Amphetamine vs. Methamphetamine: Differences, Side Effects, & Treatment

Understanding Amphetamine vs. Methamphetamines

What Is an Amphetamine?

Amphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant that helps increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. They are prescription medicines that are used to treat conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy.

What Are Common Brand or Slang Names for Amphetamines?

Amphetamines are prescription drugs for mental health issues such as ADHD but are also available as illicit substances. Amphetamine brands available for medical uses include:

• Vyvanse
• Adderall
• Dexedrine

The slang names for amphetamines are as follows:

• Uppers
• Speed
• Bennies
• Black beauties

What Drugs Are Similar to Amphetamines?

Drugs similar to amphetamines are central nervous system stimulants that increase alertness and energy by boosting brain dopamine and norepinephrine levels. Substances that mimic amphetamines include:

• Methylphenidates
• Dexmethylphenidate
• Lisdexamfetamine

Other drugs that have a similar chemical structure to amphetamines but are not always meant for medical use include:

• Methamphetamine
• MDMA
• Cathinones
• Phentermine

What Is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a central nervous system stimulant that works to accelerate body functions. It is a synthetic chemical that significantly increases the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. 

What Street Names Are Used for Meth?

Meth has over 200 street names that signify the drug’s purity and appearance. Common street drug names for meth include:

• Crystal
• Ice
• Speed
• Crank
• Chalk
• Poor man’s coke
• Tina

How Do People Use Meth?

Meth can be used in various ways, depending on personal preferences. 

Ways of using meth can include:

• Swallowing the pills is probably the slowest-acting path; most people use other drugs in conjunction to increase the potency, which can lead to bad reactions or overdose
• Smoking meth is the fastest way to get a high, as the drug enters the bloodstream immediately 
• Snorting 
• Injecting meth has become the most popular way, as it gives an intense rush

How Is Meth Different From Prescription Amphetamines?

Meth contains an extra methyl group compared to prescription amphetamines.

The difference in structure allows the drug to cross the blood-brain barrier faster, making it more potent. It is neurotoxic and can lead to methamphetamine addiction and overdose. 

How These Drugs Affect the Brain 

How Do Stimulants Affect the Brain?

Stimulant drugs boost levels of specific neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in the brain. 

The following manifest the changes that happen in the brain when stimulants are used:

• A rapid and sustained surge of dopamine activates the brain’s pleasure and reward circuit.
• Increased norepinephrine triggers alertness, arousal, and the fight-or-flight response.
• These drugs block the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals, leaving them circulating longer in the synaptic cleft.
• Monoamine transporters are forced to run in reverse, pushing even more dopamine out into the brain.

Can Stimulants Damage the Brain Long Term?

Yes, stimulant use may cause significant damage to the brain over the long term. 

Prescription stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall, at therapeutic doses, are generally considered safe. However, recreational use of stimulants has a high potential to cause persistent and damaging changes to the brain structure and chemistry. 

What Happens to Dopamine and Norepinephrine With Use?

Stimulant use may cause a massive surge of dopamine and norepinephrine, causing a temporary high. Over time, the brain adapts by reducing receptors and natural production, causing tolerance, cravings, and emotional flattening. 

Short-term substance use causes a surge; the brain releases abnormally high levels of dopamine, which is associated with reward and motivation, and norepinephrine, the “fight-or-flight” hormone that boosts alertness. This surge drives intense focus, euphoria, and high energy.

Long-term effects manifest as the brain adapts through a process called downregulation. It reduces the number of active receptors for these neurotransmitters. The person needs more of the substance to achieve the same effect, leading to tolerance. 

Over time, the brain’s supply of these neurotransmitters cannot keep up with the constant demand. This depletion leads to a “crash,” leading to a vicious cycle of dependence.

If your loved one is going through stimulant addiction, seek help from a reputable facility like Exclusive Hawaii Rehab.

Short-Term Side Effects of Amphetamine vs. Methamphetamine

Amphetamine and methamphetamine are both central nervous system stimulants. The key differences in short-term effects are as follows:

• Potency: Amphetamines trigger a much less potent surge of neurotransmitters in the brain compared to methamphetamine.
• The intoxication duration of amphetamines is usually 4-6 hours, while a ‘high’ from meth can last 6-24 hours.
• Amphetamines may cause cardiovascular events at high doses, but meth can trigger extreme paranoia, hallucinations, aggressive behavioral swings, and dangerous hyperthermia.

Drug abuse can affect the quality of life. It’s important to seek professional treatment options.

What Immediate Effects Should I Expect From Amphetamines vs. Meth?

Both amphetamines and meth create a highly energetic high, but the physiology and chemical differences create distinctly different experiences. 

Amphetamines, taken orally, provide a smooth and gradual increase in focus, energy, and alertness. The individual gains peak effects in 1-3 hours. Meth is generally smoked or injected, creating an immediate and overwhelming wave of intense pleasure, also called the ‘rush.’

The stimulant effects of amphetamines last 4-8 hours before tapering off gradually. However, a meth high lingers for 8-24 hours, and a depletion or crash follows. 

