Amphetamine Addiction: How to Deal With Cases of
Amphetamine Poisoning
The various types of amphetamines are all synthetic stimulants. Included here are Dexedrine, Benzedrine, and Methedrine. At one time, these drugs were often prescribed to reduce appetite and weight and to combat fatigue and depression. Today, amphetamines are used mostly to treat hyperactivity in children and the sleep disorder known as narcolepsy.
Amphetamine is related to such other potent drugs as dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine, which are classified as psychostimulant drugs; they act by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Such action can induce euphoria in the user.
Amphetamines are commonly involved in drug addiction under such street names as "speed" or "pep pills." They can cause loss of appetite, faster pulse, and unnecessary excitement.
Their long-term hazards include tolerance, psychological dependence, and paranoia.
Withdrawal symptoms include disorientation, severe depression, irritability, nervous exhaustion, apathy, and violent behavior that can lead to suicidal tendencies. Overdosage of the drugs can cause other more serious symptoms, such as convulsions, strokes, coma, and possible death.
There is a series of steps that should be followed when dealing with a victim of amphetamine poisoning. The first is by diluting the drug (which by then has become poison) in the victim's stomach by having him drink milk. The next is by emptying his stomach by inducing vomiting. And the last is by giving him activated charcoal to absorb the poison that remains in his stomach.
Procedure for inducing vomiting:
* Have the patient take the proper dose of syrup of ipecacuanha (an emetic and expectorant drug); 30 milliliters for an adult and half of that dose for a child.
* Follow this by two glasses of milk or water (more if needed).
* If the patient does not vomit within fifteen minutes, the person providing first aid should insert his finger and gently tickle the back of the patient's throat.
It is important to induce vomiting even if several hours had already passed since the amphetamine poisoning became apparent. While vomiting is being induced, the patient should not be in a reclining position to prevent choking.
Use of activated charcoal as a decontaminant:
After successfully inducing vomiting, activated charcoal should be administered to absorb what remains of the "poison." Stir