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Strong nonprescription stimulants are being abused by troubled teens around the country. Stimulants which may comprise of ephedrine (the main component in what has become known as an herbal version of ecstasy), phenylpropanolamine (which may be likened to amphetamine), or caffeine, are commonly abused by teenagers searching for the stimulant rush. The scary thing about these stimulants is that they may be readily available and accessible to your teenager in simple groceries. Unlike other illegal drugs, these kinds of stimulants may be bought even without the need for underground selling.
A particular kind of stimulant found on the streets contains about double the caffeine you may find in a single cup of coffee. Its street name is pink hearts and teenagers have been known to pound the drug into powder and sniff the substance up. A uninformed teenager desperately seeking for a way to stay up late to cram for mid-term exams may think of trying the drug if offered to him/her, without his/her knowing that with just a few pills his/her blood pressure can be seriously affected. Those stimulants containing phenylpropanolamine which can be commonly found in some cold medicines, can leave a teen with anxiety, an elevated pulse, and even cause a stroke when taken in dangerous doses.
Stimulants known as amphetamines which go by the nickname ‘speed’ have an effect likened to cocaine, wherein he/she may experience short-lived feelings of boundless vigor. But after the invincible feeling dies down, your teen may be left feeling hostile, paranoid, and easily irritated or agitated. Continued abuse of such a stimulant can gravely affect an adolescent’s health as the drug can significantly affect his/her appetite. Because of a decreased appetite, malnutrition may ensue.
Exactly who may be in danger of abuse of this type of stimulant:
Troubled teens suffering from Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be susceptible to abuse of the stimulant because of the utilization of Ritalin and Dexedrine in treatment. A proper dosage of these drugs may prove useful in the treatment of those teens with ADHD, but this also exposes the drug to the misuse of others because of the attention it has been getting.
Methamphetamine
Another type of amphetamine is the drug methamphetamine which comes under the nicknames—crystal meth, poor-man’s coke, ice, glass, and crank. This particular amphetamine is not as expensive as cocaine but can give a user a longer high. Methamphetamine has been known to be abused by teenagers with eating disorders since it may help decrease appetite. The drug has also been used by teens for its mood enhancing effects. But hostile behavior, difficulty sleeping, and agitation are also all possible effects of continued use of the drug.
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