Amphetamine cravings can last longer than almost any other type of desire for a drug. Because these substances are stimulants, you may experience cravings for amphetamines long after you finish a treatment program. But how long after rehab will these symptoms continue to occur? Call 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) now to find a rehab program that will cater to your needs.
Amphetamine Cravings and Their Post-Treatment Occurrence
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Few studies [have] examined treatments for amphetamine withdrawal, although it is a common problem among amphetamine users. Its symptoms, in particular intense craving, may be a critical factor leading to relapse to amphetamine abuse.” This is because many people continue to experience this extreme desire for the drug even after treatment has ended.
Amphetamine cravings can last for years after an individual’s drug abuse has stopped. While they become less frequent, they can often hit with little to no warning, creating an extremely intense need for the drug that can be very hard to fight. Especially when you have left the rehab center and are no longer attending some sort of regular treatment or recovery program for addiction, it can be difficult to anticipate and fight these cravings.
Amphetamine Cravings Fluctuate
Without coping skills, it’s nearly impossible not to give in to amphetamine cravings.
Every individual is different: there is no way of knowing when a person will experience cravings for amphetamines, how severe they will be, or what will trigger them without the help of intensive treatment. This is why many individuals who do attend some sort of rehab program often fare better in dealing with their cravings; they learn to identify and avoid their triggers as well as how to cope with cravings when they do occur. But it can still be extremely difficult to deal with this long-term issue even after rehab.
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing when they will stop for good, if ever. Some people go without experiencing any for a long time and then suddenly are hit with severe cravings. This is why many individuals who abused stimulant drugs in the past do not consume caffeine or other substances that mimic effects similar to these drugs and must be very careful about what they do and where they go.
How Can I Avoid Issues Associated with My Cravings?
According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, “Anticraving agents with a fast onset of action may be helpful during the early withdrawal period,” but this is not a medication that can be taken continually after one’s initial dependency treatment ends.
Therefore, a person will need to learn to recognize their triggers, avoid encountering them, accept the fact that they will likely experience some level of craving long after addiction treatment is over, and become adept at coping with the cravings that do occur.
You will likely struggle with this desire for the drug after your rehab stay has ended, but this is why it can be helpful to attend another type of program as aftercare. Support groups, individualized drug counseling, and other programs can help someone cope with cravings after treatment. However, it is very important to attend traditional rehab first for the best chance of long term recovery. Call 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) today to find facilities that will cater to your needs and allow you to recover from amphetamine abuse in the safest way possible.
