What is Amphetamine?
Amphetamine is a manmade drug, chemically related to methamphetamine which was first synthesized in 1887 by Lazar Edeleano to help with the relief of nasal congestion, obesity, depression, ADHD, and narcolepsy. Amphetamine acts as a central nervous system stimulant by increasing the activity of the nervous system and can also increase blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that in 2015, the most commonly prescribed stimulant type among people aged 12 and older was amphetamines
- 3 million people used amphetamine products
- 3 million people misused prescription stimulants
- 8 million misused amphetamine products
Amphetamine addiction has become a serious problem within the United States.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Amphetamine Addiction?
Amphetamine is a highly addictive substance that can negatively impact our brain’s behavior. As well as addiction, chronic misuse of amphetamines can lead to our lives becoming unmanageable with financial difficulties, legal issues, relationship conflicts, and declining performance in all aspects of our lives.
Abuse of amphetamines can also lead to short and long-term physical and psychological negative effects:
- Dry mouth
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Hypertension
- Increased body temperature
- Nausea
- Tremors or muscle twitches
- Chronic breathing difficulties
- Consistently irregular heartbeat
- Frequent bouts of dizziness or vertigo
- Malnutrition
- Repetitive motor movements (stereotypy)
- Skin problems
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Stroke
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Cognitive impairment
- Depression
- Mood changes
- Panic attacks
- Psychosis resembling schizophrenia, including paranoia, hallucinations, and skin-picking
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Death
- Nosebleeds
- Damage to your nasal passages
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis B and C
- HIV/AIDS
What is the Treatment for Amphetamine Addiction?
Often, the first step to treating amphetamine addiction is the detoxification process supervised by our medical and expert substance use disorder treatment team to help with the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Unpleasant and vivid dreams
- Impaired motor and cognitive functioning
- Agitation as well as dysphoric moods – the feelings of unhappiness, irritability, anxiousness, or dissatisfaction with life
After the detox process is complete, recovery work with substance use disorder professionals aims to change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to and maintain amphetamine use. This part of the recovery process is best supported in a residential level of care where there is around-the-clock supervision, intensive addiction therapy, and ongoing medical support.
West Valley Detox & Treatment Services is the premier facility for the treatment of substance use disorder and other co-occurring challenges that provides medical assisted detox and residential treatment. Our highly trained staff are committed to providing the highest level of care for you, and your loved ones.