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What Is Speed?
Speed, a street name for methamphetamine and amphetamine, is considered dangerous. It’s known for temporary euphoria but can cause severe side effects like aggression and heart problems. Its popularity among teens and young adults leads to risks such as addiction and even fatal overdoses. If you or a loved one has become addicted to speed, Northern Illinois Recovery Center is here to help you overcome that addiction.
You may find yourself taking speed to decrease your appetite, while others may take it because of its seeming ability to increase focus and energy levels. Our qualified staff at Northern Illinois Recovery Center is available to provide a path that will lead you back to a clean, sober life.
Overall, speed has a profound effect on the central nervous system. In relation to other amphetamines, it has a great impact on the body in terms of euphoric effects and side effects. Speed drug effects typically produce an energized feeling when users take the powdery, white substance. The feeling that speed produces is similar to the effects of those felt from ingesting crystal meth.
Some of the common street names for speed are glass, crank, crystal meth, and ice. Speed is commonly thought of as a recreational drug. There are also medical reasons for the use of speed, which is why some people have a legal prescription for it. The prescription form of speed can be found under these names:
- Adderall
- Dexedrine
- Methylin
- Ritalin
When used for medical purposes, speed, in amphetamine form, is prescribed to patients who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, or depression. The prescription dosage is much lower than the illicit version of the drug.
No matter the form or reason for use, the side effects of abusing speed are the same. The end result of the abuse can lead to a wide range of health issues and even death.
How Is Speed Abused?
Speed can be ingested in multiple ways. In the form known as crystal methamphetamine, the drug looks like the name suggests — ice crystals. This form of the drug is smoked with a pipe.
Other ways that speed is abused are by injection, ingesting it orally, or snorting it. The effect is the same with all forms but the method of delivery may determine how quickly your body feels the effects. For example, it is common to feel the effects of snorting the drug within two to three minutes. The effects may not be felt for 15 to 20 minutes when the drug is taken orally.
No matter the form or method of ingesting the drug, speed is dangerous. The “high” is extremely addictive and creates the desire for your body to feel the same intensity with each use. When that intensity decreases, you will find that you have become entangled in a dangerous addiction to the speed drug.
Health Risks Associated With Speed
The effects of speed make it a very dangerous drug. It is known that even those individuals who take the drug as prescribed are able to become addicted to speed very easily. As you use speed, your body adjusts to the “high.” You or your loved one may feel the need to increase the amount or frequency of the dosage to continue to feel the euphoric effects it produces. This increased need can lead to a dangerous addiction.
If you or your loved one have a prescription for speed, caution is advised. For many reasons, it is important to take the medication version of speed as prescribed. Out of a precaution for creating a possible addiction, doctors who prescribe the drug should limit the length of time that you or your loved one remains on the drug. If you experience any type of side effects from taking the drug, you should consult your medical provider right away.
If you feel that you or a loved one has formed an addiction to speed, you need to seek help immediately. The Northern Illinois Recovery Center, located in Crystal Lake, is available to provide you with treatment programs for substance abuse. We are an evidence-based addiction treatment center in Illinois, so we understand that each of our clients arrives with a unique set of circumstances. Because of this, it is our goal to match the best therapy and treatment plan for each individual situation.
What Are the Side Effects of Speed?
What Are the Side Effects of Speed?One of the most common side effects of speed is its ability to quickly create a dependency on the drug. In either the form or reason for using speed — either as a medication or recreational drug — the effects of the drug can feel less effective over time. As a result, you may feel the need to increase the dosage in order to feel relaxed and calm.
Short-Term Side Effects
The decision to increase the dosage also increases the potential for an overdose or other speed-related side effects. These side effects can include such things as:
- Insomnia
- Dilated pupils
- Quickened breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Increased body temperature
- Increased heart rate or blood pressure
If you overdose on speed or mix it with other substances, you or your loved one may also experience
- Tremors
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Aggressive behavior
- Confusion
Long-Term Side Effects
If the speed drug is taken over a period of time, there are many long-term side effects. Short-term memory can be affected, as well as motor coordination. The changes that take place in the brain while using speed are irreversible. For example, the problems that develop with motor coordination have been found to be similar to those seen in someone who has Parkinson’s disease.
In severe cases where overdose occurs, you or your loved one may experience damage to your brain’s blood vessels, convulsions, stroke, or cardiovascular collapse. The potential of an overdose resulting in death is also a sad reality.
Treatment for Speed Addiction
If you or a loved one has formed an addiction to speed and is ready to commit to getting clean, we at the Northern Illinois Recovery Center can help. Our medically supervised detox plan that is offered at our treatment center will be the first step toward you or your loved one’s recovery. During your stay, you will have the support of our treatment specialists, who will be by your side from the beginning to the end of your treatment process.
The process of detoxifying your body from the speed drug is not easy. When you stop using the drug, the effects are felt after a short period of time. You may experience symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Muscle aches
- Twitching
- Exhaustion
The Illinois drug rehab process will begin with an assessment of your addiction. The admissions process will also include evaluating, diagnosing, and treating any mental health issues that you may be struggling with. If coinciding mental health issues are discovered, you will be entered into our dual diagnosis treatment program. This program has many therapy and treatment options.
Some of the most common types of treatment for speed addiction include:
- Talk therapy: This therapy is also known as cognitive behavioral therapy
- Holistic treatment: Can be used as a supplement to your primary treatment
- Inpatient and outpatient services: Allows flexibility in your treatment plan
- Individual therapy: Behavioral therapy is one form of individual therapy that works well in treating addiction to speed
- Group therapy: Therapy sessions with your peers and/or family therapy may be included in your treatment plan
- 12-step program: A group therapy program that provides much-needed stability and ongoing help to keep you accountable for your actions
- Medication and non-medication treatment: These options may be provided to help you control cravings
- Extended aftercare services: Once you complete your primary treatment, you continue to have the support of medical personnel and therapists to encourage your sobriety
Learn More About Speed Drug Effects
Northern Illinois Recovery Center offers treatment for speed addiction at our addiction treatment facility. We are conveniently located just outside of Chicago. Our addiction center is one that offers a comprehensive substance abuse treatment Illinois that includes detox, rehab, and aftercare. Our team focuses on helping you or your loved one with all stages of recovery.
From the moment you arrive, throughout your treatment, and then in your aftercare, you will feel the effects of your individualized plan. Our environment focuses on our patients’ safety and well-being. We offer a wide range of options to provide you with a new, healthier way of life.
To learn more about speed drug effects or to seek treatment, reach out to us at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. We are here to answer your questions and are ready to provide the help you need to take that first step. We look forward to speaking with you.
References:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/overview
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
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