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Amphetamine Addiction – Symptoms, Side Effects, How to Get Treatment & Rehab

Amphetamine – An Overview

 

Amphetamine is a drug commonly known as ‘Speed’, it is a stimulant and people often use it to give them more energy.

 

It is highly addictive because the effects of the drug allow people to become more confident and be happy in difficult situations. Some people use Amphetamine when going clubbing as it allows them to dance for a long period of time without becoming tired. For this reason, it can be easy to become addicted to the drug as part of your lifestyle.

There is no denying that overcoming any drug addiction is one of the most difficult things that anyone has to face in their life. It can be physically and mentally draining. However, once you overcome this addiction, you will have your life back and you will feel better than you ever felt before. If you are concerned that you have become addicted to amphetamine or that someone you love is addicted to this drug, we will provide you with the tailored advice that you need to access the correct drug addiction treatment your situation. We have a free helpline that is available to support families and individuals that are struggling to cope with the impact of amphetamine addiction. If you are ready to look at the different treatment options that are available to you or if you simply want to talk to someone that understands your situation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Call now on 0203 955 7700.

 

What exactly is Amphetamine?

In order to understand whether you or someone else has an addiction to amphetamines and how to get help for amphetamine addiction, it is first important to understand exactly what this drug is and how it works. This will help you to understand why it is addictive and why professional treatment is recommended.

 

Amphetamines are stimulants and they have an impact on the central nervous system. They can be prescribed as a health treatment for a number of different issues, for example, asthma, hyperactivity disorders like ADHD, and narcolepsy.

 

Adderall and Ritalin are two of the most common stimulant that doctors will prescribe for hyperactivity. While these drugs are medically intended for ADHD and other disorders like this, they are also two of the most commonly abused stimulant.

addiction-chemistry-close-up-460566-1-1024x768 Amphetamine Addiction - Symptoms, Side Effects, How to Get Treatment & Rehab

There are a number of different ways in which amphetamines are abused. The first is when the person taking them does not have a prescription and is purchasing them illegally. Another scenario would be when an individual has been prescribed them by their doctor but they are taking doses more often than prescribed or taking a higher dose than was recommended to them. Also, some people who are prescribed these drugs may crush them and then snort them so that they can have a more powerful high, and this would also be an indication of an addiction.

 

Is Amphetamine addictive? How addictive is amphetamine?

Amphetamine is addictive, and according to the World Health Organization, these drugs are the second most commonly used drug  by people aged between 15 years old and 64 years old around the world.

 

Why is Amphetamine addictive?

Understanding amphetamine addictive properties will help you to comprehend why you have become addicted to these drugs or why a loved one has. The brain is made up of nerve cells, which are called neurons, and they communicate with each other through the release of neurotransmitters. Amphetamines have an influence on your brains key neurotransmitters that are related to your levels of motivation, motor control, reward, blood flow, alertness, and attention. Amphetamines increase the impact that these chemicals have on the brain and the body. This means that they induce a feeling of euphoria, as well as creating a rewarding feeling that motivates you to continue using them. If you use amphetamines regularly, you will start to become tolerant to them, which means that you need to continue to increase the amount you take all of the time in order to have the same effect and this is how you end up being addicted. It is a dangerous cycle whereby you need to keep taking more and more in order to feel that euphoric boost.

 

What causes Amphetamine addiction?

While there is not a singular cause for amphetamine addiction, there are a number of different risk factors. This includes the following:

 

Employment factors

 

There is no denying that today’s world has become incredibly fast-paced and increasing demands within the workplace can cause stress. You may feel like you are unable to perform in the workplace to the level that is demanded or that you cannot get the job that you want. You may also feel like you need to maintain a certain persona or that you need to be perceived in a certain way in order to fit in within the workplace or to perform effectively as a leader. It can be tempting to take amphetamine in order to increase your sociability, confidence, concentration, alertness, and energy. While you may feel like you have achieved this in the short term, as addiction starts to take hold your work performance will suffer.

