- Article SummaryPrint
- Amphetamine Statistics
- How Amphetamine Affects the Body
- The Dangers of Amphetamine Use
- Amphetamine Abuse and Addiction Symptoms
- Amphetamine Addiction Treatment Options
- Amphetamine Detox
- Amphetamine Addiction Treatment
- Amphetamine Rehab Centers
The official name for amphetamine is alpha-methylphenethylamine. It is a psychostimulant drug that is often used to increase wakefulness and decrease appetite. The drug is known to be psychologically and physically addictive.
A person who has developed a dependency on the drug may need amphetamine addiction treatment to stop using it. There are hundreds of treatment facilities that can help you or someone you love overcome an addiction to amphetamine.
Call our confidential toll-free hotline at 1-800-928-9139 for assistance with finding an amphetamine rehab center that is right for you.
Amphetamine Statistics
According to the World Health Organization, countries in East Asia and Oceania have the highest rates of stimulant abuse, which includes the use of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (Ecstasy).Korea, Japan, and the Philippines report that people use these drugs at rates that are five to seven times higher than cocaine or heroin use. The U.S. Department of Health and Family Services reports 20.4 million people aged 12 and older used amphetamine for non-medical reasons in 2006. Amphetamine addiction treatment costs the country $484 billion annually.
Factoid:
Amphetamine is sold under several brand names including Adderall, Dexedrine, Dextrostat, ProCentra, Desoxyn, and Vyvanse.
The most popular reason given for amphetamine use was to increase wakefulness. Weight loss and appetite control were other reasons cited for amphetamine use. Stress is a major contributor to amphetamine use and abuse.
Factoid:
The most common street names for amphetamine are speed and uppers. However, it is known by other terms including Bennie, black mollies, dominoes, eye openers, truck drivers, footballs, bumblebees, rippers, marathons, and whiz.
How Amphetamine Affects the Body
Many people who use amphetamine recreationally consider the drug to be a performance enhancer. A person who takes the drug is able to stay awake for long periods of time. It can also improve focus, enhance self-confidence, and boost self-esteem. Since the drug is highly addictive, however, a person who abuses amphetamine may need to enroll in an amphetamine addiction treatment program to learn how to stop using the drug.
Like similar stimulant drugs, amphetamine increases the production of certain chemicals in the body that stimulate the central nervous system. As a result, heart rate and blood pressure increase while feelings of fatigue and appetite decrease. A variety of physical affects can arise from the use of amphetamine depending on the amount and the length of time a person uses the drug:
- Hyperactivity
- Vasoconstriction
- Dilated pupils and blood shot eyes
- Restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Tachycardia
- Bradycardia
- Hypertension or hypo-tension
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Tremors
- Arrhythmia
- Convulsions
- Increased risk of seizure, stroke, and heart attack
Amphetamine can also induce several psychological reactions including the feeling of euphoria, anxiety, increased alertness, increased libido, increased sociability, irritability, psychosomatic disorders, feeling grandiose, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and psychosis.
Factoid:
Amphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug with limited medically approved uses. Most amphetamine prescriptions are for children with attention deficit disorders. Amphetamine is also prescribed to treat narcolepsy and, in rare cases, severe obesity.
The Dangers of Amphetamine Use
"A person who uses amphetamine for long periods of time and in high doses is in danger of developing a condition called stimulant psychosis. "A person who uses amphetamine for long periods of time and in high doses is in danger of developing a condition called stimulant psychosis. This is a psychiatric disorder characterized by hallucinations, thought disorder, delusions, and catatonia (in extreme cases). The condition can also induce physical and behavioral symptoms including aggression, dilated pupils, seizures, sleep deprivation, vomiting, and tremors.
Treatment for stimulant psychosis typically involves palliative care until the symptoms pass and the person's vital signs return to normal. Afterwards, the person would be encouraged to seek amphetamine addiction treatment. If you or someone you know has suffered from stimulant psychosis and you want to find a treatment center that can provide amphetamine detox assistance, call our confidential helpline at 1-800-928-9139 for a referral.
