Amphetamine Use Disorder

A disorder that is characterized by misuse of drugs that act as central nervous system stimulants and can cause clinically and functionally significant impairment such as physical and mental health problems, disability and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school or home. Amphetamines are used medicinally in the treatment of minimal brain dysfunction, narcolepsy and obesity; and are taken illicitly for a variety of reasons including the euphoria and sense of alertness they produce and their effectiveness in combating fatigue and helping the person stay awake for extended periods of time. Negative side effects of amphetamine use range in severity from irritability, fatigue and depression to malnutrition, skin disorders, brain and liver damage, drastic weight loss, susceptibility to life-threatening infections, schizophrenia-type delusions and occasionally, with intravenous use, collapse and death. Amphetamines most frequently used include Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Dexamyl, Methedrine and Methamphetamine (speed, crystal meth).