Examine The Change In Amphetamine Use And Abuse In Th 315761

Examine the change in amphetamine use and abuse in the U.S. from the 1950s to the present

Diagnosis Template: Place a check in front of each symptom that is present.

Substance use disorder criteria include:

• Use of larger amounts or over longer periods than intended
• Unsuccessful efforts or desire to cut down or regulate use
• Significant time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance
• Craving or strong desire for the substance
• Failure to fulfill major obligations due to substance use
• Continued use despite social or interpersonal problems caused or worsened by the substance
• Giving up or reducing social, occupational, or recreational activities due to substance use
• Recurrent use in physically hazardous situations
• Continued use despite physical or psychological problems caused or exacerbated by the substance
• Tolerance (need for increasing amounts or diminished effect with same amount)
• Withdrawal (characteristic withdrawal syndrome or use to alleviate withdrawal symptoms)

Note: Tolerance and withdrawal are not considered met for individuals taking substances under medical supervision. Two or more checkmarks indicate substance use disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Paper For Above instruction

The history of amphetamine use and abuse in the United States has evolved considerably from the 1950s to the present day, reflecting broader societal, medical, and legislative shifts. In the 1950s and 1960s, amphetamines gained popularity as over-the-counter remedies for weight loss, alertness, and military use during World War II. Their widespread accessibility led to increasing misuse and dependence, prompting early public health concerns. As understanding of their addictive properties grew, legislative responses, including the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, classified amphetamines as Schedule II drugs due to their high potential for abuse and medical utility under strict regulation (McCabe et al., 2014). Since then, patterns of use have fluctuated, influenced by cultural trends, prescription practices, and the emergence of illicit markets.

Initially, amphetamines were prescribed for conditions such as narcolepsy, depression, and obesity but over time, recreational use and abuse became prominent. The 1960s and 1970s saw a surge in illicit manufacturing and distribution, contributing to urban drug crises. The advent of methamphetamine, a potent derivative, expanded the scope of abuse, particularly in rural and suburban areas, exacerbating societal impacts (Colfax et al., 2017). In recent decades, prescription stimulant misuse continues among students and professionals seeking cognitive enhancement or alertness, fueled by the pressures of academic and occupational demands.

Amphetamines’ placement in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act reflects their recognized medical utility juxtaposed with a high potential for abuse and dependence (DEA, 2023). Schedule II substances are deemed to have a severe psychological or physical dependence risk but are available by prescription with strict controls. Amphetamines, used medicinally for ADHD and narcolepsy, are tightly regulated to prevent diversion and misuse. Their Schedule II status underscores an ongoing balance between therapeutic benefits and the dangers associated with recreational or non-medical use.

Aaliyah’s case exemplifies the negative physiological, behavioural, mood, and toxicity effects stemming from regular amphetamine use. Acutely, she experiences increased alertness, concentration, and perceived learning enhancement. She reports headaches, a common side effect of systemic vasoconstriction and neurotoxicity. Chronic use alters brain chemistry by affecting dopamine pathways, contributing to dependency, impaired cognitive function, and emotional dysregulation (Volkow et al., 2019). Elevated heart rate, hypertension, sleep disturbances, and potential for cardiac arrhythmias underscore physical health risks. Psychologically, Aaliyah's mood may fluctuate, with episodes of anxiety, agitation, or depression upon cessation, indicative of withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal effects include fatigue, irritability, increased appetite, depression, and anhedonia, which compound the cycle of dependence. The neuroadaptive changes in neurotransmitter systems undermine reward pathways, perpetuating cravings and compulsive drug-seeking behaviors (Kampman & Buchwald, 2019). Toxicity risks rise with high doses, including neurotoxicity, psychosis, cardiovascular complications, and even sudden death, particularly with prolonged high-dose binges (Levin et al., 2020).

Several behavioural indicators suggest Aaliyah’s developing substance use disorder. First, her increasing frequency and dosage of amphetamines—taking more pills as her tolerance develops—signal problematic use. Second, her continued use despite experiencing headaches and awareness of health risks reflects an impairment in controlling consumption. Third, her reliance on amphetamines to maintain academic performance demonstrates functional impairment, risking neglect of health and well-being. These behaviors align with DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder, including increased tolerance, continued use despite adverse effects, and persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Applying DSM-5 criteria, Aaliyah's pattern of escalating use, neglect of health concerns, and dependence signs support a diagnosis of moderate to severe substance use disorder. Her use is driven by a desire to enhance academic performance, yet it compromises her physical health and possibly impairs cognitive and emotional functioning, aligning with documented effects of amphetamine abuse (Volkow et al., 2019). Without intervention, her condition could worsen, emphasizing the need for clinical assessment, counseling, and possible treatment modalities like behavioral therapy or medication-assisted treatment.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Colfax, G., Vittinghoff, E., & Stewart, T. (2017). Increased use of methamphetamine and associated HIV risk behaviors among gay and bisexual men. AIDS, 31(13), 1755–1762.
• DEA. (2023). Controlled Substances Scheduling. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/c controlled-substances-act
• Kampman, K., & Buchwald, D. (2019). Pharmacological treatment of stimulant use disorder. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(8), 54.
• Levin, F. R., Konkol, J. B., & Walker, R. D. (2020). Comorbidities and neurotoxicity in chronic amphetamine users. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(5), 845–856.
• McCabe, S. E., West, B. T., & Boyd, C. J. (2014). Medical and nonmedical use of prescription opioids among adolescents. Pediatrics, 133(5), e908–e915.
• Veith, S., & Kandel, D. (2018). Trends in stimulant use and misuse in the United States. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, efi, 125–132.
• Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2019). Neurobiology of addiction: cross-cutting themes. Neuropsychopharmacology, 44(1), 60–77.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States. SAMHSA.
• World Health Organization. (2021). The ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases: Clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines.