Amphetamine and Related Drugs
Amphetamine and Related Drugs
Amphetamine and Related Drugs
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
The effects of amphetamines, especially methamphetamine,<br />
are similar to cocaine, but their onset is slower <strong>and</strong> their<br />
duration is longer. In contrast to cocaine, which is quickly<br />
removed from the brain <strong>and</strong> is almost completely metabolized,<br />
methamphetamine remains in the central nervous system<br />
longer, <strong>and</strong> a larger percentage of the drug remains unchanged<br />
in the body, producing prolonged stimulant effects. Chronic<br />
abuse produces a psychosis (severe mental disorder), picking<br />
at the skin, <strong>and</strong> visual hallucinations. These psychotic<br />
symptoms can persist for months <strong>and</strong> even years after use of<br />
these drugs has ceased <strong>and</strong> may be related to their neurotoxic<br />
effects. Violent <strong>and</strong> erratic behavior is frequently seen among<br />
chronic abusers of amphetamines, especially<br />
methamphetamine.<br />
4/27/2009 ٢١