 

Life stresses and lack of coping strategies

 

A lot of people have stresses in their life that appear to build up and it seems like there is no end in sight. If this sounds familiar and you are struggling to tolerate stresses in your life, it can be tempting to turn to drugs because you are not aware of any other adequate coping strategies. Taking amphetamines may seem like a good idea because you are able to escape from the world for a while. However, you enter into a cycle, which only makes life more stressful and more difficult to deal with. Instead, you need to learn different coping strategies that can help you to deal with life’s stressful activities and do not involve drug use.

 

Social factors

 

A lot of people today start taking amphetamines because they want to lose weight. There is a lot of pressure on us to look a certain way. For men and boys, you may want to have a thin and muscled physique. For women and girls, you may want to look skinny like all of the models that you see on Instagram and social media. Therefore, you may have started taking amphetamines to improve your performance and energy so that you can achieve the physical appearance you desire. However, amphetamines can start to have a negative impact on your physical appearance in the end.

 

Genetics

 

If you have a parent that has a drug problem or a close relative that has had a drug problem, you are more likely to suffer from the same disorder. Naturally, some people simply have more addictive personalities than others, and these sorts of people need professional help so that they can overcome their addiction and start leading a drug-free life.

 

Signs of Amphetamine addiction

If you are worried that someone you love is addicted to amphetamine, it is important to be aware of the different signs and amphetamine addiction symptoms to recognise. While using some drugs may be easy for the user to hide, amphetamine is not necessarily one of these.

 

Talkativeness – One of the most common signs that a person is taking this drug is if they are overly talkative. This is because the drug stimulates the person’s brain and it can lead them to talk a lot and talk a lot quicker than usual. If you have noticed this in someone you love, it is likely that they have an amphetamine addiction.

 

Lack of sleep and lost appetite – You may notice that a loved one stays up for a full day without sleep and that they have lost their appetite. If you have noticed that someone you love once had a normal appetite and now they all of a sudden do not seem interested in food, especially on a prolonged basis, this indicates amphetamine abuse.

 

Trouble staying still – If someone is addicted to amphetamine, they can have trouble staying still, sitting still, and they may appear very fidgety.

 

Behavioural signs – There are a number of different behavioural signs of amphetamine use that you should look out for if you feel that someone you love may be taking this drug. Besides from becoming very talkative, you may also find that someone who has taken this drug becomes incredibly motivated when they are at work or school but then they all of a sudden struggle to keep up with their responsibilities. You may also notice that their priorities are not the same as they once were. People taking this drug may also experience difficulties with their existing relationships and they may lose interest in activities that they used to be engaged in. It is not uncommon for people to start doing everything possible to get more drugs once they have an addiction. This could mean that they try to visit different doctors so that they can get a prescription or that they start stealing money from others. In addition to this, when people are on amphetamine, they can overestimate their abilities and have an inflated sense of self-belief. If this is something you have noticed and is an unusual behavioural trait of the person in question, is very likely that they are abusing drugs.

 

Other signs to look out for – Aside from the signs that have been mentioned above, someone who has taken this drug will often have dilated pupils, their breathing will quicken, and their blood pressure will rise quickly. A sense of euphoria and fast heart rate, as well as increased body temperature, are other signs to be on the lookout for.

 

If you are worried that someone you love is addicted to amphetamine yet you are not sure and you do not want to risk destroying your relationship with them, please do not hesitate to give us a confidential call to discuss this in further detail.

 

Am I addicted to Amphetamine?

