Prescription amphetamines, such as Ritalin and Adderall have become the go-to solutions for managing a hectic schedule, for students and business execs alike. As well as amphetamines may work at increasing energy and improving focus, when used for purposes other than directed, these drugs can cause serious problems.
Anyone who’s used amphetamines on a regular basis has likely experienced more than a few bouts of amphetamine withdrawal symptoms. While taking more of the drug may provide temporary relief from uncomfortable symptoms, this practice soon leads to addiction.
As amphetamine withdrawal symptoms get worse, a person moves closer and closer to a full-blown addiction problem. Knowing what signs to watch for can help you take control of the situation while you still can.
Call our toll-free helpline at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) to ask about how amphetamine rehab treatment works.
3 Signs Amphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms Are Getting Worse
1. Bingeing
As some of the most powerful drugs on the market, amphetamine drugs can overpower the brain’s normal chemical processes in a short period of time. In effect, these drugs work by forcing brain cells to secrete high levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which are essential neurotransmitter chemicals.
With each drug dose, these effects weaken affected cells, making them less responsive to the drug’s effects. According to the University of Maryland, these developments eventually drive a person to ingest incredibly large amounts of the drug at each sitting.
Since many users use the drug to gain relief from uncomfortable amphetamine withdrawal symptoms, at some point, large amounts must be taken to ward withdrawal symptoms.
2. Physical Problems
Feeling drained is a sign your withdrawal symptoms are getting worse.
Ongoing amphetamine abuse essentially wears down brain and body systems. As the brain loses its functional capacity, the body’s systems start to break down as a result.
Each bout of amphetamine withdrawal symptoms is more uncomfortable and more severe than the one before. In effect, amphetamine withdrawal symptoms reflect the ongoing decline that’s taking place.
According to Stanford Medicine, physical problems to watch for include:
- Sleepless nights
- Feeling drained, no energy
- Random aches and pains
- Feeling more and more irritable with each passing day
- Frequent headaches
3. Emotional Problems
Amphetamine withdrawal symptoms affect the body as well as the mind and emotions. More often than not, a withdrawal episode will bring bouts of depression, anxiety and confusion.
Over time, these symptoms start to linger to the point where getting “high” provides little to no relief. Before long, a person faces a very real risk of developing severe depression or anxiety disorders.
Once emotional problems become an issue, it’s likely an addiction problem has also taken root.
Treatment Considerations
Ultimately, amphetamine withdrawal symptoms become the most obvious indicator of how far along a person is in the drug abuse/addiction cycle. The more severe symptoms become the closer you are to becoming addicted to the drug.
It’s so much easier to overcome an amphetamine problem during the early stages of drug abuse than waiting until a full-blown addiction takes root. In other words, the sooner a person seeks out needed treatment help the better his or her chance of making a full recovery.
If you’re considering drug rehab and need help finding a program that’s right for you, call our helpline at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) to speak with one of our drug abuse counselors.
