Amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction

What is amphetamine addiction?

Amphetamines are central nervous system stimulants that increase energy, alertness and a sense of euphoria while reducing appetite and the need for sleep. This group includes speed, methamphetamine (crystal) and some medicines used improperly.

Methamphetamine is especially powerful and addictive. Its effect is intense and prolonged, and it causes rapid physical and mental deterioration. Amphetamine dependence is above all psychological: the person seeks to maintain the state of activation and avoid the crash that appears when the effect wears off.

Over time, use stops being about euphoria and becomes a need in order to function. Like any addiction, it can be treated and it is possible to recover health and balance.

Symptoms and warning signs

Amphetamine addiction usually shows fairly clear signs, both in behaviour and in physical appearance:

• States of great energy and euphoria followed by deep crashes.
• Prolonged insomnia and loss of appetite and weight.
• Restlessness, irritability and aggression.
• Intense urge to use in order to avoid the crash.
• Repetitive behaviours, paranoia and mistrust.

Physical deterioration becomes visible quickly, and the cycle of use and crash traps the person in a spiral that is increasingly hard to break without help.

Causes of amphetamine addiction

Amphetamine dependence arises from the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors. These substances strongly alter the brain's reward system, which reinforces repeated use.

Often, behind the use there is a search for performance, for energy to cope with long working hours, for weight loss or for social disinhibition. They are also used to escape from difficult emotional states. At Reconectar we analyse each person's specific reasons so that we can treat the problem at its origin.

Consequences of amphetamine use

Amphetamine and methamphetamine use causes very marked physical and psychological deterioration. Physically it increases cardiovascular risk, damages the teeth and skin, and produces weight loss, exhaustion and neurological problems.

Psychologically it can trigger severe anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, aggression and psychotic episodes. Depression is common during the crashes. To this are added the social and family consequences: isolation, conflict, work and financial problems. The impact on the person's life is profound.

Amphetamine addiction treatment at Reconectar

At Reconectar we treat amphetamine addiction with an outpatient approach that combines the Minnesota Model and cognitive therapy. The person recovers without hospitalisation, keeping up their daily life and with professional support throughout the process.

Treatment is individual and personalised. We work on the emotions and beliefs that sustain use, help to stabilise mood and provide tools to manage the urge and prevent relapse. The entire process takes place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with complete confidentiality.

The process includes

• A free initial assessment with no obligation.
• Individual sessions adapted to each person.
• Strategies to manage craving and the crashes.
• Support for the family within the recovery process.

How to ask for help

Getting off amphetamines is possible, and the sooner you ask for help, the easier it is to recover your health. The deterioration these substances cause is rapid, but so is the improvement once treatment begins. If you or someone close to you has a problem with amphetamines, contacting us commits you to nothing: we listen to your case and guide you.