Dear SPUN CHICKEN!,

Glad to hear you're less whacked. While you were "out," Alice answered quite a few drug questions, which can be found in the Alcohol, Nicotine, & Other Drugs section of the Alice archives. In many cases, these questions and answers deal with drugs other than amphetamines and other stimulants, but they do address issues common to all drug use: myths; facts; motivations for use; abuse, addiction; rehabilitation; and, resources for help.

Amphetamines are used legally (with a doctor's prescription) as appetite suppressants for weight control, and for treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, narcolepsy, and depression. In low doses, amphetamines temporarily increase alertness and reduce fatigue. Illegally, speed, also called crank, meth, crystal, and ice, is usually snorted, smoked, injected, or swallowed to produce feelings of exhilaration, excitement, and euphoria. Speed literally speeds you up: it increases heart and respiratory rates, and can produce an irregular heartbeat, increase perspiration, and raise body temperature. Paranoia, anxiety, and panic are the most common negative psychological effects of speed. By the way, all of these effects add up to a chemically induced stress response. Long-term use can lead to hallucinations, delusions, and violent and self-destructive behavior. OD'ing on speed can send you into convulsions, high fevers, coma, and possibly death, from heart failure, ruptured blood vessels in the brain, or hyperthermia.

Alice usually considers specific questions about drugs, sex, stress, nutrition, and other health topics, rather than waxing philosophical about social issues, politics, and legal policy. Alice put your letter up because your testimonial is educational in and of itself. Thanks.

Alice