Speed Drug: What You Should Know About Amphetamines

Amphetamines, also known as “the speed drug,” are powerful stimulants that impact the brain and body. People take speed to feel alert, stay awake longer, or increase their energy. However, while these drugs might offer short bursts of energy, they carry serious risks. Amphetamines can be highly addictive, and their misuse can lead to dangerous health problems.

This guide answers what speed is used for, its effects and side effects, and its dangers. You will also discover how to get effective treatment for speed addiction.

What Is the Drug Speed?

Speed is a street name for a type of drug known as amphetamines. These drugs are powerful stimulants of the CNS (central nervous system), which means they speed up the messages between your brain and body. [1]

People often use speed to feel more awake, alert, or energetic. However, these effects come at a cost. Speed can be highly addictive and dangerous, especially when misused. It’s illegal to use amphetamines without a prescription, and many people take this class of drugs in dangerous ways, such as snorting or injecting. Although some amphetamines have medical uses, the recreational use of speed can provoke severe health complications, both physical and emotional.

What Type of Drug Is Speed?

Speed is a CNS (central nervous system) stimulant. The most common type of speed drug is amphetamine, which includes variants like methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine. While these substances are chemically related, meth is stronger and more dangerous than speed. Meth produces a more intense high and is more likely to lead to addiction and adverse health outcomes.

When sold illegally, speed usually comes as a white or pink powder that can be snorted, smoked, swallowed, or injected. It can also come in pill form. While doctors sometimes prescribe amphetamines to manage conditions like ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and narcolepsy, the illegal use of these drugs is associated with addiction, overdose, and severe long-term health issues.

Is Speed the Same as Meth?

The term speed may be used to refer to meth, but methamphetamine is usually known as crystal meth or meth rather than speed.

Meth is a type of amphetamine that’s much stronger and more dangerous than amphetamine. Both speed and meth are stimulants that increase energy and alertness, but meth triggers more intense effects and is more likely to lead to addiction and harmful side effects.

When someone smokes or injects meth, it produces a quick and intense rush of euphoria. This is one of the reasons the drug is so addictive. Meth also stays in the body longer, which means the effects can last for hours. Any sustained use of meth is liable to cause physical and mental health issues, from hallucinations and paranoia to violent behavior and long-term brain damage. [2]

Is Speed Cocaine?

Speed and cocaine are different drugs, even though they are both stimulants and can cause similar effects like increased energy and alertness. Cocaine comes from the coca plant, while speed is a synthetic drug. Both drugs speed up the CNS, but they are made from different substances and have different chemical structures.

Cocaine usually produces a short and intense high that doesn’t last as long as the effects – cocaine’s effects last 30 to 60 minutes, while the effects of speed can persist for several hours.

Despite these differences, both cocaine and speed are highly addictive and can lead to dangerous health issues, including heart problems, mental health issues, and life-threatening overdose. Both drugs can cause severe cravings and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.

What Is Speed Slang For? (Other Names)

Speed is a common slang term for amphetamines, especially the illegal versions of these CNS stimulants. Other street names for speed include:

• Uppers
• Whizz
• Billy
• Bennies
• Crank
• Pep pills

Meth is referred to by more specific slang names, such as:

• Ice
• Crystal
• Crystal meth
• Meth
• Shards
• Glass

No matter what it’s called, speed is a dangerous substance that should be avoided.

What Are the Effects of Taking Speed?

Taking speed can make people feel alert, awake, and energized. Many people misuse the drug to stay up for long periods or to feel more focused. Some take speed to boost their confidence or feel more social. These effects may seem appealing to those working long hours or studying for extended periods, but the risks far outweigh any potential benefits.

The euphoria produced by speed will always subside, and many people experience a crash as the drug wears off. This crash leaves them feeling anxious, depressed, or exhausted. Additionally, using speed repeatedly to recreate these short-term effects can lead to dependence, addiction, and serious health risks.

Speed Side Effects

While speed may provide an initial burst of energy, it may also deliver dangerous side effects. These may vary depending on how much is taken, how often it’s used, and the person’s overall health. Common side effects of speed include:

• Increased heart rate: Speed forces the heart to work harder, which can be dangerous.
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure induced by speed can lead to heart damage.
• Fast breathing: The drug stimulates the body’s systems, including the lungs.
• Restlessness: People may feel jittery or unable to relax.
• Reduced appetite: Speed can make people lose interest in eating, leading to weight loss and malnutrition.
• Trouble sleeping: The stimulating effects of speed can make it hard to sleep, causing insomnia.
• Mood swings: People may feel anxious, paranoid, or angry, especially if they use speed regularly or in high doses.

Over time, these side effects can worsen and lead to more serious problems like heart disease, mental health disorders, and severe addiction.

How Long Do Speed Side Effects Last?

The duration of speed’s side effects depends on how much of the drug is used, how it’s taken, and whether it’s methamphetamine or a different form of amphetamine. Generally, the initial speed high can last from 4 to 12 hours, with methamphetamine lasting longer than amphetamine.

The unpleasant after-effects of speed can last much longer. These may include restlessness, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Some people experience a crash or comedown that takes several days to recover from. During this time, they may feel tired, depressed, and irritable. For those who use speed regularly or in large amounts, the after-effects may stick around longer and take a serious toll on physical and mental health.

