Amphetamines are synthetic drugs. Similar to amphetamine type are amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and phenmetrazine. First amphetamines were produced in 1920 and they immediately began to be used in medical practice. These drugs are believed to relieve fatigue and drowsiness, as well as decreased appetite, however, they constant use increases the risk of addiction and almost for sure lead to negative consequences.
Since 1950, in the US drugs of the amphetamine group were appointed as an aid for weight loss and against depression. It was easily accessible, which is why students began to use it as a non-medical stimulant that helped in learning (Blickman 2011). Truck drivers and athletes abused this drug, as it helped them to stay awake and keep fit for long hours. Since the 1960s, the situation began to change significantly. With the advent of affordable methamphetamine, which had to be intravenously administered, addiction started to gain its momentum. In 1970, the US government prohibited the free use of the drug. After that, production and distribution of the drug was under control of the American biker gangs (Blickman 2011). Most amphetamine users were residents of rural areas, for which the cocaine was too expensive. In the 1990s, Mexican drug cartels have begun to create large clandestine laboratories in California (Pinkham and Stone 2015). Simultaneously with the production of over 20 kg of drugs over the weekends, the population massively created small "private" labs in the kitchen and in small apartments. From there, the drug spread across the United States and migrated to Europe through the Czech Republic. Today, this drug available in Asia, as is produced in Thailand, Myanmar and China (Škařupová 2014).
Amphetamine belongs to Schedule 2/2N Substances classification. The substances in this classification spur on addiction and demonstrate an increased potential for abuse, leading to a severe psychological or physical dependence. This schedule contains the following stimulants: amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), and methylphenidate (Ritalin) (Blickman 2011).
After taking amphetamine it rapidly spreads across the whole body, as it is swiftly absorbed in the stomach and intestines. When intravenously administered, amphetamine gets to the brain in seconds ("Trainspotting"). Inhalation of amphetamine also quickly gets it into the bloodstream and then to other organs. Amphetamine is mainly metabolized in the liver, with a following separation into the active derivatives of ephedrine and other inactive substances (Pinkham and Stone 2015). The blood is capable of storing amphetamine over a period of 8 to 12 hours. Repeated intake of amphetamine the next day is able to maintain a constant concentration in the blood, and extend the narcotic effect. Amphetamine is excreted by the kidneys and can therefore be easily detected in the urine analysis (Blickman 2011).
Frequent and constant amphetamine use by Aaliyah will lead to her developing headaches, restlessness, tremors in the hands and feet. Aaliyah is bound to become violent. Panic and paranoia will lead to a loss of sleep and concentration, focus will be low and a visible development of a mental illness will lead to "amphetamine psychosis". This is similar to a manic psychosis. Moreover, in this state, hallucinations and delusions will take over Aaliyah’s brain, to be later replaced by depression (Škařupová 2014). Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weight loss, increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke will be the symptoms following. Redness of the skin, rash and increased sweating, change in libido and decreased potency will mark the last stages of amphetamine addiction. Aaliyah will experience heart pains, rapid pulse, high blood pressure, disruptions in the heart, and for sure will develop acute cardiovascular insufficiency (Škařupová 2014).
After being addicted to amphetamine for quite some time the gastrointestinal tract also suffers: there is an aversion to food, pains in the stomach lead to refusal from eating, rumbling of the bowel, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and significant weight loss (Škařupová 2014). At high doses coma develops, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. Being addicted to amphetamine is extremely dangerous for people with heart diseases (coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, conduction disorders, susceptibility to high blood pressure), glaucoma, hyperthyroidism as heart failure is almost always the case, having a lethal outcome (Pinkham and Stone 2015).
Each problem after being realized will be followed by an attempt at withdrawal. However using amphetamine for a long time leads to the following three stages being manifested (Pinkham and Stone 2015):
"The stroke" (from 9 hours to 4 days) - this phase is characterized by a strong desire to re-take amphetamines to ward off depression, paranoia, psychosis, etc.
Extensive withdrawal (from 1 week to 10 weeks) - this phase is marked by a decrease in the desire to take amphetamine, normalization of sleep and depressed mood or anxiety; in this phase there is little desire to re-take amphetamine, which gradually increases to a maximum;
Eradication (after 10 weeks to 6 months) - the mental state of the person gradually returns to the time before the first dose of amphetamine, but the person may still return to taking amphetamine. It usually happens at parties with friends who take amphetamine, or under the influence of alcohol (Škařupová 2014).
Aaliyah must give up amphetamine use otherwise his health is in grave danger and his physical and mental state will most likely be impaired.
References
Blickman, T. (2011). Amphetamine Type Stimulants and Harm Reduction. Transnational Institute Drug Policy Briefing Nr. 37.
Pinkham S. and K. Stone. (2015). A Global Review of the Harm Reduction Response to Amphetamines: A 2015 Update. Harm Reduction International.
Škařupová K. (2014). The levels of use of opioids, amphetamines and cocaine and associated levels of harm: summary of scientific evidence. EMCDDA.
