Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance, both in its greatly abused and dangerous crystal form and its prescription form. This is part of the reason why many physicians will not prescribe the drug and will only choose to do so if it is extremely necessary to the patient. A person can become addicted to their methamphetamine prescription if they are not careful with the drug and take it exactly as prescribed.
Methamphetamine as a Treatment
Methamphetamine can be used to treat a number of conditions, including ADHD, narcolepsy, and obesity. The drug does have many practical applications that make it a beneficial medication, but it can still be very dangerous.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug, meaning it has high potential for abuse and is available only through a prescription that cannot be refilled.” Though a person’s progress while on this drug is managed by a doctor and though the medication is given in dosages that are much lower than the amounts typically abused as crystal meth, the drug still has a high potential for abuse and addiction, and as such, safeguards must be put into place to help avoid this issues as much as possible.
How Does Someone Become Addicted to Methamphetamine?
You can safely use methamphetamine by taking it as prescribed and informing your doctor of any concerns.
A person can become addicted to their medication the same way they would become addicted to any other type of drug: by taking more of it, taking it more often, or taking it in a different way than prescribed by their doctor. Essentially, all of these actions qualify as abuse, and those who abuse their methamphetamine medication are in danger of becoming addicted to it.
Those who do take higher doses of the medication often do so for reasons for which it was not prescribed. They may attempt to use its side effects that decrease fatigue and drowsiness to keep themselves awake, or they may want to experience the intense euphoria the drug can cause when taken in high doses (much higher than those prescribed). When a person does this continuously over a period of time, the brain begins to crave these responses, creating an addiction.
Can I Avoid Becoming Addicted to My Medication?
You can. If you are taking methamphetamine for one of the conditions listed above, follow these rules to avoid experiencing any issues associated with abuse or addiction.
- Stay in contact with your doctor and let them know how your treatment is going.
- Stay with your prescription and never take a different amount of the drug or take it differently than prescribed.
- Be aware of your feelings toward the drug and, if you notice you are beginning to think about abusing it, talk to your doctor.
- If you are not comfortable being on methamphetamine, ask your doctor if there is another medication you can take.
Always make sure that you are protecting yourself from abusing any medication your doctor prescribes you, and keep your doctor informed of your situation in regards to your treatment. If you have more questions about methamphetamine prescriptions or if you would like to find a rehab center near you, call 800-816-1059(Who Answers?).
