Final answer:
It is not true that amphetamines, including methamphetamine, are free from the risk of neurotoxicity and brain damage with long-term use. Prescribed for ADHD, therapeutic doses are safer, but recreational use can lead to serious psychological and physical side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is NOT true about amphetamine overdoses? The statement that amphetamine is not neurotoxic and does not cause brain damage from long-term use is not true. Prescriptions for conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) utilize amphetamines for their ability to increase neurotransmitter activity and improve impulse control. However, recreational or supratherapeutic doses of amphetamines, much larger than therapeutic doses, can lead to serious side effects. Not only can amphetamines in high doses result in physical side effects such as rhabdomyolysis and cerebral hemorrhage, but they can also cause severe psychological effects like psychosis. Additionally, it's important to differentiate between amphetamine and its potent derivative, methamphetamine, which is more harmful and neurotoxic, damaging serotonin and dopamine neurons, with evidence supporting brain damage due to long-term use. Using amphetamines inappropriately, either via overdose or over a prolonged period, can lead to significant health risks and should be handled with care.