Amphetamine Addiction & Treatment
Amphetamine abuse has become a growing concern for Americans with more and more people becoming addicted to amphetamines leading down a spiral of drug addiction. While most individuals began their use of amphetamines after being prescribed them by a physician, there is an increased risk of becoming addicted to amphetamines when someone has a history of emotional distress or trauma that has influenced your ability to manage day to day stressors. Amphetamine addiction can happen to anyone and in order to heal from your substance abuse it is important that you receive the individualized support of an addiction treatment program that will address your underlying causes of drug addiction while providing you with the tools for living in addiction recovery.
What is Amphetamine?
Amphetamines are commonly prescribed for treating symptoms of ADHD or narcolepsy. Amphetamines are known under the following generic names Ritalin, Concerta, and Adderall. All forms of amphetamines are provided in a pill or tablet form in varying dosage levels depending on the medical condition and severity of it.
There are illegal amphetamines that have the street names crystal meth or meth that produce similar effects and symptoms of amphetamine abuse. Crystal meth can be used by smoking or injecting and is highly addictive.
Amphetamine Effects
Amphetamines are a central nervous system stimulant that work by increasing an individual’s brain activity. When individuals engage in substance abuse with amphetamines or illegal amphetamines, they will feel side effects such as increased energy, higher levels of alertness, provide an individual with a false sense of confidence, and elicit intense euphoric feelings. When used to treat ADHD, amphetamines work to reverse symptoms of ADHD including hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, mood instability, and difficulty with holding attention.
Signs of Amphetamine Abuse and Addiction
If you are concerned about your use of amphetamines or a loved one’s potential stimulant abuse, there are common signs and symptoms of amphetamine addiction including:
- Mood swings
- Increased heart rate or irregular heart beat
- Changes in appetite and weight loss
- Aggression
- Difficulty or decline in performance at work or school
- Hallucinations either visual, tactile, or auditory
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that once brought you joy
- Insomnia or changes in sleeping patterns
- The majority of your time is centered around your drug addiction
Amphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms
When you are addicted to amphetamines and are ready to begin the healing process of addiction treatment, there are often concerns about what the drug detox process and withdrawal symptoms will be like. Depending on the severity of your drug addiction, the user feels a variety of symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal including some of the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Extreme fatigue and sleepiness
- Increased appetite
- Body or hand tremors or twitches
- Body aches or pains
- Nightmares
- Delayed responses and slow movements
Long Term Side Effects of Amphetamine Abuse
When you are engaging in stimulant abuse for an extended period of time, it increases the risk of the drug abuse to experience long term harmful effects of amphetamine abuse. Long term effects can include the following:
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Intense cravings for drug and alcohol
- Loss of coordination
- Convulsions
- Increase risk of violent behavior
- Increase in drug seeking behavior
- Respiratory problems
Amphetamine Addiction Treatment
At The Detox Center of LA, we offer a comprehensive treatment program that will help you safely and comfortably overcome your addiction to amphetamines. Our team is highly trained and skilled in providing safe detox practices that will ensure you remain comfortable and relaxed throughout your detox and withdrawal symptoms. After you overcome your physical addiction to amphetamines, our team will support you in identifying the underlying causes of drug addiction through a variety of evidence based therapy methods. Whether you choose between our residential treatment or intensive outpatient treatment program, you will be provided with the highest levels of care that are centered around your specific needs and goals for addiction recovery. Contact one of our friendly admission staff today to begin the healing process of addiction treatment now and get on the road to recovery.
