Amphetamine

Introduction to Amphetamine

Amphetamine is listed in the category of Class B drugs under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It's prohibited to possess, produce, or supply amphetamine.

Those who are found with amphetamine may face a maximum of up to 5 years in prison with an unlimited fine. Those found producing or distributing amphetamine could face a maximum sentence of 14 years and an unlimited fine.

According to Statista, 8.5% (2.9 million) of the UK's population between 16 and 59 claim to have tried using amphetamine at least once in their lives. It's somewhat fair to say that the rate of use of amphetamine is similar to that of cannabis, but cannabis use is more frequent.Still, such amphetamine usage rates create enough justification for accurate and reliable amphetamine drug test methods.

The misuse of amphetamine can also impact health, family, and employment.Below, we will look at amphetamine misuse and provide you with all the necessary information about an amphetamine test.

Amphetamine Street Names

Amphetamine has multiple common and well-known street names. Some of the most recognisable include:

• Speed
• Uppers
• Ice
• Bennies
• Dexies
• Pep pills
• Whizz

These names typically indicate misuse. Some weight loss medications have been reported to contain amphetamine and further reports of substances are sold on the black market that may contain amphetamine.

 

Amphetamine's Chemical Structure

Amphetamine are in the phenethylamine class with the chemical name C9H13N. They work by stimulating the central nervous system as they increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels. 

The chemical structure means they then pass through the blood-brain barrier, improving cognition and energy levels. Users report feeling energised, focused, and a rush of euphoria. It can also induce anxiety and nervousness.

Amphetamine drug testing is essential in numerous settings. At AttoLife, we offer reliable and accurate testing solutions for legal and healthcare professionals as well as employers. Contact us today for more information.

Amphetamine Use in Legal Scenarios

Drug testing for amphetamine is requested as part of any legal case where misuse is suspected. Some of the common legal scenarios include:

• Family law: negligence, child custody and care proceedings
• Roadside traffic accidents
• Probation monitoring or any court-mandated case
• Workplace incidents: Misuse in safety-sensitive roles

False Positives and Interpretation of Amphetamine Results

Illicit amphetamine is composed of a mixing between the two enantiomers (S)- and (R)-amphetamine. On the other hand, when amphetamine is used in medical treatment, the more potent (S)-amphetamine enantiomer is used.

False positives can and do occur during the presumptive screening step and with isomers, but they're not exactly common. Some of the causes of false positives include:

• Cross-reactivity with medications like pseudoephedrine
• Mishandling of samples or outdated tests

Using multiple testing methods and checking for cross-reactivity medications, pseudoephedrine will improve the accuracy of amphetamine testing. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, or GC-MS testing, can also confirm misuse.