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It can lead to social isolation as individuals prioritize drug use over spending what is alcoholism time with family members and friends. Employment and academic performance suffer due to decreased productivity and focus. Amphetamine addiction takes a heavy toll on individuals, affecting their physical health, mental well-being, and personal lives. Addressing and treating this addiction is essential due to the profound impacts it has across various aspects of a person’s existence. In addition, continued use of amphetamines can alter the brain’s reward system, making it less responsive to natural rewards like food or social interactions.
Physical symptoms of amphetamine addiction may include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, excessive sweating, and decreased appetite. Additionally, individuals may experience weight loss, sleep disturbances, dental problems, and skin issues. Furthermore, individuals with a history of mental health disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression, may be more vulnerable to developing an addiction. Amphetamines, when used without proper medical guidance, can provide temporary relief from symptoms, leading some individuals to self-medicate and inadvertently fall into the trap of addiction. Amphetamine addiction is a serious issue that affects individuals worldwide.
For Loved Ones: How to Support a Loved One’s Mental Health
Connecting individuals in recovery with those who have successfully navigated the path to sobriety can provide hope and inspiration. Peer mentors can share their personal stories, offer practical advice, and serve as role models, demonstrating that a fulfilling life without substances is possible. In some cases, medications may be used in conjunction with behavioral therapies to help manage the symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal and cravings.
How to help someone who is suffering with an amphetamine addiction
The opioid epidemic during the late 2000s and early 2010s was partially a result of pharmaceutical companies exploiting the lucrative nature of addictive drugs (16, 17). In fact, opioids were promoted in some cases for common conditions for which opioids are more likely to harm than help, such as low-back pain and fibromyalgia. As a result, record levels of addiction were met on an individual level, while record sales and profits from opioids were met at a pharmaceutical level (16, 18). According to FDA manufacturer surveys, by 1962, US production reached an estimated kg of amphetamine salts (20). Amphetamine is a powerful stimulant that quickly leads to dependence, affecting both physical and mental health.
How to spot the signs of Xanax addiction
Doctors prescribe amphetamines for conditions such as ADHD, obesity, narcolepsy, and depression. Misusing amphetamines, or taking them in a different way than a doctor prescribes, can lead to amphetamine addiction. Another study, published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, reports on the amount of drug misuse in college-age young adults. It found that, in 2018, the number of college students misusing drugs like Adderall, which is a type of amphetamine, was 11.1% of all enrolled students. By comparison, just 8.1% of all young people the same age but not in college used the drug.
- They can be taken orally, crushed up and snorted, or diluted and injected intravenously.
- Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD can increase the risk of amphetamine misuse.
Methamphetamine is hepatically metabolized and renally eliminated, similarly to amphetamine. Amphetamine addiction can rob you of your health, your dignity, and your hope for a better tomorrow. At Blue Ridge Mountain Recovery Center, you will reconnect with your best self, and begin to build the foundation for a more promising future. Talyer Hackett is a medical writer and researcher with 10+ years of experience, holding B.A. Emily Doe is a medical writer with 8+ years of experience, holding a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English from the University of Leeds.
Is amphetamine addiction common?
Amphetamines are safe when used as prescribed but are highly addictive when abused. Treatment Specialists at Amphetamines.com can help you find treatment options that will work with your insurance and lifestyle. Amphetamine addiction is a growing concern in Nevada, particularly in the Las Vegas area, where approximately 2.2% of adults report using methamphetamine regularly, as reported by SAMHSA. The best way to treat an addiction is to seek the aid of a professional treatment facility. Amphetamines are basic substances, when they are being passed out through the kidney, how alkaline or acidic the urine determines the half-life and how long it will be metabolized.
- Computed tomography of the head is also useful to assess hemorrhagic stroke as a potential cause of neurologic deficits.
- The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- The short-term and long-term effects of amphetamine use can be devastating.
- Yes, amphetamine addiction increases the risk of infectious diseases, especially if the drug is injected.
- Group therapy is a significant part of treatment plans at The Recovery Village and other treatment centers.
One of our support team can go through the signs and symptoms of amphetamine addiction with you, and they’ll be able to answer any questions or concerns you have. Inpatient or residential treatment programs provide a structured, 24-hour environment where individuals can focus solely on their recovery. These programs typically include a combination of individual and group therapy, medical supervision, and access to a range of supportive services. Inpatient treatment can be particularly beneficial for those with severe addictions or co-occurring mental health conditions.
Yet, when used by those who don’t require it, it can be life-threatening. It is important to note that there is a significant lack of longitudinal studies regarding long-term efficacy or addiction in the area of prescription stimulants. High doses of amphetamine can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as potential heart problems like cardiac failure or a heart attack. Other effects may include psychosis, paranoid delusions, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, and neurological issues. Sustained amphetamine abuse wreaks havoc on both physical well-being and mental health. This detrimental impact encompasses a spectrum of complications, ranging from disrupted eating habits to cardiovascular deterioration and significant alterations in brain structure and function.
They treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. They’re also sometimes used by medical professionals to treat other disorders. This is not the same as substance dependency — the physical symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal. “Addiction” is the term for long-term behavioral, physical, and social changes a person may experience as a result of substance misuse. Misuse of prescription drugs, including amphetamines, can lead to addiction.