Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) refer to a group of illicit drugs whose principal members include amphetamine and methamphetamine. Amphetamine type stimulants encompass some of the most common, well known and used illicit drugs, including MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’, Speed and Base, Ice and Methamphetamine. They are synthetic drugs meaning they are not natural and created by processing chemical ingredients. However, a range of other substances also falls into this illicit drugs group, such as methcathinone, fenetylline, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylphenidate and an amphetamine-type derivative with hallucinogenic properties.

The different types of illicit drugs - amphetamine-type stimulants

• different coloured powders 
• Capsules of various colors 
• Ice comes in sheet like crystals or crystalline powder

Illicit drugs - Amphetamine-type stimulants street names

Amphetamine-type stimulants have several street names, including:

• Amphetamine: Speed, whiz, uppers, goey, louee
• Dexamphetamine:(ADHD medication used illicitly) Kidi-speed, whiz, uppers, dexies, pep pills
• Phentermine:(Illegally imported weight loss medication used illicitly) Adipex-p or fastin
• Methylamphetamine (solid): Meth, speed, whiz, fast, uppers, goey, louee, rabbit, tail, pep pills, base, pure, point or wax.
• Methylamphetamine (liquid): Leopard’s blood, ox blood, red speed or liquid red
• Crystal Methylamphetamine: Ice, meth, d-meth, glass, crystal, batu, shabu (from the Philippines)
• Paramethoxyamphetamine: Death, PMA, PMMA (often mixed with or marketed as ecstasy, all are known to be fatal)

The growth in the use of illicit drugs -  amphetamine-type stimulants

The use of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) is a global and growing phenomenon and in recent years, there has been a pronounced increase in the production and use of ATS worldwide. Over the past decade, abuse of ATS has infiltrated its way into the mainstream culture in certain countries. Younger people in particular seem to possess a skewed sense of safety about the substances believing rather erroneously that the substances are safe and benign. Meanwhile, ATS are posing a serious threat to the health, social and economic fabric of families, communities and nations.

For many countries, the problem of ATS is relatively new, growing quickly and unlikely to go away. The geographical spread is widening, but awareness of it is limited and responses are neither integrated nor consistent. Recent data has shown a decline in ATS use in the regions of the Americas and Europe, while the highest levels of illicit drug abuse worldwide have emerged in East Asia and Oceania. According to a review of ATS by UNDCP in 1996, there are about 20 countries in which the abuse of ATS is more widespread than that of heroin and cocaine combined. Japan, Korea and the Philippines all register 5-7 times the rate of ATS use compared with heroin and cocaine use.

How illicit drugs –  amphetamine-type stimulants are taken

Smoking, sniffing and inhaling are the most popular methods of ATS use, but ways to take the drug vary widely across the region. In countries like Australia, where over 90 per cent of those who report using ATS (mostly methamphetamine) inject, the drug represents a significant risk factor in the transmission of blood-borne viruses. The Philippines and Viet Nam are also reporting signs that injecting methamphetamine is increasing while in Thailand, the number of methamphetamine users now represents the majority of all new drug treatment cases.

There are currently very limited data to indicate what proportion of current users are dependent. Researchers have pointed out that it is likely that dependence and chronic usage is associated with methamphetamine psychosis and related adverse consequences and that the high rates of usage are dramatically escalating levels of presentation of methamphetamine psychosis to mental health services.

In short, the present situation warrants immediate attention, with a major epidemic of methamphetamine use in Thailand that appears to be spreading across the entire Asia Pacific region. Researchers have stressed an urgent need to map out this epidemic to assess the spread and scale of the problems, consequences and responses.

Why illicit drugs –  amphetamine-type stimulants are taken and their effects

Amphetamines have the potential to make people feel energetic, confident with a high sense of positive feelings like love, happiness and gratitude. These drugs are often used by those who want to dance and party all night. The user experience the some or all of the following:

• Dilated pupils
• Faster breathing
• Sweating
• Higher blood pressure
• Reduced appetite
• Increased heart rate – heart palpitations
• Panic attacks
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Dry mouth

The effect  of amphetamine-type stimulants on the user’s health

• Sleeping disorders, such as insomnia
• Anxiety – depression
• Mental issues – paranoia, high blood pressure, aggression
• Irregular heart beat
• Malnutrition

In some cases, overdose may result in one or more of the following:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Coma
• Seizure
• Death

Related articles

1. The 7 myths about drug addic­tion
2. Can­nabis — Marijuana Addic­tion
3. Defin­ing Alco­hol Mis­use Prob­lem
4. How to assess alco­hol mis­use
5. Med­ical and psy­cho­lo­gical treat­ment for alco­hol depend­ency
6. Using res­id­en­tial treat­ment to fight alco­hol addic­tion

You have permission to reprint what you just read. The only requirement is including the following footer with it…
”Article by allvitalpoints.com, visit http://www.allvitalpoints.com for more original content like this. Reprint permission granted with this footer included.”

Related posts:

1. Alcohol Misuse Screening Tests
2. Eating disorders
3. Professor Sube Banerjee warns NHS on Dementia drugs
4. The 7 myths about drug addiction