When people develop drug tolerance or addiction, they experience withdrawal when they stop using drugs. This reaction occurs when they abuse alcohol, addictive prescriptions, or illegal substances. Amphetamine withdrawal symptoms can be moderate to severe and lead to relapse. Because of that, people must find a proper medical detox program like the ones found at Serenity House Detox & Recovery when they want to quit using drugs.
Overview of Amphetamines
Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that come in both legal and illegal forms. The prescriptive kind treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity. Some brand examples include Adzenys, Dyanavel, and Evekeo. There’s also amphetamine in Adderall, a popular ADHD medicine that also contains dextroamphetamine.
These stimulants are legal with prescriptions but become illegal when people don’t have prescriptions or use them off-label. At that point, they become recreational or street drugs.
Although amphetamine is chemically dissimilar from methamphetamine or meth, the main difference is potency. Meth is stronger and acts quicker. This illegal drug is available in powder, crystal or rock, and liquid forms.
People who abuse these stimulants may swallow high doses of pills. If they crush the pills or buy the powder, they snort or dab it on their gums to get high. Some people create a solution with the powder and inject it into their veins. Others smoke the crystals or rocks.
In any case, abusing these stimulants for even a short period can lead to tolerance and addiction. When that happens, people suffer from the symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal if they try to quit using amphetamines. Sometimes the symptoms are so distressing and uncomfortable that they use again to feel relief.
Symptoms of Amphetamine Withdrawal and Duration
According to studies, irritability is the most common withdrawal symptom. Most people also suffer from aches and pains, depression, and impaired judgment. However, other symptoms include feelings of dissatisfaction, exhaustion, lack of physical and vocal animation, and slow reflexes. Physical agitation and suicidal thoughts are possible too.
These symptoms, however, vary depending on the type of amphetamines people abuse. For instance, meth withdrawal will have worse effects than Adderall withdrawal. How long they abused the drugs and their dose, age, and overall health affect withdrawal severity as well.
Also, all of these factors impact when the withdrawal symptoms develop and how long amphetamine withdrawal lasts. The first sign of symptoms could occur in one to three days after quitting the drugs. It usually starts with anxiety, body aches, fatigue, and unhappy emotions. Cravings are likely to set in as well, and heavy users could have hallucinations or paranoia.
These early symptoms can last for up to five days. Then, the effects worsen to a peak for several days before they begin to ease up. It can take up to three weeks for the worst of the symptoms to lessen in severity. After that, the most intense part of the process is over. However, some effects might linger for up to a year, including cravings and depression.
Tips to Get Through the Process
The safest way to get through the symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal is to seek medical detox. The doctors and nurses help people manage the symptoms of withdrawal and make them more bearable. They also monitor for and prevent potential health complications.
It helps to be patient throughout the process and get support from family and friends. Those whose loved ones don’t support them can rely on others in detox and support groups. Furthermore, medical detox programs offer counseling to help people address their problems. A holistic approach to treatment such as meditation helps you relax and focus on recovery too.
For instance, at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we offer a range of therapies. This treatment helps patients understand their amphetamine use and learn how to avoid relapsing. Our therapeutic methods include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
Get Help to Stop Using Amphetamines at Serenity House Detox & Recovery
Do you have a substance use disorder that involves amphetamines? You can get help to stop using the drugs at Serenity House Detox & Recovery. We offer prescription drug and meth detox programs. Our detox center also provides programs for other drug problems, including:
Serenity House Detox & Recovery takes great care to design customized treatment plans. To do that, we offer gender-specific programs and many detox services. Some of these include meditation therapy, family counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dual diagnosis treatment.
Don’t let the symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal keep you from getting clean. Visit Serenity House Detox & Recovery for treatment. Call 866.294.5306 to start the healing process now, or contact us otherwise at your earliest convenience.