Amphetamine addiction treatment

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Synthetic drugs in general and Amphetamine drugs in particular are being abused and seriously affecting the health and society of many countries around the world. Amphetamine addiction treatment involves the use of pharmacological or psychosocial interventions.

Drug Amphetamine is one of the synthetic drugs including amphetamine, dexamphetamine, methamphetamine. These are central nervous system stimulants and cause feelings of euphoria, pleasure, reduce fatigue, ... often used to treat obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, somnolence ..
Amphetamine drugs in particular and synthetic drugs in general have been abused and illegally produced. Long-term use of high doses of amphetamines can cause hallucinations, delusions, and dependence, leading to addiction or intoxication.

1. Effects of Amphetamine Addiction

Acute: Long-term use of amphetamine-type substances can increase concentration, alertness, excitement, paranoia, feelings of happiness, and euphoria, which can lead to exhaustion, fatigue, and drowsiness. . Poisoning: Using an overdose of Amphetamine can cause poisoning with manifestations such as shaking, nervousness, sweating, angina, increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea - vomiting, diarrhea, delirium. Amphetamine overdose can also cause muscle stiffness, high fever over 40 degrees Celsius, convulsions, kidney failure, stroke. Chronic: Long-term use of amphetamine-type substances causes schizophrenia with paranoia, depression leading to suicide. Psychosis due to prolonged use of Amphetamine drugs can be reversible, but it can be delayed from a few days to a few weeks, even up to several months with amnesia, delusions. Withdrawal syndrome: Stopping amphetamine use suddenly can make depression worse.

2. Principles of intervention and treatment of drug addiction in the form of Amphetamine

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the intervention and treatment of Amphetamine addiction should follow the following principles:
Amphetamine use disorders, although complex, can be treated and impacted. to the brain, the behavior of the patient. Specific screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning should be carried out prior to intervention. Amphetamine abuse interventions need to be evidence-based. There is no single intervention that responds well to all patients. Substance addiction treatment interventions must be available. To meet the changing needs of each individual patient, the treatment plan should be continuously evaluated and adjusted. Mobilize family and community to participate in treatment towards the benefit of the patient.

3. Amphetamine addiction treatment

Depending on the treatment purpose, there are different interventions such as:
Treatment of poisoning or overdose using Amphetamine: Drug treatment. Treatment to reduce Amphetamine use: Medication or psychosocial therapies. Treatment of psychiatric disorders in patients using Amphetamine: Using drugs or psychosocial therapies. 3.1 Drugs that reduce Amphetamine use Although the use of drugs to treat addiction to Amphetamine-type substances is unclear, however, certain medications can be used to reduce Amphetamine use, include:
D-amphetamine: Mildly reduced withdrawal symptoms and levels of addiction, but did not reduce the frequency of use. Methylphenidate: Decreased amphetamine use, evaluated intravenously and urinalysis was negative. Bupropion: Reduce Amphetamine use in patients taking small amounts. Mirtazapine: Reduction in Amphetamine use combined with counseling, as assessed by a negative urine test, decreased high-risk sexual behavior. Naltrexone: Reduces Amphetamine use and may help keep patients off. 3.2 Psychosocial therapy in the treatment of Amphetamine addiction The abuse of Amphetamine substances leading to addiction can be caused by many causes, including psychosocial factors such as conflicts with family and friends. , is a person who sells or uses drugs. At that time, psychological therapies are designed and put into appropriate treatment for each patient. In the process of intervention to treat substance addiction with psychotherapies, attention should be paid to:
Help the patient understand the effects of psychotherapy. harmful effects of amphetamine substances, so it is necessary to keep away from use, helping patients to set life goals. Besides counseling, it is important to consider other issues of the patient including marriage, family, work, economic status and social relationships. Create a non-discriminatory environment by counseling family, friends, and colleagues to support the patient. Interventions to treat drug addiction in the form of Amphetamine with psychosocial therapies include:
Brief counseling: Helping patients understand the impact and effects of Amphetamine substances. Short interventions: Encourage and motivate patients to receive treatment at high-level facilities. Matrix intensive intervention for outpatients: Helps patients develop the necessary skills to stop using and not reusing synthetic drugs in general, and Amphetamine-type substances in particular. Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Helps patients change feelings, thoughts, and behaviors related to amphetamine use. Community therapy: Relying on community or self-help groups as behavior modification therapy. Intensive rehabilitation program: Combined family and community as behavior modification therapy. Family intervention therapy: The role of the family is enhanced in the patient's recovery from treatment for amphetamine addiction. 12-Step Therapy: Based on 12-step principles and self-help principles to empower patients to develop themselves. Case management: Patient cases in need of effective treatment are managed appropriately. Motivational interviewing and motivational therapy: Through a process of self-awareness that enhances behavior regulation. Positive behavior management: Using reward in conjunction with other treatment models to reinforce discontinuation of synthetic drugs.

In addition, a number of other methods such as acupuncture or treatment with traditional medicine have also been applied as measures to support treatment or encourage patients to participate in treatment.
Treatment for amphetamine addiction can include treatment of symptoms of intoxication or overdose, treatment to reduce use, and treatment of psychosis in patients using amphetamines.

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