Pervitin addiction

In the mid-80s, in a number of regions of Russia, cases of using a homemade drug, which was called "shirka" in drug addict slang, appeared among older teenagers (16-17 years old). It contains about 40% α-iodine-pervitin (iodine is used in the manufacturing process).

Symptoms of Pervitin Addiction

Pervitin is administered intravenously. The drug is taken starting with 1-2 ml. When drug addiction develops, a single dose can be increased to 10-12 ml. Overdose can lead to acute psychosis.

The picture of intoxication with pervitin has features similar to intoxication with ephedrone. Intoxication with the first use occurs after 10-15 minutes, a kind of euphoria is characteristic. "Insight" occurs, everything around acquires extraordinary clarity and color, a feeling of pleasant physical comfort appears. After 30-60 minutes, a hypomanic state is formed. The increase in mood is accompanied by hyperactivity, self-confidence, self-confidence and capabilities. The intoxicated person has the impression that especially important and heartfelt thoughts come to him. Own decisions seem very successful and smart. The obligatory effect of intoxication is a sharp increase in sexual desire. In males, there is an increase in sexual potency, they are able to have dozens of sexual intercourses in a row, each time reaching orgasm. The duration of pervitin intoxication is 6-8 hours. The post-intoxication state ("exit") is characterized by dysphoria, irritability, anger, gloom, and suspicion. Gradually, asthenia, lethargy, adynamia, and apathy appear on the dysphoria foyer.

After the first use of pervitin in the post-intoxication state, a desire to re-administer the drug is possible. In this regard, a strong dependence on it occurs in a short time. Pathological attraction when using pervitin is irresistible, a pronounced degradation of the personality with a tendency to socially dangerous behavior is formed. With the development of drug addiction, the duration of intoxication is reduced, the drug is administered several times during the day. The daily and single doses increase rapidly.

The abstinence syndrome is characterized by severe dysphoria. At the same time, malice and aggressiveness are combined with anxiety and suspiciousness. The change of this state to pronounced asthenia and loss of consciousness is characteristic. In some cases, even 1 month after stopping taking pervitin, lethargy, apathy, and inability to sustained purposeful activity persist.

A distinction is made between mild, moderate and severe pervitin withdrawal syndromes (depending on the severity and depth of asthenic, psychopathological, somatovegetative and neurological disorders).

Mild agitation develops 22-24 hours after the last drug intake. It is characterized by strong pathological craving, anxiety, fear, irritability, depressed mood, behavioral disorders, and sleep disorders. The structure of agitation includes severe algic (twisting muscle pain in the back and limbs, headaches) and moderate vegetative disorders (loss of appetite, nausea, lacrimation, runny nose, pale skin, hyperhidrosis, dizziness, tachycardia). Blood pressure increases to 135-140/95-110 mm Hg. Asthenic (fatigue, weakness, lethargy, fatigue, difficulty collecting thoughts) and neurological (diffuse muscle hypotonia, hypomimia, internal tremor) disorders are insignificant.

Moderate AS occurs 16-20 hours after the last drug intake. It is characterized by moderate asthenic (weakness, impotence, lethargy, rapid fatigability, inability to actively concentrate) and severe somatovegetative and neurological disorders. Blood pressure readings are within 125-130/90-95 mm Hg. Psychopathological disorders (fear, anxiety, melancholy, depression) are strongly expressed.

In severe cases, AS occurs 12-14 hours after the last use of pervitin. An intense pathological craving for the drug is characteristic. Sleep disorders predominate, emotional lability and low mood occur. Moderate irritability is observed in these patients. Manifestations of severe asthenic disorders: rapid fatigue, inability to do anything without outside help during a conversation. Neurological disorders are significant (dysarthria, weakened convergence, no pupillary response to light, nystagmus, tongue twitching, impaired superficial sensitivity, ataxia). Vegetative symptoms (decreased or absent appetite, postural hypotension, lacrimation, hyperhidrosis) are moderate. Blood pressure is 85-90/55-60 mm Hg, heart rate is on average 114 per minute. Algic disturbances are minor (feeling of discomfort, tension in the muscles of the back, legs, neck and arms).

Neurological disorders that develop with pervitin addiction include slurred speech, intention muscle tremors, unsteadiness when walking, pathological reflexes in the feet, and increased or decreased tendon reflexes.

Pervitin addicts experience explosive and epiloptoid personality changes, manifestations of psychoorganic syndrome. They are characterized by asocial behavior, evasion of study and work, disregard for laws and rules, desire for immediate satisfaction of desires, complete indifference to the interests of others. Patients are indifferent to comments and praise, intolerant of criticism, they have no attachment to loved ones. Their behavior is determined not by common sense, but by desires and mood. Manifestations of psychoorganic syndrome are impaired concentration, weakening of memory, exhaustion with the slightest mental stress, inability to navigate in a changing environment. Thinking in such patients is slow; a tendency to excessive detailing, getting stuck on trifles is noted.

Pervitin addiction develops several weeks after the drug is first used. Toxic encephalopathy develops after 2-3 months.

Personality premorbidity and its correlations with pervitin consumption, clinical picture and dynamics of withdrawal syndrome indicate three predominant personality types: schizoid, asthenic, unstable.

In the schizoid personality type, the first use of pervitin was observed in the vast majority of cases at the age of 14-16 years, and in most cases - immediately intravenously. The formation of a pathological craving for the drug, and then withdrawal syndrome occurred very quickly (15-30 days). The average dose of pervitin was 12-16 ml / day. Cyclic use was typical for patients in this group. The frequency of drug administration during the next cycle was 5-6 injections per day every 4-5 hours. The rhythm of drug administration: 2-3 days with a rest period (4-6 days). Withdrawal syndrome occurred 24-36 hours after the last administration of the drug and was manifested by moderate psychopathological, vegetative, somatic and pronounced asthenic and neurological disorders. Their intensity decreased on the third day. However, their reduction did not occur even on the 14th day after the start of treatment.

With the prevalence of asthenic features, pervitin was first used at the age of 16-18 years. Pathological craving developed after 1-1.5 months of use. Patients took the drug continuously. The average dose of pervitin was 4-6 ml/day. The frequency of administration was 2-3 injections per day, mainly during the daytime. Withdrawal syndrome occurred 8-12 hours after the last use of the drug (moderate asthenic, vegetative, neurological and severe psychopathological and algic disorders). The severity of the psychopathological manifestations of AS decreased on the third day of treatment, although asthenic, vegetative, neurological and algic disorders decreased only by the 14th day of treatment.

In patients with unstable features, the first use of pervitin is attributed to the age of 17-20 years. Pathological craving developed over 2-2.5 months. The duration of drug abuse was approximately one and a half years. The drug was administered continuously. 2-3 injections per day, mainly during daytime hours. Average doses were 1-2 ml/day. Withdrawal syndrome occurred 10-14 hours after the cessation of drug use. It was represented by mild asthenic, neurological, moderate vegetative, algic and severe psychopathological disorders. A decrease in vegetative and psychopathological manifestations occurred on the third day of treatment. By the 14th day, a complete reduction of all the above disorders was observed.