Amphetamine Addiction Programme

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Meth (Ice) Addiction Treatment at Clarity Rehab in Chiang Mai, Thailand

What are Amphetamines?

Amphetamines are a central nervous stimulant. Their use results in an increase in certain types of brain activity, resulting in a feeling of higher energy, focus, confidence, and in a dose-dependent manner, can elicit a rewarding euphoria. Amphetamines were first synthesized in Germany in the late 1800s; however, their stimulant properties were not really discovered until about the 1930s, when they began to be used to treat nasal congestion.

As time went by, Amphetamines began to be used to treat a variety of conditions, from alcohol hangovers to weight loss. They were also used to treat two conditions for which it is still known today: hyperactivity in young people (including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and narcolepsy, a condition in which people fall asleep suddenly. Occasionally, they are used to treat depression.

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Types of Amphetamine

Multiple prescription medications contain Amphetamine or its two active components, including:

Adderall
Dexedrine
Vyvanse
Generic ADHD medications

Dexedrine is made from dextroamphetamine, which is one of the two active components of Amphetamine. The other component is levoamphetamine. Dextroamphetamine is stronger than levoamphetamine, and it’s even stronger than Amphetamine itself. Another well-known drug that is similar in structure to Amphetamine but much stronger in effect is methamphetamine – an illicit stimulant that has a powerful euphoric effect and is highly addictive and dangerous. In addition, the club drug known as ecstasy, Molly, or MDMA is a type of Amphetamine that has a mind-altering effect and can lead to Amphetamine addiction.

Amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction

Amphetamine addiction results in these drugs being abused in a number of ways. It is possible just to take the pills and experience a mild high that way. However, some people crush the pills and snort them, creating a faster, stronger high. One of the quickest ways to get high from Amphetamine or methamphetamine is to dissolve the powder in water and inject it. This method gets the drug into the bloodstream and to the brain almost immediately, creating an intense high. This is a key characteristic of Amphetamine addiction.

Students often abuse Amphetamine through off-label use as a study aid. These individuals consider that the high energy and focus that result from using the drug can help them perform better on tests and in school. However, an article from TIME discusses a study that showed students who use Amphetamines do not perform any better; in fact, they often perform worse. Nevertheless, the drug does make people feel like they can focus more and do better even if the opposite is true. More significantly, this level of abuse can lead to more severe, illicit use of the drug to get high and ultimately lead to Amphetamine addiction.

Amphetamine is a highly addictive substance. Because of the way it acts on the body, this family of drugs can cause changes in the way the brain behaves. In particular, Amphetamine addiction and addiction to other related substances can significantly alter the brain’s pleasure response, destroying pleasure receptors in the brain and decreasing the ability for the body to feel pleasure without using the drug.

The destructive properties of these drugs and Amphetamine addiction as a disorder make people who abuse them feel depressed and even suicidal when they are not using the drug. As a result, cravings to keep using the drug can be very strong, making it difficult to stop use.

Signs of amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction

There are multiple ways of recognizing Amphetamine addiction, including physical and mental symptoms and changes in behaviour. These include:

Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Decreased appetite and weight loss
Insomnia
Digestive upset
Mood swings
Aggression
Paranoia and anxiety
Visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations
Inability to keep up with work, school, or home responsibilities
Much of the person’s time spent seeking or using the drug
Missing pills from a prescription
Changes in groups of friends and difficulties with relationships
Loss of interest in previous activities

In the case of methamphetamine addiction, dental problems, skin sores, and severe weight loss are highly visible signs that the drug is either being heavily abused or that Amphetamine addiction is present.

Dangers of amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction

Along with the addictive potential, there are risks that occur when using Amphetamines for recreational purposes. These include:

Risk of injury due to taking on dangerous activities
Cardiovascular issues, including stroke, heart attack, and heart failure
Weight loss and malnutrition
Sleep problems

As described above, among the major dangers of using these drugs are the structural changes that can occur in the brain as a result. As described by a study in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Amphetamine addiction can lead to the destruction of gray matter in the brain as well as dopamine receptors, fundamentally changing the way the brain functions, which can affect the person’s ability to stop use and avoid relapse.

Effects of amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction on health

There are other short-term and long-term issues associated with Amphetamine addiction that are related to the effects of these drugs on the body including:

Increased heart rate and blood pressure
High body temperature
Loss of muscle control, muscle spasms, or tics
Sleep disturbances
Mood swings
Low appetite
Depression and fatigue when not using the drugs

In the long-term, these symptoms are often amplified. High blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels and the heart, while elevated body temperature can cause damage to organs and tissues. Low appetite can lead to unhealthy eating habits and then to malnutrition, which can also damage the body and brain.

With methamphetamine addiction these problems can be even more exaggerated, leading to severe dental disease because of bad eating and lack of saliva, which leads to major infections and loss of teeth. In addition, meth addiction can lead to skin damage due to hallucinations that something is “crawling” under the skin, leading people to pick at sores that then, due to damaged blood circulation, do not easily heal.

Other drugs commonly used by people with amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction

Many people with amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction engage in polydrug abuse because of the perception that other drugs enhance the effects of the Amphetamine. In particular, alcohol and marijuana are used. Sometimes, sedatives like heroin are used with Amphetamines for an enhanced effect.

Using multiple drugs complicates the ability to detox and recover from Amphetamine addiction. However, it is possible to effectively treat Amphetamine addiction or other similar drugs, as well as the polydrug abuse that often occurs with these substances.

Meth (amphetamine) addiction treatment at Clarity Rehab

Treating Amphetamine addiction can be challenging because of the changes in brain structure that occur with chronic use. The sometimes-severe depression and loss of pleasure that occur when use of the drug is stopped can be a major obstacle to avoiding relapse. Nevertheless, Clarity deliver all the mainstream meth addiction treatment therapies that help people understand and adjust their behaviours based on triggers of drug use that can contribute to the individuals being able to get and stay on the path to recovery. These therapies include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Family counseling
Addiction education
Peer support or 12-Step group participation

By accessing a reputable, research-based treatment Amphetamine addiction rehab such as Clarity, individuals who have struggled with Amphetamine addiction have a greater chance of moving forward in their recovery from Amphetamine addiction and starting a future free from Amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction. Please note that Amphetamine addiction does not usually present with life threatening withdrawal symptoms. Medical management of withdrawal symptoms is recommended though. Unsupervised detoxification is not advised without medical management due to adverse withdrawal symptoms. If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one who may have Amphetamine addiction call now to speak to an expert about assessment and treatment options.

Why choose Clarity as your preferred meth rehab

Clarity offers an incredible healing experience for our clients and their families that is second to none. Our team is comprised of individuals with years of experience who are all here for one reason. To help you realise, achieve, and maintain permanent long term recovery.