When a person begins abusing amphetamines regularly, they put themselves in danger of becoming addicted to these drugs. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, “Abuse of amphetamines, which can lead to tolerance and physical and psychological dependence, is characterized by consuming increasingly higher dosages, and by the ‘binge and crash’ cycle, when users attempt to maintain their high by overindulging in these drugs.”
If you have been participating in these behaviors for several weeks or longer, it is likely that you are already addicted to amphetamines and require treatment. However, it is still important to consider your current state and the seriousness of your substance abuse to determine how dangerous the issue has become.
Am I An Addict?
If you have been abusing amphetamines for more than a few weeks, it is likely you have become addicted to these drugs. Stimulants can cause serious and intense addiction syndromes, so it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Still, ask yourself the questions below and answer honestly to find out whether or not you may be in need of amphetamine addiction treatment.
If amphetamine use is harming your work performance, you may need addiction treatment.
- Do I take amphetamines in a binge-crash cycle?
- This means abusing amphetamine drugs in large amounts in order to prolong your high and then crashing when the effects wear off.
- Do I feel that I need amphetamines to get through the day?
- Am I taking someone else’s prescription or have I otherwise broken the rules of my own prescription to continue abusing these drugs?
- Have I ever used blank prescriptions, participated in doctor shopping, or done other illegal things to obtain more drugs?
- Have more than one of my friends or family members expressed real concern about my drug use?
- Do I abuse amphetamines even when I’m alone?
- Do I make excuses for myself to take these drugs?
- Do I attempt to hide my drug abuse from my loved ones?
- Have I noticed my performance in work or school is suffering because of my substance abuse?
- Has a major part of my life (school, work, family, finances, etc.) experienced severe problems as a result of my amphetamine use?
- Even so, do I feel I am unable to stop or cut back on my own?
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Continuing to use drugs even when health, work, or family are being harmed” is a serious sign of addiction. When someone feels they have lost control over their drug abuse, this is when addiction has taken hold, and treatment is absolutely necessary.
Do I Really Need Treatment?
If you answered yes to the questions above, you must seek treatment right away. However, even if you have not yet become an addict, it is never too early to seek help. Addiction is harder to reverse once it takes hold, and any time an individual who has been using drugs regularly decides to seek treatment, there are some ways that these changes can be made early and help them avoid more dangerous circumstances.
Wherever you currently are in your substance abuse syndrome, it is important to seek treatment and reverse the effects amphetamines have caused in your life. Call 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) today to find a treatment center near you or to learn more about amphetamine abuse and addiction.