Amphetamine Abuse And Use

Module 3 Assignment 2 Name Course Tutors Name Date Module 3 Assignment 2 Amphetamines belong to a group of synthetic psychoactive drugs that act as a central nervous system stimulant. They are used to treat narcolepsy, resistant depression and obesity. They have the effect of increased wakefulness, energy, and concentration. When abused or overused, Amphetamines can be addictive. Abuse of amphetamine is common because they are inexpensive, readily available and have long lasting effects. In this paper we shall examine the history of abuse of Amphetamines in the US and the case study of Aaliyah Examine the change in amphetamine use and abuse in the U.S. from the 1950s to the present. Non- medical use of stimulants and abuse ofstimulants in the United States has a long history. Although different generations of Americans have preferred different substances, the underlying cause for non-medical use of stimulants has been consistent. The desire to expand reality, lower inhibitions, temporary psychological escape from social and economic difficulties as well as survival in an increasingly competitive environment have consistently been identified as motivating factors for non-medical use of stimulants (Austin, 1978). A Romanian chemist first synthesized amphetamines in 1887. Although they were used in the