In order to determine whether you are addicted to amphetamine, there are a number of questions that you can ask yourself. This includes the following:

 

  • Do you have powerful cravings to take amphetamine?
  • Have you failed to meet obligations at school, home, or work because of your use of amphetamine?
  • Do you spend a lot of your time locating, using, or recovering from using amphetamine?
  • Do you find that you often use amphetamine in greater quantities than you intended to?
  • Do you often use amphetamine over a longer period of time than you intended?
  • Have you often wish that you could cut back on the amount of amphetamine use?
  • Have you tried without success to lower your use of amphetamine?
  • Have you had social issues or relationship problems because of your use of amphetamine yet you still keep using it anyway?
  • Have you used amphetamine when it was dangerous for you to do so, for example, when you were operating heavy machinery or driving, or in any other unsafe circumstance?
  • Have you had to abandon or reduce recreational or social activities because of using amphetamine?
  • Have you used amphetamine even when you knew it was worsening your mental health or physical health issues?
  • After using the same quantities of amphetamine for a while, have you noticed a diminished effect?
  • Have you needed to use more amphetamine to get the desired effects?
  • When discontinuing amphetamine use, have you experienced agitation, unpleasant dreams, excess sleepiness, inability to sleep, an increase in appetite, fatigue, or uncomfortable moods?
  • Have you resumed taking amphetamine or a similar drug to relieve the symptoms that were mentioned in the question above?

 

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you should give us a call today on 0203 955 7700 to discuss the best way to overcome your addiction.

 

What are the side-effects of Amphetamine addiction?

An addiction to Amphetamine can impact you in a number of different ways. Let’s take a look at some of the most common side-effects:

 

Physical side-effects

 

  • Increased body temperature
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Decreased appetite
  • Dilated pupils
  • Faster breathing
  • Dry mouth
  • Skin disorders
  • Malnutrition
  • Convulsions
  • Chest pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Cardiovascular system failure

 

Psychological side-effects

 

  • Too much energy
  • Amphetamine-cased psychosis
  • Unrealistic ideas of power and personal ability
  • Hallucinations
  • Reduction of social inhibitions
  • Altered sexual behaviour
  • Aggressiveness
  • Paranoia
  • Hostility

You can find out more about Drug withdrawal symptoms here.

How to beat Amphetamine addiction

There is no denying that overcoming drug addiction can be very difficult. However, recognising that you have a problem is often the most difficult step. The fact that you have found yourself on this page and you are looking for information regarding how to overcome amphetamine addiction is a great sign and it shows that you have already taken a step onto the ladder of being drug-free. We are here to help you continue on this journey and to ensure that you get your life back. We can explain all of the different treatment options are available to you, as well as giving you an insight into the rehab facility that will be best suited to your situation and your budget.

 

Amphetamine addiction: Which Amphetamine addiction treatment methods are available?

There are many different treatment options available to someone who has an amphetamine addiction. A health care professional will put together a plan that is most suitable for you. This will often involve a number of different treatments, some of which are explained below.

 

There are a number of different environments that are available to you when overcoming this drug addiction. Going to rehab, which is known as residential treatment, comes highly recommended and we will explain more about this in upcoming sections. However, to give a brief overview, this involves staying at a treatment centre for up to 90 days in most cases and receiving intensive addiction treatment services and 24-hour supervision.

 

Another option is outpatient treatment. This means that you will continue to live at home while attending a treatment centre usually at least once per week. This is suitable if you cannot reside in a treatment facility or have a less severe addiction.

 

You can also make the most of recovery support groups. These are free self-help groups that could be available within your community. We will be able to tell you about all of the different local self-help groups are available to you when you give us a call.

 

No matter what environment you choose, it is likely that some form of behavioural intervention will be used to treat your amphetamine addiction. This can include:

 

  • Contingency management

 

This is a type of treatment using positive reinforcement for achieving desired tasks and goals.

 

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy

 

This is a type of talking therapy that gives you the ability to identify and change unhealthy and negative thoughts and behaviours that contribute to amphetamine abuse.

 

  • Matrix model

 

There are a number of studies that have shown that this is a very effective form of treatment for sufferers of stimulant abuse. This is a time-limited instruction form of treatment that uses a number of different techniques, for example, self-help groups, relapse prevention education, drug education, family therapy, and group therapy.

