Effects of amphetamine abuse on the body

Amphetamine belongs to a group of stimulants that act on central nervous system. These are known to bring along an incremental state of wakefulness, energy, attention, concentration, sociability, self-confidence, improved mood, and a fall in appetite. Medically Amphetamine is prescribed for ADHD and some other disorders. Amphetamine has a calming effect on people and is therefore often prescribed for narcolepsy, depression and obesity.

However, when overused, Amphetamine is addictive. A lot of people use Amphetamine because it supplements the ability to perform and overcome social inhibitions, making users take Amphetamine even when there is no demand for high productivity.

This is because Amphetamine allows the user’s body to surpass the body’s normal capabilities for creating energy, making the person feel powerful and alert. Quite often an Amphetamine user will not want this feeling to lapse. She/he will go on using Amphetamine until the body is no more able to carry on any activities. In fact this binge consumption of Amphetamine has the most devastating effects on the body.

Heavy use of Amphetamine may result in chest pain, convulsions and cardiac failure. A person using the drug is likely to be uninformed of the serious effects of the drug. It is only when a person stops that he/she experiences the full impact of the consequences. Repeat consumption and use of Amphetamine leads to a shrunken and malnourished physical state in the users. Considering the addictiveness of Amphetamine, the user suffers with extreme cravings on his/her attempts at giving up Amphetamine.

Amphetamine has psychological effects that show up in the user’s personality. When heavily used or when it is abused on the long run, Amphetamine can lead up to serious mental effects such as aggression and hostility as well as various forms of psychosis that can happen from Amphetamine use on the long run. There are situations when Amphetamine users experience hallucinations that trigger violence.

Withdrawal Symptoms

• Dryness of mouth.
• Headache.
• Hostility.
• Nausea.
• Impaired Cognition.
• Anxiety.
• Increased heart rate.
• Heart palpitations.
• Rapid breathing rate.
• Increased body temperature.
• Erectile dysfunction.
• Irregular heartbeat.

However, with the right guidance and patience, an Amphetamine addict can be brought to recovery. It takes a program that provides compassion and support as soon as the person approaches rehab. It will take time to rebuild his/her interest in life and the ability to create a new, sober life. Hope Trust India rehab program understands the needs of the Amphetamine addict and has therefore developed various methods that can bring an addict back from the brink of social and physical destruction.

Amphetamine addiction rehab mostly consists of hospitalisation, medication and psychotherapy. Addicts who experience really strong cravings as withdrawal symptoms are generally advised to go through Amphetamine withdrawal in a hospital. This is helpful if the case involves severe negative mood swings, and suicidal, aggressive behaviour.

Medication may be prescribed to ease various symptoms of withdrawal. In case of severe intravenous Amphetamine dependence Fluoxetine may alleviate cravings. Medicine such as Imipramine may be prescribed to help stay with the treatment for Amphetamine dependence. Issues like aggression and anxiety resulting as withdrawal can have its own set of medications.

Therapy is also very useful for coming off Amphetamine addiction. Therapy begins with certain generic factors such as these:

• Understanding the reason for taking drugs.
• Clearing issues that lead to drug use.
• Re-bonding with family.
• Learning to not use Amphetamine at all.
• Replace drug use with other activities.
• Find others who have been using Amphetamine. Nothing works like an understanding peer group whose aim is also to come off Amphetamine.