - Intense “high” - Injection - Dissolved in water or alcohol - High rates of abuse and dependence and health problems - Intense “high” Acute Effects - Therapeutic outcomes of ADHD treatment - Effects observed within 30-60 minutes - Duration of 4-6 hours - Increased ability to pay attention, stay focused, control behavior - Effects seem paradoxical - Research suggests that brain areas associated with attention may be underactive With ADHD - Illicit Use - Diverted prescription medication produces same effects as therapeutic - Increases attention and focus - Increased self-control - Also have health risks - High dose recreational use - Increase endurance, arousal, alertness - Impairments in accuracy - Poor self-control - Repetitive behaviors - Increased motor activity Amphetamines vs. Cocaine - Very similar in many ways - Differences - Methamphetamine has a longer duration of action - Methamphetamine more likely to cause stimulant psychosis - Cocaine comes from a plant - Cocaine induces seizures - Cocaine is a local anesthetic Chronic Effects - Therapeutic use - Research addressing concern over long term effects of ADHD medications - Beneficial effects - Better grades - Better peer and family relationships - Better driving - Adverse effects - Weight loss - Growth restriction - Drug holidays used to dimmish adverse effects