 

The benefits of Amphetamine rehab

When it comes to figuring out how you are going to overcome your addiction to amphetamine, rehab is one option that you should consider carefully. While outpatient services are very helpful, rehab is largely considered the best way to overcome a serious drug addiction. There are a number of reasons why this is the case –

 

Focus on recovery

 

Attempting to overcome a drug addiction while you have work pressures and social and environmental factors involved can be 10 times more difficult. The amphetamine rehab process will enable you to focus on your recovery and your recovery alone. You don’t have to worry about potential temptations, pleasing other people, or work.

 

Supervised treatment

 

While in a rehab facility, you are going to have the assistance of a team of experienced healthcare professionals who have helped many people to overcome drug addictions. They will know exactly how to deal with the amphetamine withdrawal symptoms that you are going to experience so that the negative effects are minimised as much as possible and you are not tempted to relapse.

 

Support from other people

 

Another benefit of going to rehab as have the opportunity to meet new friends who are in the same position as you. This means that you have someone to turn to and confide in, and it can be very uplifting.

 

Tailored care

 

Every person is different and addiction can present itself in many different ways. This is why going to rehab is important because you will receive a tailored program that is based on your needs and the addiction that you are experiencing.

Find out more about:

Amphetamine rehab cost

One of the main reasons why a lot of people overlook rehab is because they are worried about the amphetamine rehab cost. The cost of going to rehab will vary considerably based on a number of different factors, which include the type of treatment you undergo and the facility that you attend. The average charge for a private rehab facility in a residential program is around £1000 per week. However, you may find that there are more affordable treatments available to you or you may be entitled to assistance under the NHS. If you are worried about the cost of amphetamine rehab, please do not let this stop you from picking up the phone and giving us a call. We recognise that you will need to find a treatment solution that is affordable for you and this is something that we can help you with.

 

Find out more about the cost of rehab: How much does Rehab cost?

 

Find an Amphetamine rehab center

If you have decided that now the time to seek help for your amphetamine addiction, and you would like to find out more about giving up amphetamine, we can help you to find the right facility for you. We have a large number of contacts all over the United Kingdom and in a number of other countries around the world. This enables us to make recommendations that are based on your needs, your budget, and your location, so that you have the best chance of fighting this addiction for good.

Find A Rehab Centre Near Me

 

Where to get help for Amphetamine addiction

Are you worried that you may be addicted to Amphetamine? Perhaps you have noticed some of the signs that have been mentioned in a loved one and you are worried that they could be addicted to the drug? No matter what applies, Help4Addiction is here for you.

 

We have a team of trained experts and they can provide you with all of the details you need regarding how to get help for your addiction to Amphetamine and the best amphetamine rehab programs for you. They have years of experience and connections with many drug facility centres across the UK and the rest of the world.

 

Our helpline is free to call, and we will be happy to assist in any way we can, whether you are ready to start your journey to recovery or you simply have a few questions about how to fight amphetamine addiction. The number you need is 0203 955 7700 or you can request a free callback via our website.

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Detoxification (detox) is the medical intervention required for someone who is physically dependent to drugs or alcohol. If required, medical detoxification would be the first step taken in residential rehab. Detox is used to prevent uncomfortable and dangerous (even fatal) withdrawals symptoms resulting in suddenly becoming abstinent from alcohol/certain drugs.

The goal of a medical detox is to aid in the physical healing required following long term addiction and rid the body of all together of substance whilst providing a cushion for unpleasant symptoms of withdrawals. Detox is not considered the whole treatment for drug/alcohol addiction and it is always recommended that a comprehensive rehabilitation program is used along side to help maintain long term abstinence.

Medication is often required for alcohol detox. If you are dependent on alcohol and experiencing withdrawal symptoms it is vitally important to seek medical advice prior to stopping. There is a long list of medications used when treating alcohol addiction and the exact medication given to an individual will depend on their needs/medical history. Some of these include;

  • Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
  • Lorazepam (Ativan)
  • Diazapam (vailium)


Librium and Valium are the most commonly used detox medication in the UK. All medication used to help with alcohol detox have been proven to help reduce the effects of withdrawal symptoms.