Can Speed Cause Long-Term Problems?

Using speed can lead to serious long-term problems for the body and mind. One of the primary dangers is how speed affects the brain. Over time, regular use can change the way the brain works, leading to memory problems, difficulty focusing, and even permanent brain damage. [3] Long-term use may also trigger the development of amphetamine psychosis, which causes hallucinations, paranoia, and violent behavior. These symptoms can last long after someone stops using the drug.

Speed also puts stress on the heart and other organs. Regular use can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and damage to the blood vessels. People who use speed often may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke, even at a young age.

Additionally, because speed reduces appetite, long-term use may result in weight loss, malnutrition, and a weakened immune system, making them more likely to get sick. [4]

Mental health can also suffer from long-term speed use. Many people who use speed regularly experience anxiety, depression, and extreme mood swings. Some may struggle with suicidal thoughts or actions, especially when trying to quit. These long-term problems make speed a dangerous drug.

Addiction Risks

Speed is highly addictive, which means that once someone starts using it regularly, it can be difficult to stop. When someone uses speed, their brain releases a lot of dopamine, a chemical that makes them feel happy or rewarded. Over time, the brain gets used to having speed, and it becomes harder to feel good without using the drug. This is what leads to addiction (known in this case as stimulant use disorder), as people feel the need to take more of the drug to feel normal.

As addiction develops, a person may lose control over their use of the drug. They may think about it constantly, using it even when they know it’s causing problems in their life. People addicted to speed often build up tolerance, meaning they need to take increasingly larger amounts to deliver the initial effects. This increases the risk of overdose and other health issues.

When someone addicted to speed tries to quit, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include extreme tiredness, intense cravings, irritability, and depression. Because these withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, many people continue using the drug to avoid them, which keeps the cycle of addiction going. Without help, it can be hard to break free from a speed addiction, making it one of the most dangerous aspects of the drug.

Dangerous Interactions

Using speed on its own is risky, but combining it with other substances can make it even more dangerous. Many people mix speed with other drugs or alcohol, not realizing how harmful the combination can be. When speed is used with other stimulants like cocaine or MDMA, it puts extra stress on the heart and can lead to heart attacks or strokes. The body becomes overloaded, and this can cause sudden, life-threatening complications.

Mixing speed with CNS depressants like alcohol, marijuana, or sleeping pills is also dangerous. Depressants slow down the body, while speed does the opposite. This can confuse the body, making it harder to sense when it’s in danger. For example, people may feel less drunk when they take speed with alcohol, leading them to drink more than they should. This increases the risk of alcohol poisoning. The conflicting effects of stimulants and depressants can also put a severe strain on the heart and nervous system.

Some people also use speed with prescription medications, which can lead to unexpected and harmful reactions. Taking speed with medications for mental health conditions or other stimulant drugs, like those for ADHD, can cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure or increase the risk of seizures. Combining drugs is always risky, and with speed, the dangers multiply.

Overdose

An overdose happens when someone takes too much speed, pushing the body beyond its limits. Overdosing on speed can cause serious health problems, and in some cases, it can be fatal. The symptoms of an overdose can come on quickly and might include extreme restlessness, a dangerously fast heart rate, high body temperature, and seizures. In severe cases, an overdose can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or organ failure.

Speed overdoses can also affect the brain. People may experience confusion, hallucinations, or paranoia. In some cases, an overdose can lead to violent behavior or a complete mental breakdown. The risk of overdose is higher for those who inject or smoke speed, as these methods deliver the drug to the brain faster, causing a more intense effect.

One of the biggest dangers of speed is that people may not realize they’re at risk of overdosing until it’s too late. This is especially true for people who have built up tolerance. If someone shows signs of a speed overdose, seek medical help immediately, as prompt treatment can be lifesaving.

Getting Help for Speed Drug Use | FAQs

Can I become addicted to speed? Yes, speed is highly addictive. Regular use can cause the brain to depend on the drug, making it hard to feel normal without it and leading to compulsive use and cravings.

How do I stop using speed pills? To stop using speed pills, seek help from a healthcare provider or addiction specialist. They can create a plan that may include therapy, support groups, and medical care to help with withdrawal symptoms.

Will I die if I keep taking speed? Continued use of speed increases the risk of serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, and overdose, all of which can be fatal. Long-term use also weakens the body and mind, making death more likely over time.

Get Insurance-Covered, Science-Backed Treatment for Speed at Renaissance Recovery

Do you need help for yourself or a loved one battling speed addiction? If so, reach out to Renaissance Recovery.

We treat addictions and mental health disorders in an outpatient setting at our luxury beachside rehabs in Florida and California. This enables you to carry on at home and work while getting first-class addiction treatment. Therapies may include:

• Medication-assisted treatment
• Counseling
• Motivational therapies
• Talk therapies
• Family therapy
• Holistic treatments
• Group therapy
• Aftercare

To get treatment for speed addiction, call our recovery team today at 866.330.9449.

Sources

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548702/

[2] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-long-term-effects-methamphetamine-misuse

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2769923/

[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4889773/