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Amphetamine is a commonly used stimulant which can be abused and become highly addictive if used in excess. Detox is the first step of rehab treatment to withdraw from and overcome amphetamine addiction.
Although it is consumed to increase energy, feel alert and become more socialable, amphetamine abuse can also cause a number of negative consequences such as aggressiveness, agitation, and in serious cases, cause users to hallucinate.
Learn more about the amphetamine detox process and what to expect during detox here.
At Rehab Clinics Group, we are here to help those who are trying to break free from the devastating cycle of drug addiction. If you, a relative or a friend is suffering from an amphetamine addiction and would like more information on treatment options including detox, get in touch with us today.
By undertaking a detox at a rehab facility, you can get your body and mind back to full health and live a life that’s free from drug use. The detox process will take around 7-10 days dependent on the severity of your addiction as well as your age and weight, and with determination and courage, you have the strength to succeed.
Commonly referred to as ‘speed’, there are many different kinds of amphetamines that are abused, such as Benzedrine and Dexedrine. These drugs can be taken orally, intravenously or through nasal ingestion, with strong mental and physical side effects that have a damaging effect on the body.
The user initially feels a ‘high’ or ‘buzz’ which has short-term effects, meaning that more of the drug needs to be consumed for a sustained effect. Over time, a very strong physical and psychological addiction to amphetamines can take hold.
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Are you suffering from Amphetamine Addiction and need help? If so, Rehab Clinics Group are a leading UK based expert in alcohol rehabilitation treatment. Find out how we can help by getting in touch with our friendly team today. Call our confidential helpline on 0800 470 0382 or request a callback by clicking on the button below.
What are the Signs of Amphetamine Addiction?
Amphetamine addiction can cause a variety of physical and behavioural changes to those who use it. Although it can cause desirable effects in users such as feeling energised, alert and chatty, it can also cause a number of negative side effects.
How Amphetamine, or speed, is consumed is also often a sign of addiction. Users snort, crush, ‘bomb’ and inject amphetamines, which are all signs of drug abuse.
Physical signs of an addiction to amphetamines include the following:
- Increased blood pressure
- Sweats
- Decrease in libido
- Raised pulse
- Stomach pain
- Disinterest in food
- Feeling sick
- Weight loss
- Blurry vision and disorientation
- Dry mouth
- Teeth grinding
Psychological signs of an addiction to amphetamines include:
- Mood swings
- Feeling irritable
- Delusions
- Paranoia and anxiety
- Depression
What Should I Expect During Amphetamine Detox?
Amphetamines create chemical changes in a user’s brain, causing them to think and behave irrationally. A detox forces the body and mind to withdrawal from amphetamines, and the process lasts until the brain is no longer tolerant to the drug’s presence in the bloodstream and the chemical changes to the brain cease. In some cases, people experience a ‘fight or flight’ response when the detox first begins.
This is because the brain has become so adjusted and tolerant to amphetamines that it struggles to function properly without them. During this time, withdrawal symptoms may occur that give the impression that their normal cognitive functions are not working properly. These withdrawal effects include:
- Intense drug cravings
- Hallucinations
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling dizzy
- Insomnia
- Unpleasant dreams
As withdrawal symptoms from stimulants can be uncomfortable to experience, in amphetamine rehab you will be surrounded by addiction recovery specialists and medical staff to help you throughout the entire process. Medications can be provided to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms and you will be surrounded with support.
How Long Does an Amphetamine Detox Last?
If you decide on entering a facility through Rehab Clinics Group, you’ll need to undergo an assessment before the detox process begins. You’ll be asked questions about how you became addicted to amphetamines, whether you have any underlying mental health issues, and how drugs have impacted your life.
Your answers will determine the kind of treatment and support you receive. It is important to be patient through the recovery process, as you may not see results instantly and it can take your body weeks, even months, to feel normal again. This is natural and you shouldn’t feel disheartened.
Below is a more detailed outline of the various stages of the detox process:
Day 1 – Day 3
This is the stage at which your body will be having the strongest cravings, as it has become tolerant to amphetamines in your system and relies on them to function normally. Most people experience mood swings, including very low moods, as well as trouble sleeping.
Some people feel the need to sleep a lot and are able to do so, while others struggle to sleep and suffer from insomnia. In more severe cases, you may experience hallucinations and paranoia. This is normal and you can rest assured that when you’re undergoing detox in private rehab, you will be supported and monitored at all times to make sure you are safe.
Day 4 – Day 7
Although you may feel very tired, you should feel relieved that it is only upward from here. The worst part of the detox is over, but your cravings may still be very strong. You will be counselled and advised on how to overcome your cravings to prevent relapse.
Day 8 – Day 10
Up until now, you may not have had much appetite, but this should start to pick up again in your second week of amphetamine detox. You may also have difficulty sleeping, either through insomnia or uncomfortable dreams. This is perfectly normal and will ease in time.
Day 10+
The amphetamines will be out of your system for good and you should notice that your cravings start to ease as your body slowly adjusts to a drug-free life. You will still need to closely monitor your cravings to avoid relapse, but for the most part, the difficult part of the detox process is over. From here you will be taught how to stay focused and on track with your recovery.
Other Treatments for Amphetamine Addiction
The most common way of treating amphetamine addiction in rehab is through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and group therapy sessions. These comprehensive therapy sessions are designed to make you change the way you think about drugs, so you change your relationship with them. These sessions are normally held with a counsellor or therapist who you can speak to, should you have any questions or have a setback.
Other methods include involving relatives in family therapy, in which those you love have a chance to air their feelings about your amphetamine addiction and why they felt you needed rehab.
It also gives you an opportunity to express how you are feeling. Many rehab facilities also do this type of therapy with a group of patients together in the same group, knowing that they all have the problem of addiction in common and can therefore sympathise with one another and offer one another support.
These methods of rehab are typically offered alongside a detox programme, depending on the seriousness of the patient’s addiction.
The recommended length of treatment to treat amphetamine addiction is 28 days+, so you have the opportunity to fully invest in your detox process as well as treat your mental addiction too.
Get in touch with the specialist team at Rehab Clinics Group to find out more about our admissions process or to start your recovery journey today.