There are also a number of drugs recombined by the NHS to help treat alcohol misuse. Some of these include:

  • Naltrexone
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse)
  • Nalmefene
  • Acamprosate (campral)

Medication is always required for heroin detox. For someone suffering from heroin addiction, the thought of detoxification (detox) can be exceptionally daunting. Withdrawal symptoms from opiates, such as heroin, can be severe and include pain, vomiting, nausea and shaking.

There are different ways that heroin detox can be carried out, most usually either ‘maintenance therapy’ or ‘full medical detox’.

Attempting to switch from heroin to a heroin substitute, usually on a controlled prescription, is known as Maintenance therapy. Subsites used are most often methadone or buprenorphine.

A full medical detox from heroin will always be carried out in a residential rehab setting and will allow the individual to switch form heroin to a substitute and slowly withdraw completing treatment free of all substances. Someone using a heroin substitute can choose to have a full medical detox at any time, however detoxing substances such a methadone can often add to the length of detox required. Drugs most commonly used to fully detox from heroin are, Subutex, Suboxone and Methadone. Much like alcohol, the exact drugs used will be dependent on the individuals needs/medical history.

Once detoxed from heroin the risk of overdose is much higher following relapse due to tolerance following withdrawal.

The length of treatment in a residential rehab depends on a number of elements. Some substances require longer periods of detox than others.

Private paying patients will also often choose a length of stay that suites their therapeutic and financial needs. As a rule, a full treatment program in a rehab is considered to be 28 days (often referred to as a month), however, treatment is offered in several different ways and lengths starting at 7 days.

Treating alcohol addiction will always require a minimum of 7-10 days, this would be considered the detoxification (detox) faze. The length required for treating drug addiction can vary drastically depending on the substance being used. Detox for Heroin addiction is generally around 14 days minimum, with more time required if substances such a methadone are being used. Treating prescription drug addiction can often take the longest. The time required for treating gambling addiction, eating disorders and sex addiction will be based on the individuals needs.

Rehab programs can be as long as an individual requires but primary treatment is normally caped at 12 weeks, with the offering for further secondary and tertiary treatment thereafter.

*based on average rehab stays, everyone will vary dependant on needs and medical requirement/history.

There is no need for your employer to know that you are seeking help for trauma and addiction unless you choose to involve them with the process. All employers should have a policy that explains what you do if you cannot come to work due to illness – illness to include treating alcohol addiction/treating drug addiction.

If your work absence extends over 7 days your employer is likely to require an official statement of fitness to work which would be obtained from your GP. This would need to supply evidence of your illness as well as any adjustments required for returning to work, fazed return or reduced hours, but does not need to specify in detail the reason why you have been absent.

If you are absent from work for 7 days of less, for example entering rehab for a detoxification (detox) on a Saturday for 7-10 days taking a full week away from work, you can self-certify your illness by letting your employer work you will not be attending work for that period of time. Exactly how an individual would do this would be dependent on a specific companies’ policies on taking sick leave.

Any time longer than 7 days it is likely an employer will require a note from the individuals GP certifying their sickness and a fit note on return. Most companies have a clearly outlined policy on sickness and receiving sick pay so the exact requirement can vary. A rehab will always be willing to advise on time off work.

How much does rehab cost is a very frequently asked question. The cost of treatment can range from £1,000 per week upwards depending on the place, with luxury rehab being the most expensive.

There are free options available on the NHS but the waitlist of those looking for free treatment is longer than that for privately paying patients. Some private health insurance policies will cover treatment in some rehabs around the country.

Choosing the right rehab centre will often be based on priced but it is important to follow guidance on the most suitable treatment centre for an individual’s needs which our expert team of advisers are on hand to offer.