What Short-Term Symptoms Are Most Common, Including Increased Heart Rate and High Blood Pressure?

The most common short-term symptoms that arise due to drug use can be dangerous and lead to addiction.

The symptoms can be classified as physical and behavioral.

 Physiological symptoms manifest as follows:

• Elevated heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Sharp rise in core body temperature, known as hyperthermia
• Flushed skin and excessive sweating
• Increased respiration rate and shortness of breath
• Significant decrease in appetite, leading to rapid weight loss

Behavioral symptoms manifest in this fashion:

• Hyperactivity
• Insomnia
• A feeling of euphoria and well-being
• Anxiety, aggression, irritability, panic, paranoia,  and erratic behavior

Can Short-Term Use Cause Psychosis, Overheating, or Heart Emergencies?

Yes. Short-term meth use can trigger acute psychosis, dangerous overheating, and sudden heart emergencies, even in otherwise healthy individuals. 

Long-Term Side Effects of Amphetamine vs. Methamphetamine

What Long-Term Harm Can Meth and Amphetamines Cause?

Both methamphetamine and amphetamine use have side effects, but meth abuse has severe and irreversible long-term consequences. 

The differences between the side effects can be classified as follows:

• Amphetamines can induce stimulant-induced psychosis that generally resolves once drug use is ceased. Meth, on the other hand, gives rise to long-lasting neurotoxicity and damages both serotonin and dopamine terminals. 
• Long-term effects of meth use can include cognitive deficits, memory loss, irreversible mood disorders, and a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Psychosis can recur spontaneously even years after cessation of use.
• Under medical supervision, therapeutic amphetamines are generally safe; however, misuse can lead to cardiovascular issues like elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Meth can have a catastrophic effect on cardiovascular health. It accelerates coronary artery disease and can cause cardiomyopathy, irregular heartbeat, severe pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure.
• Both substances cause malnutrition and weight loss due to reduced appetite. 
• Meth users suffer from meth mouth, where they face dental problems. They also contract skin sores and itchy skin. Heavy usage can lead to irreversible liver and kidney damage.
• Amphetamines, when taken intranasally, create a risk of nasal tissue damage. On the other hand, meth is generally smoked, leading to severe respiratory issues from inhaling toxic chemicals. When meth is injected, it may involve the risk of infections like HIV or hepatitis b/c if needles are shared.

Amphetamine use side effects are relatively milder and often fade once the drug use is stopped, while the side effects of meth have a higher potential to be life-threatening.

What Cognitive Problems Can Come From Long-Term Stimulant Use?

Long-term stimulant use potentially leads to persistent cognitive deficits.

Trouble with planning, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control shows up as executive dysfunction. Deficits in both verbal and working memory affect the ability to retain information. 

Difficulty with sustained focus and shifting attention appropriately characterizes the attention deficit that comes with drug use. Reduced mental agility and longer response times during complex tasks also come from long-term stimulant use. 

What Long-Term Physical Health Issues Can Develop?

Long-term stimulant use can cause severe damage to the body, leading to cardiovascular disease, chronic neurological impairment, and severe nutritional deficiencies.

Persistent psychosis and intense withdrawal symptoms arise when stimulant use is reduced or stopped. 

Risks of Using Amphetamine vs. Methamphetamine

Which Is Riskier: Prescription Amphetamines or Meth?

Meth is significantly riskier than prescription amphetamines.

Methamphetamine crosses the blood-brain barrier much faster and releases significantly more dopamine. The purity of the substance is also unpredictable. Methamphetamine stays active in the body longer, prolonging cardiovascular strain and psychological distress.

Prescription amphetamines are taken in therapeutic doses under the supervision of healthcare providers and are safer.

How Do Illegal Forms, Purity, and Laws Change the Risk (e.g., Crystal Meth, Crank)?

Crystal meth, ice, speed, and crank do not have any legal status; hence, they are manufactured illicitly without any standardization.

Potency is unpredictable; toxic manufacturing byproducts may affect purity. Quality control is non-existent, and people are reliant on unregulated underground markets. A high risk of cross-contamination with lethal additives like fentanyl is also possible. There are also severe penal consequences that discourage users from seeking medical help during an overdose. 

What Are the Signs and Risks of Overdose?

Meth overdose is potentially fatal. Other risks are anxiety, muscle spasms, memory lapses, loss of cognitive function, and seizures.

Signs of overdose may include the following:

• Chest pain
• Severe headache
• Overheating and excessive sweating
• Rigid muscles and unstable walking
• Tremors, spasms, jerky limb movement, and seizures
• Psychosis including hallucinations and delusions
• Severe panic
• Agitation
• Confusion and disorientation

If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

Can Use Cause Heart Attack Or Other Life-Threatening Problems?

Yes, use can cause a heart attack, dangerous heart rhythms, or other life-threatening health problems like heart failure. 

When Should I Go To the Emergency Room?

A meth overdose can be life-threatening. You should go to the emergency room if you see any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased body temperature and excessive sweating
• Abdominal pain
• Stroke
• Heart attack or palpitations
• Kidney failure
• Paranoia
• Slow heartbeat
• Unresponsiveness or coma
• Seizures

Meth overdose can be treated if emergency medical help is provided.

