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How To Quit Speed

Speed, also known as methamphetamine, is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. Chemically similar to drugs known as amphetamines, speed has an intense and devastating effect on one’s body. Gaining popularity in North America over the last two decades, speed has become a nightmare for users and their families. Highly addictive, easily accessible, and potent, speed has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous drugs around.

Speed addiction ruins lives. However, it is never too late to get the help you deserve and regain your freedom from speed addiction.

What Exactly is Speed?

Speed is a term commonly used to refer to methamphetamine. A powerful central nervous system stimulant, speed works heavily on the dopamine receptors in the brain. Speed comes in many forms. Users often smoke, snort, swallow, inhale, and even inject speed for an intense “high.” Perhaps the most widely used and well-known variant of speed is crystal meth.

Crystal meth gained popularity during the 1980s and is primarily ingested by smoking. While much of the speed in America comes from criminal labs in foreign countries, the last twenty years have seen an uptake in domestic production. Many of the ingredients used to make speed are cheap household substances along with common pharmaceuticals. This makes the potential for abuse easily accessible. It can also be even more dangerous, as many meth labs use chemicals to cut their drugs including Drano and fentanyl. 

Dangers of Speed Addiction

The dangers of speed addiction are, in a word, terrifying. Speed addicts have the potential for some of the most dangerous side effects of any drug on the planet. Speed can raise certain bodily functions to dangerous, sometimes lethal levels. Respiratory, heart, and blood pressure rates are all raised by speed use. This can potentially lead to heart attack, stroke, seizure, and many other devastating side effects.

In terms of the brain, speed’s effects are equally frightening. Working on dopamine receptors, speed increases dopamine output to dramatically unnatural levels. This change can lead to paranoia, aggression, depression, anxiety, and even hallucinations.

In addition, speed addicts often stay awake for days or even weeks at a time as their brains and bodies cannot rest while on the drug. Mixed with the appetite suppression caused by speed, a healthy person’s mind and body can decline into chaos after just a short period of use. Organ failure is common in speed addicts, as their body often struggles to keep up with the pace of the drug.

How Addictive is Speed? 

Speed is highly addictive, with some users reporting dependency after only a single use. Because speed works so intensely on the dopamine receptors in the brain, one’s brain quickly becomes accustomed to the drug’s effect. This means that when a person stops taking speed, their brain will be unable to produce the same level of dopamine production, thus resulting in cravings, severe depression, and relapse. This cycle of use and abuse often consumes speed addicts’ entire lives until they have nothing. 

What are the Speed Withdrawal Symptoms?

Speed addiction can lead to a number of withdrawal symptoms once a user has stopped ingesting the drug. These withdrawal symptoms can be intense and long-lasting, depending upon both the frequency and volume of use for an individual user.

Speed withdrawal symptoms include the following:

  • Anxiety
  • Cravings
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Psychosis
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability 
  • Headaches
  • Muscle spasms

These symptoms can last anywhere from a week to many months depending on the user’s individual factors.

Finding Treatment for Speed Addiction

As scary as speed addiction and the withdrawal process can seem, there is hope. Every year, thousands of Americans regain their freedom from speed addiction and begin living the drug-free lives they were meant to live. By finding the appropriate support system, you can kick the habit and start living the speed-free life that you deserve. A proper system of support can mean all the difference between a successful recovery and tragedy. With the appropriate people behind you, you can mitigate your risk of relapse during withdrawal and kick your dependency for good. 

Begin Rehab for Speed in Nashville, TN

Here at Detox Nashville, we are waiting with open arms to help you take your first steps in your recovery journey. Located in Nashville, TN, we are a luxury drug and alcohol detoxification center specializing in helping both men and women overcome their addictions. We offer continued care through rehab services tailored to help mitigate your risk of relapse and to help make your healing journey as comfortable as possible. There has never been a better time to take back your freedom from speed addiction. Visit our admissions page today, and take the first steps on your journey to a happier and healthier life.

24/7 Help Is Standing By, Call Us Now.

24/7 Help Is Standing By, Call Us Now.