Understanding Amphetamines
Amphetamines are a type of central nervous system stimulant drug that speeds up brain processes. They are most commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as ADHD, narcolepsy, or obesity. Common forms include Adderall and Vyvanse.
When taken, prescription amphetamines stimulate the brain’s production of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters affect mood, attention, and alertness. When amphetamines are introduced to the brain, thus speeding up these processes, users often feel euphoric sensations, increased energy, and improved cognitive abilities.
Amphetamine Addiction
Despite often being prescribed to treat certain conditions, amphetamines can be highly addictive due to their affect on the brain. Though amphetamines have similar effect as cocaine, these drugs typically have a slower onset and longer duration. Because of this, tolerance is a concern and can lead to users needing more and more in order to reach the same effects.
What’s tricky is that amphetamine addiction often co-occurs with mental health problems. Amphetamines are used to treat those problems, so when a person abuses their prescriptions, typically that mental illness only gets worse.
Amphetamines can be snorted, injected, smoked, or swallowed. The effect that it has on a person can vary depending on several factors, but in general, a person using amphetamines may feel:
- Happy
- Confident
- Energetic
- Talkative
- Euphoric
Other side effects of amphetamines that may be more noticeable physically include:
- Large Pupils
- Dry Mouth
- Increased Heart Rate and Breathing
- Increased Blood Pressure
- High Body Temperature
- Dehydration
- Teeth Grinding
- Reduced Appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight Loss
People who abuse amphetamines may also engage in risky behaviors, such as unsafe sexual encounters, using dirty needles, or operating vehicles recklessly.

Amphetamine Overdose
Amphetamine dependency is often a concern because it can lead to an overdose. When a person takes increased amounts of amphetamines, their brain develops a tolerance and requires more and more. Those higher doses could lead to an overdose. Symptoms of this may include:
- Chest Pain
- Racing Heart
- Difficulty Breathing
- Red or Sweaty Skin
- Seizures
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Panic
If you or a loved one is experiencing an overdose, it is critical to call 911 and seek medical help immediately.
Long Term Effects of Amphetamine Addiction
Because of the way amphetamines affect the brain, there are a host of long term consequences for using these drugs over an extended period of time. Though clients use recovery to get sober, it is likely that they will still struggle with long term complications even after stopping the drug use.
These long term consequences can include:
- Sleep Problems
- Dental Problems
- Decreased Immune Health
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Depression
- Increased Risk of Heart Attack
- Risk of Stroke
Many clients also struggle with financial, social, or relational problems that occurred during the addiction. At Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery, we aim to understand our clients and their lives so we can address any of these long term complications. Not only do we address physical, mental, and emotional problems, but we also work to help our clients get their financial and social lives in order.

Amphetamine Addiction Treatment Program in Marietta, GA
Though every situation is different, most clients begin their addiction recovery with detox followed by some form of inpatient or outpatient treatment.
Detoxification
When a person stops taking amphetamines, they will experience withdrawal symptoms that stimulate the need to continue using. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and painful and may look like:
- Cravings
- Increased Appetite
- Fatigue
- Vivid Nightmares
- Aches and Pains
- Depression
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
To combat these symptoms, seeking help from a detox facility is oftentimes critical. The main goal of a detox treatment center is to minimize discomfort of withdrawal with the help of medical professionals. This process may include different medications to treat withdrawal symptoms, but it allows clients to get through this initial stage safely and easily.
At Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery, we partner with the best detox facilities to ensure our clients receive the most effective treatment.
Inpatient Care
For some, inpatient treatment is a necessary level of care in their recovery journey. Inpatient requires clients to live at the facility while receiving treatment. This is the most comprehensive form of treatment. Though we do not offer inpatient care, we do partner with the best in the state if our clients feel that they need to live at a facility.
Outpatient Treatment
Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery is an outpatient treatment facility that offers a few levels of care, all of which are comprehensive treatments planned specifically for each individual client. Outpatient care comes in different forms, but the idea is to fit treatment into our client’s schedules.
Partial Hospitalization Program
Our most comprehensive level of care is our PHP program. Clients enrolled in this program will be at our facility five days a week for approximately four hours each day. These schedules are totally planned around the client, so services vary but may include a combination of:
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Medication Management
- Holistic Treatment
- Nutrition Management
- Aftercare Planning
PHP is a good first step for people who have never received treatment before or for individuals who are really struggling with their addiction. PHP is also a great option for individuals with dual diagnosis addiction and co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, and more.
Intensive Outpatient Program
IOP is a less intensive form of outpatient, allowing clients to fit recovery into their schedule. It typically involves visiting our facility 3 days a week for a few hours each day. IOP is best for clients who still need to work during the day or take care of their families.
Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery also offers an evening IOP track, perfect for clients who are unable to commit time to treatment during the day time.
IOP combines evidence-based therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), with other treatment options that promote overall wellbeing. These may include holistic services like yoga, meditation, mindfulness, or equine-assisted therapy. In general, our treatment plan providers work one on one with clients to decide how many hours is best, which therapies will be most effective, and how to promote long-lasting recovery.
Why Choose Thoroughbred Wellness & Recovery
Here at Thoroughbred, we prioritize our clients through a combination of evidence-based treatments proven to work and holistic activities that promote long-term wellness. Our goal is to treat the entire client rather than focusing solely on symptom management.
Drug addiction is comprehensive and complicated, especially when there are underlying mental health disorders that led to drug abuse in the first place. If you are struggling with amphetamine use, odds are there is a reason. And our goal is to find out what that reason is and address it so that relapse is no longer in the picture.
Our team at Thoroughbred values the healthcare of our clients, working to achieve long-term recovery. Through support groups, family therapy, therapy sessions, and our supportive environment, we know we can help you overcome prescription medication abuse today.