There are certainly pro’s for both treatment near by and traveling for treatment with one of the most asked question being should I get rehab near me? There are rehabs all over the UK and around the world that all offer expert programs, let’s look at how to choose a rehab.

Local treatment

Being close to home gives certainly has benefits. Visitors are normally permitted in rehab following the first 7 days stay, therefore if an individual is in treatment for a length of time longer than that being local will make it easier for loved ones to visit.

Most rehab centres will also provide a full aftercare plan for someone following treatment, this will include ongoing aftercare in the specific treatment centre. Living close by can make it easy to take full advantage of ongoing aftercare. There can also often be the option for ongoing care with an individual therapist, again being close by will allow that treatment to be carried out face to face.

Some individuals wish to be local but are willing to look broader, for instance the greater city of residence (London, Manchester, Liverpool, etc)

Treatment Away

Getting treatment away from home can be very appealing to some. Being out of the local area makes it a lot harder to just walk out of treatment as resources locally are unknown. Some also take comfort in knowing that they are not near home and focus more on treatment.

As the price for treatment can vary so much from one residential treatment centre to another, private paying patients often would rather travel to keep the cost down. Those using private health insurance may also have to travel to find a treatment centre covered in their policy.

When opting for treatment away from home this can be anywhere in the UK and also abroad. Aftercare can still be carried out and very successful using tools such as The Online Rehab.

There is no right or wrong when choosing where to go to residential rehab, but our expert advisors are always on hand to help provide information on all possible options.

Whilst millions of people in the UK have taken recreational drugs (amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, crack, crystal meth, GHB, heron, ketamine, methadone, and prescription drugs) and drank alcohol not all become ‘addicted’. Most recent reports show that 279,793 individuals were in contact with drug and alcohol misuse services in the last year with over half of that being from opiate addiction and a quarter for alcohol.

There are several risk factors invoiced in addiction and those using drugs and alcohol socially, simply take the risk. These risks are as follows;

Tolerance – basically, if a substance is used repeatedly an individual’s tolerance to it will build. This will result in more of the same substance being required to get the same effect. In the long run this can easily lead to addiction and physical dependencies.

Environmental risks – these can include influences such a peer pressure and stress as well as physical or mental abuse of an individual (particularly as a child). Overall, those who live with frequent pressures and stress are more likely to reach for a substance to cope and are therefore at higher risk of becoming addicted.

Drug type – it is very well known that certain drugs are simply more addictive than others. Using substances such as heroin increases the risk of becoming addicted for need to ‘chase’ a high as well as physical dependency.

Drug administration – how a drug is administered can affect its addictive qualities. A drug injected rather than smoked or snorted will release a quicker and more intense high thus making it psychologically (and in many cases physically) more addictive.

Biological factors – it is now widely reported that being an addict is not only psychological but also biological. This includes your genetic makeup, mental health, sex and age. It is also reported to be 8 times more likely for the child of an addict to become an addict themselves.

Its believed that addiction is approximately half genetics and therefore some are 50% more likely to become addicted than others.

How do you help a loved one trapped in addiction?

The first step is to help and encourage the individual to become willing to accept help. They do not need to be shouting this off the rooftops, but they do need to be willing to go into treatment. There are ways to help someone become willing to get treatment for alcohol or treatment for drugs.

Set boundaries – set boundaries and stick to them. Once you have laid them out follow through with whatever consequences you have set however hard it is.

Stop finances – if you are financially supporting someone stopping these finances can be the quickest way for the addict needing to ask for help. With no money to acquire a substance an addict’s options become very limited.

Intervention – getting together with other family members/friends/colleagues and staging an intervention is often very successful in the fist stage of acceptance and gaining an admission to residential rehab.

You can’t make them quit, this can lead to dangerous withdrawal. Boundaries are very important in helping someone become willing to get help. Unfortunately you cannot do someone’s recovery for them and without self-motivation it is very hard to make it work.

The next step is to call our highly trained advisers 0203 955 7700.

There is a huge range of rehab options available and where to start can be completely over whelming so let us help.