Developing Substance Dependence

How Quickly Do Tolerance and Craving Develop With Prescription Stimulants vs. Meth?

Meth has a unique chemical structure and is generally smoked or injected; hence, it causes significantly higher tolerance and extreme cravings in comparison to prescription medications like Adderall or Ritalin. 

Methamphetamine features a specific chemical modification that makes it highly lipid-soluble. It crosses the blood-brain barrier almost instantly, flooding the synapse with up to five times more dopamine than standard amphetamine. This surge depletes rapidly, causing tolerance and dependence very quickly. 

Prescription amphetamines release gradually and cause a slow rise in dopamine, making the risk of dependence or tolerance low. 

What Are the Warning Signs of Amphetamine Abuse?

Warning signs of amphetamine abuse can show up in a wide range of symptoms, ranging from behavioral, physical, cognitive, and psychological.  

Physical symptoms include:

• Headache
• Increased blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate and palpitations
• Increased body temperature and sweating
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite

Behavioral symptoms include:

• Attempting to get multiple prescriptions for the same drug
• Secretiveness and deception about whereabouts and activities
• Searching online for illegal drugs

Psychosocial symptoms include:

• Hyperactivity and jitteriness
• Increased desire for sex
• Euphoria
• Feelings of grandiosity
• Irritability
• Anxiety and depression

Cognitive symptoms include:

• Increased confidence
• Alertness and concentration become heightened
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Paranoia

Short-term and long-term abuse may look different in amphetamine abuse.

What Are the Warning Signs of Meth Abuse?

The warning signs of meth abuse are physical and behavioral in nature.

Physical warning signs include:

• Weight loss
• Dilated pupils and rapid eye movement
• Increased energy
• Decreased appetite
• Body sores
• Excessive seating

Behavioral signs include:

• Insomnia
• Hyperactivity
• Financial inconsistency
• Secretiveness
• Social circle changes

Withdrawal Symptoms and Management

What Withdrawal Symptoms Are Common After Stimulants?

Common withdrawal symptoms from stimulant use are depression, fatigue, sleep disruption, agitation, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. 

How Does Withdrawal From Meth Differ From Prescription Stimulants?

Withdrawal from methamphetamine and prescription amphetamines has similar symptoms, but methamphetamine withdrawal is more intense, features a harsher initial ‘crash,’ and carries a higher risk of persistent psychological complications.

What Medical Treatments Help With Withdrawal

Sedating antidepressants such as trazodone are prescribed to ease anxiety and agitation, and help restore sleep. 

Treatment for Amphetamines & Methamphetamines

What Are Simple, Evidence-Based Treatments for Prescription Amphetamine Addiction?

Evidence-based treatment programs include counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, and motivational interviewing.

How Are Medications and Therapy Used to Treat Amphetamine Misuse?

Medications and therapy are used to treat amphetamine misuse in conjunction. 

Medications such as topiramate, riluzole, and buprenorphine reduce cravings and depression. Haloperidol and risperidone reduce psychosis.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, along with individual and group therapy, is effective when used in conjunction with medication.

What Works Best to Treat Meth Addiction?

Inpatient treatment for detox and severe withdrawal symptoms that need medical supervision is a good option for treating meth addiction. This should be followed by intensive outpatient treatment that includes cognitive behavioral therapy, individual, and group therapy.

Aftercare in the form of family and social support groups is very important to reduce the chances of relapse. 

Does Treatment Also Help With Mental Health Issues?

Yes, addiction treatment also helps with mental health issues as both generally co-occur. 

Therapy helps understand the root cause of addiction and aims to treat underlying mental health problems that may have led to the situation.  

When Is Medical Detox Needed?

Medical detox is needed when withdrawal symptoms are severe.

This situation may arise if you use daily and need the substance to feel normal. A history of severe withdrawal or co-occurring health conditions that could make withdrawal risky also requires medical detox.

Following Treatment and Aftercare Planning

How Do I Plan Aftercare and Prevent Relapse?

Recovery needs a well-designed, customized aftercare plan that usually combines medical, psychological, and social support.

Individual counseling can help manage cravings, process emotions, and develop coping skills. Group therapy and peer support reduce isolation and provide accountability. 

How Can Peer Support, Family, and Ongoing Therapy Help Stay Sober?

Peer support, family, and ongoing therapy help maintain sobriety by providing shared accountability, repairing relationships, and teaching coping tools. Together, these networks build a safety net that reduces the risk of relapse.

What Practical Steps Help Reduce Risk and Spot Early Relapse Signs?

Reducing relapse risk involves spotting early warning signs and taking fast action. The key steps include recognizing emotional triggers, building a strong support network, and practicing coping skills daily.

FAQs

Are you looking for a licensed and reputable facility to help a loved one recover from substance use disorder? Exclusive Hawaii Rehab can help by providing compassionate, comprehensive, evidence-based treatment programs for both inpatient and outpatient care. Contact our team of experts today.