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Amphetamine Addiction Treatment

Written By: Erika Dalton, LCSW
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Rahul Gupta, MD
Last Updated: March 23, 2023

Home » Drug Addiction » Amphetamine Addiction Treatment

Amphetamine addiction can be more common than people may think, however, it is treatable with amphetamine addiction treatment. Treatment and recovery can be a difficult process, but it is possible to find healing. Buckhead Behavioral Health in Atlanta is here for you.

The category of amphetamines includes both beneficial prescription medications and dangerous illegal substances. Abusing any drugs in this category (including medications that are provided by a doctor) can be extremely harmful. Possible outcomes of amphetamine abuse include addiction, overdose, and death. Thankfully, amphetamine addiction is a treatable condition.

What Does Amphetamine Addiction Treatment in Atlanta Look Like?

Amphetamine addiction treatment at Buckhead Behavioral Health in Atlanta is a fully customized experience. This means that one person’s treatment may look very different from what another person receives. In general, though, here’s what you can expect when you choose our center:

  • During your first phone call to us, we will collect some basic information to make sure our programming is right for you.
  • With your permission, our admissions team can work directly with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage and verify your benefits.
  • When you first arrive at our facility, you may complete a more detailed assessment. We also give you a tour of our campus. This will help us determine which programs and services will be most beneficial for you, and help you get acclimated to the program.
  • Depending on your needs and progress, your treatment may take place at one level of care, or via multiple programs.
  • Before you transition out of treatment, we will provide you with a discharge plan to guide your continued progress. This plan may include information about community-based services that can be valuable sources of support in the weeks, months, and even years to come.

What is Amphetamine Addiction?

Amphetamine addiction or amphetamine dependence happens when a person develops a physical or psychological dependence on the drug. Amphetamine abuse can lead to lasting harmful mental, psychological, and physical effects including altering brain chemistry and neurotransmitter receptors. When this happens, amphetamine users develop a tolerance. This means they need more amphetamines to achieve the same euphoric effects. When a person that has a tolerance stops using the drug, the absence of amphetamine in their body will cause them to feel uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

When not treated appropriately, amphetamine addiction can be harmful to not only the person using, but everyone around them.

Most Common Amphetamines Used

Illicit amphetamine abuse typically involves one of the following three types of the drug:

  • Amphetamine
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Methamphetamine (also commonly referred to as meth or crystal meth)

People who abuse illicit amphetamines may ingest the drug in pill, powder, liquid, or crystal form. They may swallow the drug, snort it through their nose, inject it directly into their veins, or smoke it.

Versions of amphetamines are also present in several prescription medications. Amphetamines may be prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity.

Commonly abused prescription amphetamines include the following:

  • Adderall
  • Concerta
  • Dexedrine
  • Ritalin
  • Vyvanse

Signs and Symptoms of Amphetamine Addiction

The following are potential signs and symptoms of amphetamine addiction:

  • Increased energy level
  • Heightened ability to focus and concentrate
  • Elevated self-confidence and self-esteem 
  • Dramatic mood swings
  • Apparent lack of need for sleep
  • Diminished appetite and resultant weight loss
  • Rapid speech patterns
  • Tooth decay
  • Acting with uncharacteristic anger or hostility
  • Agitation and irritability when unable to use amphetamines
  • Needing to use larger amounts of amphetamines to get the desired effect
  • Trying to buy, borrow, or steal amphetamines that were prescribed to someone else
  • Visiting several doctors and/or lying about symptoms to get multiple prescriptions
  • Depression, paranoia, and psychosis

Effects of Amphetamine Abuse

Because of the highly addictive nature of amphetamines, there are many dangers of amphetamine abuse. One study mentions that amphetamines can destroy gray matter in the brain as well as receptors, which ultimately changes the way that the brain works. In addition, other risk and effects that amphetamines cause include:

  • Anxiety
  • Amphetamine-caused psychosis
  • Dental diseases
  • Legal problems
  • Confusion
  • Impaired judgment
  • Chest pain, Tachycardia or irregular heartbeat
  • Hallucinations
  • Dehydration
  • High blood pressure
  • Low appetite
  • Blurred vision
  • Cardio issues
  • Problems at school or work
  • Seizures
  • Coma

Benefits of Amphetamine Addiction Treatment in Atlanta

The potential benefits of participating in outpatient amphetamine addiction treatment include the following:

  • You can continue to live at home while you’re taking part in treatment, or you can stay in a supportive residence.
  • At some levels of outpatient care, you may be able to work part-time or attend school while you are enrolled in treatment.
  • You can practice your relapse-prevention skills in real-world situations during non-treatment hours, then process your experiences and receive focused feedback when treatment is back in session.
  • You can share support with others who have had similar challenges.
  • Your loved ones can participate in family therapy sessions.

Why Choose Buckhead for Amphetamine Rehab

There is no single ideal form of amphetamine addiction treatment. When you’re seeking professional care, what’s most important is finding the provider whose services are the best match for your needs, goals, and preferences.

Here are a few reasons why Buckhead Behavioral Health may be the right choice for you:

  • Our outpatient detox can help you complete amphetamine withdrawal safely and with as little discomfort as possible.
  • We offer multiple levels of outpatient care, including a partial hospitalization program, an intensive outpatient program, and outpatient rehab.
  • Our programming includes a virtual intensive outpatient program option, which allows you to receive quality care from the safety and comfort of home.
  • Your personalized care will include a variety of therapies and support services, all carefully selected due to their ability to help you achieve your specific goals.
  • Our team works diligently to ensure that our treatment environment is a safe and supportive place where every person is treated in a respectful manner.

Begin Amphetamine Addiction Treatment in Atlanta

Buckhead Behavioral Health offers personalized treatment for adults in the Atlanta, Georgia, area whose lives have been disrupted by amphetamine addiction. We also provide dual diagnosis services for adults whose struggles with addiction are accompanied by certain co-occurring mental health disorders. At our facility, all care is provided by a team of skilled and compassionate professionals. Contact us today to learn how we can help.

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