Amphetamines

Harm Reduction

  • Injecting amphetamine is compulsive and even within the drug sub-culture, amphetamine injectors are often viewed with some suspicion and caution.
  • The drug is usually low purity and if injected should be filtered carefully.
  • The use of stimulant drugs has become very popular since the advent of ‘rave/club’ culture’, be aware of the risk of using a range of stimulant drugs at the same time as the drug can put the heart under significant stress.
  • Be aware of the temptation, to use benzodiazepines and anxiolytics to come down from the ‘jag’, the effects of the drug wearing off. While this may have some benefits there are legal and dependence issues to consider. The come down will pass without using more drugs.
  • Be aware of the importance of nutrition and hydration, as amphetamines are appetite suppressants and all stimulants cause the body to over heat and sweat.
  • Many heavy speed users grind or ‘gurn’ their teeth and jaws. It's a bit of a give away and will damage tooth enamel. Amphetamine also causes pupil dilation which is sometimes very obvious.
  • Dose levels between pharmaceutical amphetamines and ‘street’ formulations can be difficult to work out. If you are concerned, take a small amount and increase allowing time for the body to metabolise. With injecting this is instantaneous, with snorting 5 minutes and ‘bombing’ or tablets will start to take effect after 20 minutes.
  • Do not mix speed with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as they inhibit naturally occurring enzymes in the body, if you are on any medication check that it’s not a MAOI. Some users do not like to mix amphetamines with hallucinogenic, others do. Be aware that you may be overloading your perception apparatus and potentially prolonging a ‘bad trip.’