Drug tolerance can develop quickly, which means a person will need to take more of the drug to achieve the same effect. Higher doses of amphetamine increase a person's risk of an overdose, especially if he or she injects the drug. Signs of amphetamine overdose include blurred vision, irregular breathing, rapid pounding heart, seizures, hallucinations, stroke, tremors, loss of coordination, and coma. A person who has overdosed on amphetamine requires immediate medical attention and should be taken to a facility equipped to handle medical emergencies.
Factoid:
A study conducted at the San Francisco General Hospital between 1975 and 1987 found that 25 percent of the seizures treated at the hospital were caused by consumption of amphetamine.
Other long-term effects of chronic amphetamine abuse include malnutrition, rapid weight loss, chronic sleep problems, reduced immunity to disease and infection, dental problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, heart damage, poor memory, and increased risk of stroke.
Amphetamine Abuse and Addiction Symptoms
People who abuse amphetamine may attempt to downplay or dismiss concerns over their use of the drug. In many cases, they will try to hide their amphetamine misuse or addiction. It is important to recognize the signs of addiction so you can assist your loved one with obtaining the amphetamine addiction treatment he or she needs. A person may be abusing or addicted to amphetamine if he or she displays the following signs and symptoms:
- Uncontrolled amphetamine consumption
- Feeling he or she must take the drug to handle life's demands
- Mood swings
- Loss of personal relationships
- Unable to stop using the drug without experiencing withdrawal
- Obsessing over the next drug dosage
- Loss of interest in other things besides amphetamine use
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Development of psychiatric disorders, like hallucinations and paranoia
- Development of sleep disorders
- Disregard for the consequences of irresponsible behavior
In addition to these signs, a person may also incur legal problems associated with amphetamine abuse or addiction. These legal problems can include anything from being arrested for driving under the influence of drugs to being prosecuted for possession of amphetamine without a prescription or the commitment of crimes to obtain the drug.
Legal problems related to drug use can have a negative impact on the person's life. To avoid these types of situations and live a healthier lifestyle, amphetamine addiction treatment should be obtained from a qualified professional. To learn more about amphetamine detox and rehabilitation, call 1-800-928-9139.
Factoid:
People between the ages of 12 and 25 who are frequently exposed to situations that encourage drug use have the highest risk of developing an amphetamine addiction.
Amphetamine Addiction Treatment Options
There are two ways a person can overcome an addiction to amphetamine. The most popular way is to immediately cease using the drug. Although it can be a challenge to get through the withdrawal stage of the addiction, this is the quickest route to sobriety.
Treatment Options
The best way to determine which method is right for you is to speak to an amphetamine addiction treatment specialist.
The alternative method to stopping amphetamine use is to gradually reduce the dosage amount until the person is no longer consuming the drug. It may take longer to get through the detoxification stage, but this method can lessen the impact of withdrawal symptoms. However, this method is not for everyone. If a person has medical complications that are acerbated by the use of amphetamine, then it may be best for him or her to quit taking the drug cold turkey.
The best way to determine which method is right for you is to speak to an amphetamine addiction treatment specialist. To find someone in your area who can answer your questions, call our toll-free referral hotline at 1-800-928-9139. If you prefer, you can also email us.
Factoid:
Drug testing kits are available that can be used at home to determine if a person has been using amphetamine. However, these tests are not capable of establishing whether or not a person is addicted to the drug.
Amphetamine Detox
The detoxification process is an integral part of amphetamine addiction treatment. During amphetamine detox, the body cleanses itself of the drug and associated toxins. This can take three to five days. However, it may take several months for the central nervous system to fully recover from the use of amphetamine. While you may no longer have a physical addiction to the drug after detoxification, it may take more time for the brain and body to begin functioning normally again.
