Speed, meth, Adderall, they are all types of drugs that are known as amphetamines and all can cause addiction. Amphetamines are either snorted, injected, orally consumed or smoked to produce a euphoric effect that includes increased energy, heightened alertness and an inability to fall asleep. Many amphetamines are used in the treatment of attention deficit disorders such as ADD or ADHD or the treatment of sleep disorders such as narcolepsy but when taken excessively or for recreational purposes amphetamines can be habit-forming and may lead to addiction.
Tolerance
Tolerance and physical dependence are early signs of amphetamine addiction.
The first signs of amphetamine addiction tent to be tolerance. Tolerance is the reaction that the body has been given a drug repeatedly. Over time, sometimes faster if taken with other drugs, the body will have less of a reaction to the drug and the user will have to take more of the drug in order to feel the same effects. As tolerance builds, the user will no longer feel the same effects of amphetamines and may resort to using more or to using the drugs more often.
Regular amphetamine use can quickly lead to tolerance of the drug. Though tolerance does build rapidly, taking a break from the drug use can quickly cause the tolerance to diminish. Unfortunately, this is one of the greatest dangers associated with amphetamine addiction treatment; users who stop taking amphetamines for a period of time have a lowered tolerance and when they relapse are more likely to overdose because they think that they can return to previous patterns of drug abuse which could prove to be too much for their newly reduced levels of tolerance.
Signs of Amphetamine Addiction
You may not recognize the signs of amphetamine addiction at first but as the addiction progresses and the effects of amphetamine use set in, the signs of addiction become more and more evident. Some of the early signs of addiction are tolerance and physical dependence or an urge to use amphetamines. During this early phase, quitting amphetamine use is encouraged before major side effects really begin to set in.
Additional signs of amphetamine addiction include:
- Compulsive use of amphetamines
- Using amphetamines to feel good
- Lack of personal appearance or ill desire to take care of one’s self
- Taking amphetamines to cope with everyday activities
- Using amphetamines to socially interact
- Lack of pleasure when not taking amphetamines
- Taking amphetamines despite problems in a relationship or with loved ones
- Taking amphetamines despite the known consequences of taking the drugs
- Withdrawal symptoms when not taking amphetamines
Amphetamine Addiction Withdrawal
Many symptoms are associated with amphetamine addiction withdrawal. While most of the symptoms will gradually dissipate on their own and go away, there may be a need for treatment to balance out the mental instability that comes with sustained amphetamine use. As amphetamine withdrawal sets in, both the brain and the body go through a series of reactions that are not necessarily comfortable or exciting for the recovering addict.
Symptoms of Amphetamine Withdrawal may include:
- Excessive hunger
- Extreme fatigue
- Sleeping for more than 24 hours at a time
- Lack of coordination
- Rapid heartbeat
- Irregular heartbeat
- Irritability
- Hypersensitivity
- Hallucinations
- Nightmares
Amphetamine Addiction Treatment
For those who find themselves struggling in the perils of amphetamine addiction, there is hope! Amphetamine addiction treatment will first embark on the journey through the early phases of amphetamine detoxification and then can continue on through the stages in which behavioral counseling and therapy ensues. Because amphetamines have the same impact on the pleasure feeling senses of the brain that cocaine and alcohol have, when the user stops he or she will likely require extensive care to help rebuild a sense of happiness and self-worth without amphetamine use.
Treatment begins when you get help today at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) or a request for help through the online contact form. Amphetamine addiction treatment can be a long and difficult journey but recovery is possible and with time you will feel good again.
It’s time to end the horrid feelings that you are having, time to stop suffering from the perils of this addiction and time to get on the right path – we can help! Amphetamines are dangerous, deadly and disgusting but with proper addiction treatment, behavioral therapy, counseling and support you can get past this lifestyle of addiction and get on your way to a new you!
