Understanding Amphetamine Addiction and Treatment Options

Amphetamine Stimulant

The pharmaceutical amphetamine is a nervous stimulant drug that is legitimately used for therapeutic purposes, such as in treatment of ADHD, narcolepsy or depression. Amphetamines act as a stimulant to the body’s central nervous system, increasing energy and alertness through additional brain activity. Amphetamines can also increase heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

However, some people abuse this drug to get high. This abuse can have highly negative consequences and take a serious toll on the health of the user, both physically and mentally. If used under prescription, this medication is relatively safe – but it has a strong potential for addiction. Those who are addicted to this drug should receive proper amphetamine addiction treatment in a rehab facility.

What Exactly is Amphetamine Addiction

With consistent consumption of amphetamines for several weeks, a person becomes psychologically dependent on it. Typically, the patients increase the dosage to fight the growing tolerance. Over time, this addiction intensifies and withdrawal becomes complicated. The severity of addiction depends on the method of administration. These medications are available in capsule or tablet form for normal doses. However, once addicted, people tend to snort amphetamine powder for faster impact.

How Does Amphetamine Addiction Occur

The brain relies on neurotransmitters to regulate many essential functions of the body. Amphetamines activate specific neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, causing them to release feelings of extreme happiness, together with an increase in motivation. As the body becomes dependent on the release and activation of these neurotransmitters, the person develops an increasing reliance on the drug that causes this release.

The Symptoms of Amphetamine Addiction

The common signs and symptoms of this addiction include high blood pressure, increased body temperature and respiration rate, dilated pupils, depression, cognitive impairment, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, decreased appetite, anxiety, and indigestion. There can be many potential dangers of abusing an amphetamine, including risk of injury and cardiovascular issues. In some cases, this addiction can also cause structural changes in the brain by destroying grey matter and dopamine receptors.

Any attempt to quit using amphetamines can cause a new set of problems, including severe withdrawal symptoms that can include long periods of experiencing cravings and depression. These symptoms arise from a physiological dependence on the drug, leading to a feeling, common among addicted people, that a meaningful life is no longer possible without it.

Treatment and Therapies for Amphetamine Addiction

Chronic use of this drug can make treatment difficult. A comprehensive amphetamine addiction treatment should begin with a proper diagnosis of the problem. It is advisable to choose a comfortable rehabilitation facility that offers onsite drug detoxification to manage amphetamine withdrawal and include personalized intensive treatment. This treatment should include the following stages – which, taken together, can help an addict to live a healthy and happy life without stimulants.

• Evaluation and Assessment of the Problem – When you get to a rehab facility, an expert consultant will assess your conditions on the parameters like alcohol dependence, medical history, and physical health. This is the preliminary stage of treatment, involving a physical and behavioral evaluation with the help of a standard interview. Some rehab centers also rely on evidence-based screening tools to assess the severity of addiction and plan the suitable individualized treatment. After an initial screening and assessment, the rehab center will propose a plan of treatment.
• Onsite Medical Detox – When quitting the amphetamine addiction, patients may experience severe withdrawal symptoms that require immediate medical assistance. Long-term users are prone to delusional and suicidal thoughts. A focused medical intervention in the form of detoxification addresses these issues.
• Recovery and Support – The specialists at the rehab facility will provide structured support for continuation on the path of abstinence, prevention of relapse, healthier emotional functioning, and addressing several other problem areas. These efforts are aimed at improving communication skills and recovery, while also helping to address any deeply rooted psychological and emotional issues.
• Rehabilitation – Treatments are structured with educational activities, individual counseling, cognitive behavioral therapies, and group sessions based on mindfulness therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapies help the individual to attain the holistic treatment goals of the rehab facility, while psychotherapies allow patients to learn how to live a substance-free life. This part of the process may include various types of individual and group therapies. Ongoing counseling therapy should also be provided to patients for several months on completion of a rehab program, to ensure proper after-care.

Towards the end of your stay in a rehab facility, the patient will be offered assistance from peer groups in the community to continue the recovery from amphetamine addiction. On successful completion of all these stages, the patient can begin to embrace a life of sobriety.

Why Rehab Works

A reliable rehab facility will provide individualized inpatient treatment as well as round-the-clock care by trained medical and psychological experts. The treatment procedures at a quality rehab facility have been refined for decades, based on solid research and experience in the field of addiction. These techniques include healthy coping skills as well as guidance towards a positive mindset – allowing for fast, safe and effective recovery with a lower chance of relapse.

Before joining a rehab facility, we recommend asking about the length of programs that they offer. In general, inpatient programs may take 1-3 months for completion while long-term rehab programs can be extended for several months.

When it comes to selecting a rehab center, it is important to make an informed decision based on the specific conditions surrounding the individual’s health and addiction. Patients need specialized care to recover faster from amphetamine (or any other type of drug) addiction. It pays to ask around and compare programs in different rehabs in your region – or even abroad. Look at testimonials from past clients, as well as credentials of the therapists working in the facility.

Seeking Help for Amphetamine Addiction

If you or a loved one has formed a dependency to amphetamine, it is key to get a proper treatment plan in place to help you start the recovery process. To receive help for amphetamine addiction, call now to speak to a Treatment Specialist at a treatment center to receive treatment options and guidance. Call 866-644-7911 for guidance now.