Amphetamine addiction is a serious problem that many people face. Although some amphetamine drugs are illegal like crystal meth, some are prescribed to patients for ADHD and other disorders. A person can become addicted to amphetamines without realizing it, and formal treatment will help facilitate recovery.
Who Needs Amphetamine Addiction Treatment?
Anyone who has become addicted to amphetamines will need this treatment. This means that someone who is abusing amphetamine drugs regularly, cannot stop using them (even if he or she wants to), and has experienced problems related to this abuse of amphetamines more than once.
SAMHSA states, “in 2005, 169,500 admissions were for primary methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse, representing 9 percent of all admissions.” However, this does not mean that every individual who needed amphetamine treatment received amphetamine treatment. Millions of substance use disorders go untreated every day (NIDA).
Am I Addicted to Amphetamines?
If you cannot stop taking amphetamines on your own there are programs that can help you.
Ask yourself these questions and consider whether or not you may need addiction treatment for amphetamines:
- Do you abuse amphetamines regularly?
- Have you ever lied about your amphetamine use?
- Do you obtain your amphetamine drugs through illegal means? These can include:
- Multiple prescriptions/doctors
- Faking or forging prescriptions
- Buying amphetamine drugs online
- Buying amphetamine drugs from another individual
- Have you ever gotten in trouble with the law because of your amphetamine abuse?
- Has your partner, friend, family member, etc. brought up your abuse of amphetamines to you and been concerned?
- Have you had a falling out with anyone over your use of amphetamines?
- Do you miss school or work regularly because of your amphetamine use?
- Have you ever been fired or suspended because of your amphetamine use?
- Do you feel like you need amphetamines to feel normal?
- This is known as dependence.
- Do you experience strong cravings, dysphoria, and fatigue if you suddenly stop taking amphetamines?
- These are the withdrawal symptoms caused by amphetamine dependence.
- Do you need more of the drug in order to feel the same effects you once did?
- This is called tolerance.
- Does your use of amphetamines cause many problems, but you still feel like you cannot stop?
What is the Difference Between Dependence and Addiction?
Not everyone who becomes dependent on amphetamines is necessarily addicted. For many, amphetamines are prescribed to aid in ADHD treatment. People can become dependent on these drugs and exhibit withdrawal symptoms when they are taken off of them. As stated by the NIDA, “physical dependence in and of itself does not constitute addiction, but it often accompanies addiction.”
So Where Do I Draw the Line?
Drugs like crystal meth are highly addictive and will cause problems for an individual’s health, wellbeing, and safety. But amphetamines that are prescribed to ADHD patients can also become addictive.
A person who needs addiction treatment is one who experiences many problems based on the drug and who has no ability to stop taking it. Addiction causes problems in your relationships, work life, school life, and legal issues that only become worse the longer you go without treatment. If your life is being hurt more than its being helped by amphetamines and you still feel as if you cannot quit alone, amphetamine addiction treatment is right for you.