Amphetamines are a type of drug, both legal and illegal, that stimulates a person’s central nervous system. When prescribed, they can be used to treat conditions like ADHD or narcolepsy, but because of their accessibility and wide popularity, amphetamines are extremely dangerous and widely abused. Many who cross the line from medically prescribed use to abuse require help from our amphetamine addiction treatment program in Nashville, TN.

Approximately 16 million adults in the United States currently use prescription stimulants. Of that 16 million, 11 million use them as prescribed, while 5 million abuse them. Not only is this number striking because it shows just how many people use stimulants, but it is also critical to examine that this large number of people prescribed these medications contribute to the abuse that we are currently seeing. This number does not include the millions of people who abuse illegal amphetamines, such as meth.

Because there is such a wide variety of legal and illegal amphetamines, the symptoms experienced by each user may differ depending on what they are using and for how long.

Though it can be hard to tell when someone is abusing a medication that they have been prescribed, it does happen, and often. A person may start off taking their medication as prescribed, but because amphetamines often lead to tolerance, they may begin to consume more of the medication in order to get rid of negative or unwanted side effects. There is currently an epidemic of college students who abuse prescription amphetamines, namely Adderall, to enhance academic performance because this drug allows them to maintain focus for long periods of time.

When used, prescription amphetamines can cause any of the following side effects:

• Heightened feelings of joy or euphoria
• Feeling mental/thinking clarity
• Enhanced self-confidence
• Increased sociability
• Increased energy
• Increased focus and longer lengths of attention span

When abused, however, the effects can become much more harmful. Abusers often experience intense weight loss, heart problems, memory loss, aggression, violent behaviors, hallucinations, restlessness, tremors, skin sores, and sleep problems. Abusers may also experience an overdose which could potentially lead to death.

There are currently about 1.6 million people who struggle with a meth abuse disorder. Oftentimes, when a person abuses prescription amphetamines and is no longer able to receive that medication, they may turn to outside sources. This can lead to methamphetamine abuse. Meth can be snorted, smoked, and in some cases, injected.

When meth is used and abused, a person experiences such increased levels of dopamine that a person will require more and more in order to feel those same effects that they once felt. In the short term, users will experience side effects like increased physical activity, decreased appetite, rapid heartbeat, and increased body temperature. Users seek the increased euphoria that is often felt as well.

Meth is incredibly addictive and can become addictive very fast. Because of this, users will often experience severe health consequences as they continue to use more. These consequences include:

Here at Southeast Addiction in Tennessee, we offer a wide variety of outpatient addiction recovery programs that are able to treat your every need. If you or a loved one are struggling, we can help pair you with a treatment team that will review your specific needs and situation and help to develop an addiction treatment program best for you. We offer several levels of care and a long list of treatment services to ensure that every single aspect of your life is addressed in some way.

Some of the treatment plans we offer include:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Our highest level of care allows each client to participate in daily services while still being allowed to sleep in their homes. We feel that this is our most effective program as it allows clients to work all day with their treatment team and with other clients in the program, helping to foster support and connection through a combination of holistic and evidence-based services.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): IOP is a step down from PHP and does not require the same time commitment. The number of hours a client will participate in depends entirely on their specific situation, but we typically see clients a few times a week for several hours. This option is great for clients who still have to work, go to school, or take care of their families. We understand that not everyone can put their life on hold to get treatment, and we don’t think you should have to choose.
• Outpatient Treatment: Though we do not recommend this level of care as a first step towards recovery, our outpatient drug addiction services provide the stepping stone needed to transition back into the world. Outpatient services offer continued support and a safe space for aftercare services if our clients need them but are not required.
• Detoxification: At the beginning of our client’s journey, we may feel that detox is an essential step. Detox is the process of helping rid our clients’ bodies of amphetamines in a safe, controlled environment. This is often a good first step and can help speed up the withdrawal process, making it easier to focus on recovery.

Each client will play an active role in determining which program is right for them, and they will also have many different individual treatment options to choose from. Our goal is to offer a combination of holistic and evidence-based services. In doing so, we are able to treat the entire person rather than only focusing on the addiction. Some of the options that you will be able to choose from include:

Utilizing any combination of these services allows us to promote total wellness within each client, provide them with outstanding mental health treatment, and help each person to develop skills and habits that are positive. With this, we feel confident that each person who graduates from our program will have the tools needed to combat life struggles, celebrate victories, and continue living without the threat of continued drug abuse.

Though we do not currently offer residential treatment, our long list of rehab programs and customizable treatment options work together to create effective, long-lasting services that ensure our clients are ready to maintain their sobriety outside of treatment. As a substance use disorder rehab center, we pride ourselves on being able to address amphetamine addiction alongside co-occurring mental health disorders successfully. We aim to provide each client with the tools, positive habits, and coping skills necessary to resist relapses and continue living a fulfilling life through long-term recovery.

If you or a loved one are suffering from any form of amphetamine addiction, call us today to schedule your assessment appointment and to find out if we accept your health insurance or what our upfront costs are. We will work to provide you with the best, most affordable behavioral healthcare, specifically targeting your individual needs and situation. We also provide upscale sober living homes to supplement your treatment program while you are enrolled with us. Don’t wait to hit rock bottom. Call us now.