Withdrawal symptoms can start within 24 hours of the last dose of amphetamine. A person going through amphetamine detox may feel excessive fatigue, hunger, depression, anxiety, and irritability. Nightmares and panic attacks may also occur. However, a doctor can prescribe medication that makes the withdrawal symptoms less severe and more manageable."A person going through amphetamine detox may feel excessive fatigue, hunger, depression, anxiety, and irritability. Nightmares and panic attacks may also occur. "
Depending on the amphetamine rehab center, the person may be put through additional therapies that support the detoxification process. Therapies that may be used during amphetamine addiction treatment include acupuncture, herbal remedies, and nutritional therapy. It is important to discuss your treatment plan with the addiction treatment professional to make sure it fits your needs.
Amphetamine Addiction Treatment
The most important part of treating an amphetamine addiction is overcoming the strong psychological attachment many people develop to the drug. Counseling and therapy is typically prescribed to help a person deal with his or her psychological addiction. The focus of psychological treatment is to help the person deal with the thoughts and behaviors that led to the addiction and to provide him or her with the tools needed to prevent a relapse.
In amphetamine addiction treatment, you can expect to explore the underlying issues related to the development of the addiction. For example, many people use amphetamine to lose weight. A woman who feels intense pressure to be thin may abuse amphetamine as a means to maintaining a smaller figure. Therapy can help people deal with the pressure they feel, which will help them avoid relapsing.
Counseling and therapy may also include the development of an aftercare plan that assists the person with maintaining his or her sobriety. This is particularly important for people who elect to participate in inpatient treatment programs. An aftercare plan is necessary to assist the transition from the controlled environment of a treatment center to the real world. Have an open discussion with an addiction specialist about the challenges you face in your life so he or she can tailor an aftercare plan to fit your specific needs.
Factoid:
According to SAMHSA, 169,500 out of 1.8 million admissions to substance abuse facilities in 2005 were for the treatment of methamphetamine and amphetamine abuse.
Amphetamine Rehab Centers
There are hundreds of amphetamine rehab centers that provide amphetamine addiction treatment. An excellent way to find the best one for you is to call our confidential toll-free helpline at 1-800-928-9139. Our operators are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions and provide referrals to addiction rehab facilities.
To help with the process of finding a treatment center for you, it is important to decide what you want and need from the facility. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to help you determine what kind of amphetamine rehab program you want to enroll in:
- Do you want inpatient or outpatient treatment?
- Do you only want help with detoxification or do you also want counseling?
- What services are important to you?
- Will you be paying with cash or using insurance?
- Will you need aftercare?
- Do you have co-occurring conditions that need to be treated? Some facilities may not be able to treat serious medical problems.
- Do you prefer a particular type of location, such as the beach?
- Do you have special needs that must be accommodated?
It may be a good idea to discuss your treatment options with someone who can provide useful feedback about your needs. Although you may want to enter amphetamine addiction treatment as quickly as possible, you should take the time to consider your options and choose a treatment facility that will provide you with all of the tools you need to become sober. It is possible to stop using amphetamine and live a healthy, drug-free life. Call our national hotline at 1-800-928-9139 or email us for assistance with locating the best amphetamine rehab center that will help you achieve your goals.
Factoid:
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are over 13,000 drug treatment centers in the United States.
What amphetamine withdrawal symptoms should be expected?
People who stop using amphetamines are often depressed, fatigued, and feel the need to sleep excessively. They may have increased appetite as well. During the acute withdrawal stage, addicts may also feel agitated, anxious, or have lucid dreams.
How long do symptoms last?
People detoxing from amphetamine will experience acute withdrawal symptoms ranging from three days to two weeks. Lingering symptoms, such as depression, may last months after detoxing.
Is attending a treatment center necessary to stop amphetamine abuse?
Although the physical addiction to amphetamines is not as strong as other drugs, the psychological dependency makes it very difficult to quit using amphetamines. For this reason, attending a treatment center is preferred. A rehabilitation center can offer medication to reduce withdrawal symptoms, but can also provide therapy and group support.
Is there any prescription or herbal medices to help with extreme withdrawal body pains and neusea