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Speed Addiction Treatment

What is speed?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word “speed” (among other definitions) as a slang term for a stimulant substance.  In most instances, the terminology is referring to amphetamine or methamphetamine.  These are one of 6 primary drug threats in the US today according to the DEA.  Additionally, the medical community views speed as a serious public health threat based on the annual reported cases of serious illnesses and death.  Speed is a powerfully addictive substance and tolerances build up quickly.

It is very easy to build up a dependency on the chemical and get addicted to it very easily.  Consequently, most of the addiction treatment and recovery facilities throughout the US now provide their clients with speed addiction treatment programs.  They go through a detoxification process and get weaned off of the drug.  After this stage is complete, they enter the recovery stage in the hopes of recovering successfully and returning home where they can maintain their new, substance-free lifestyle.

Side effects of taking speed

Speed has no medicinal or prescription value.  It is purely a recreational drug as well as being one of the most extensively distributed and trafficked illegal substances in the US along with cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and certain prescription medications.  There are 4 separate categories of side effects that result when a person is using speed  long-term, physical, psychological, and withdrawal effects – broken down as follows:

  • Long-term effects – anxiety, amphetamine psychosis, depression, serious heart disease, suicidal tendencies, and violent behavior are the most common long-term side effects.
  • Physical effects – the more common ones include anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, hyper- and hypotension, insomnia, restlessness, tachycardia, and twitching.  In the more severe cases of addiction, convulsions, heart attacks, strokes, and death from overdose are not uncommon.
  • Psychological effects – typically these include a wide range of effects including anxiety, euphoria, paranoia, better self-confidence and self esteem, feelings of power and invincibility, irritability, and aggressive behavior.  In the more severe cases of addiction, amphetamine psychosis can occur.
  • Withdrawal effects – for the individual that undergoes a speed addiction treatment program, the withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant.  Depression, increased appetite, and fatigue are the most common of these symptoms.  However, symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, excessive sleeping, and suicidal tendencies are common as well.

Finding the right speed addiction treatment program

With the numerous drug rehab facilities that offer speed addiction treatment programs today, the decision making process is oftentimes very challenging for the addicted person who is reaching out for help.  The Delray Recovery Center offers these types of programs and will be happy to provide you with further information on them.

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