Substance Use & Drug Information News Briefs

March 27, 2025

CEU Course of the Week:

Understanding and Treating Stimulant Use Disorders



THE IMPENDING AMPHETAMINE MISUSE CRISIS

This week we take a look at a potentially serious trend: The misuse of amphetamines within America. According to a recent paper in JAMA Psychiatry, more than a quarter of adults 18-64 years old who are prescribed amphetamines (primarily for ADD) misuse them, and 9% have a (prescription) Stimulant Use Disorder. In the study, methylphenidate (Ritalin) has a slightly lower misuse potential.

First synthesized in 1887, amphetamines were freely prescribed in the 1960s and early 70s,for weight reduction, depression and fatigue. Drugs such as Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), Dexamyl, Eskatrol and Benzedrine (amphetamine sulfate) were known as debs, dexies, brown-and-clears, green-and-clears, Christmas trees and, generically, speed. From the very beginning of therapeutic amphetamine use, misuse occurred, and a 1932 medical text describes amphetamine psychosis. 

In this edition of the newsletter, we feature three articles/papers that describe the misuse of amphetamines by those who have had the drug prescribed for them. The first is from the JAMA Psychiatry, the second from Psychology Today, and the third from Becker's Behavioral Health. They describe a current environment in which increasing amphetamine misuse is likely. All of the factors of this environment are similar to those that were in place just prior to the amphetamine epidemic of the 1960s.These factors include a growing number of adults and youth diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (hyperactive, distracted or mixed) and increased amphetamine production (which results in increased diversion to the nonmedical community).

Sources: 

Gold, MS. The New Amphetamine Crisis. Psychology Today, March 25, 2025.

Han B, Jones CM, Volkow ND, et al. Prescription Stimulant Use, Misuse, and Use Disorder Among US Adults Aged 18 to 64 Years. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online March 19, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.0054

Murphy, A. ADHD prescriptions on the rise: 5 study notes. Becker's Behavioral Health, March 20, 2025.