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Getting Help for a Speed Addiction
Speed Addiction
A speed addiction often starts with recreational use. If you use speed or amphetamines for a long period of time, it may happen that you no longer function properly without speed. This could mean that you are dealing with a speed addiction.
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Amphetamines
Addicted to speed
Speed is the common term for amphetamines. The drug is often used as a "stimulant" and is therefore also called "pep". The drug is very mood-enhancing and gives you a lot of energy and focus. Speed is therefore often used recreationally because it gives you the energy to do things for hours without getting tired - like dancing and talking.
The drug is usually in powder form in a white or yellow color and sometimes as a white-gray or brown paste. Amphetamine or speed is often snorted, smoked, swallowed or injected. The duration of action differs depending on the way you have taken speed.
Other substance addictions
Effects of speed
How does speed work?
Due to the stimulating effect of amphetamines, speed is often used to enhance mood or performance. Speed has various effects on your mood and body.
Speed effects
The effect usually lasts between three to six hours, depending on the amount used and the way it's consumed. When snorted, speed typically takes effect within a few minutes, and when swallowed, it takes effect after 15 to 30 minutes. It's absorbed into your brain through your bloodstream and primarily affects the substances dopamine and noradrenaline. Dopamine makes you feel happy and confident, while noradrenaline affects your fight or flight response. Noradrenaline accelerates your heart rate and breathing, increases blood pressure, and suppresses your appetite.
Characteristics
Symptoms of speed use
People under the influence of speed are often very energetic and talkative, but they can also be anxious, irritable, and aggressive. In severe cases, you may experience delusions, psychoses, and paranoia. The most common effects of speed include:
Show Symptoms
- Happiness
- Energy
- Alertness
- Increased body temperature
- Talkativeness
- Rapid breathing
- Increased blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Increased libido
- Euphoria
- Suppressed appetite
- Tense muscles & jaw
- Dry mouth
- Dilated pupils
- Happiness
- Energy
- Alertness
- Increased body temperature
- Talkativeness
- Rapid breathing
- Increased blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Increased libido
- Euphoria
- Suppressed appetite
- Tense muscles & jaw
- Dry mouth
- Dilated pupils
Symptoms of Speed Addiction
Amphetamine use often begins as experimental use. When you feel like you can't function without speed, you probably have a speed addiction. The following symptoms are the most common characteristics in people with a speed addiction:
- Needing more speed for the same effect
- Long-term speed use
- Failed attempts to quit
- Spending a lot of time getting speed
- Craving for speed
- Not fulfilling obligations at work or home
- Continuing use despite negative consequences
- Giving up other activities
- Continuing use despite physical danger
- Withdrawal symptoms
Quitting speed
Detoxing from Speed
When you want to quit speed, it can be a big challenge. Due to the intense withdrawal symptoms, it is best to do this under supervision. If you suddenly stop using speed, you often experience various physical withdrawal symptoms.
Speed Withdrawal Symptoms
When trying to quit speed, you may experience a number of withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the amount and duration of your speed use, the symptoms can vary per person. In addition to physical symptoms, you often experience mental withdrawal symptoms from speed. The most common withdrawal symptoms of speed are:
Show Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Difficulty speaking or moving
- (Muscle) pain
- Anxiety
- Depressive feelings
- Irritability
- Nightmares
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Difficulty speaking or moving
- (Muscle) pain
- Anxiety
- Depressive feelings
- Irritability
- Nightmares
Consequences of Speed Addiction
Long-term use of amphetamines has serious consequences for both your physical and mental health. In the short term, a speed addiction can cause insomnia and depressive feelings. Speed can also cause damage to your brain and heart. Speed increases your heart rate and blood pressure, which puts you at risk of heart arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, or a stroke.
Over time, tolerance to speed can develop, meaning you need more of it to achieve the same effect. This increases the risk of overdose. Injecting speed can also lead to an overdose.
Treatment for Addiction
This page has been professionally reviewed on medical accuracy
At U-center, we understand the importance of providing reliable and accurate information to our visitors. That's why we have experts in the field review our website to ensure that all information presented is medically accurate.
Page Reviewed by:
Hans Zander
Addiction Specialist Doctor
Hans Zander is a dedicated addiction specialist at U-center who has reviewed this page to ensure that all information is accurate and reliable.