#speed
/Amphetamines
!b i! 'Speed'
!n! White or brown powder. May be in tablet or capsule form. Taken by mouth in tablet form, or as a powder, sniffed, smoked or dissolved in water & injected.


SHORT-TERM USE: Breathing & heart rate increase, {pupils} widen & appetite lessens. Initially, user feels more energetic, confident & cheerful. Later, feelings turn to {anxiety}, irritability & restlessness. High doses can produce {hallucinations}, {delirium}, panic & {paranoia}. Effects of 1 dose last 3-4hrs & leave user feeling tired. It can take a few days for the body to fully recover.


LONG-TERM USE: Risk psychological dependence. Regular user takes increasing dose to maintain effects. Heavy use debilitates through lack of food & sleep & lowers resistance to disease, & risks damaged {blood vessels} or {heart} failure. Withdrawal effects include {lethargy}, extreme hunger & {depression}. Short term effects of high doses (delusions & {paranoia}), may cause {psychotic} state.