The Discovery House (TDH) based in Reseda, California, discusses the differences of amphetamines vs methamphetamines and the impact they have on those struggling with addiction. Discovery House provides individuals with the support they need when navigating both detox, addiction, and the recovery process itself.

It can be hard to distinguish amphetamines and methamphetamines from each other as they are both considered stimulants and Schedule 2 drugs. Despite this, there are many serious differences between the two and their uses, as well as the long-term consequences of abuse. Amphetamines are composed of prescription stimulants. They are the weakest stimulants, and are sometimes prescribed to treat conditions like ADHD, narcolepsy, or for weight loss. They are typically found in a tablet or capsule form and taken orally. If someone were to abuse these medications, they may snort, smoke, or inject them. All legal amphetamines are prescriptions, but not all prescription stimulants are amphetamines. Common types of amphetamines are Adderall, Dexedrine, and Vyvanse. Amphetamines are very commonly abused by people who take them to enhance their focus. This often means they are used for staying awake for longer or for boosting cognitive functioning, common in college students or working people. Sometimes this also provides a small high from the excess dopamine released. The addiction potential of medicinal amphetamines is also usually higher in those who use it for non-prescribed reasons.

Methamphetamine is a form of amphetamine, and has a similar molecular structure, as well as similar mechanisms of how they work. They have similar effects of euphoria and added energy. Meth not only increases the levels of dopamine in the brain but also blocks its reuptake, which leads to too much dopamine in the brain. Methamphetamine has many different names and can be ingested in a multitude of different ways, such as smoking, snorting, swallowing, or injecting. The method of using meth will determine how it looks and what form it is in. The Discovery House provides a detailed list of side effects and signs which indicate a person may be using, which is a valuable resource to family and friends. On an addiction level, both drugs have serious risks. Using these drugs results in unnatural dopamine levels, putting a user at a higher risk of becoming addicted and dependent on the drugs due to developing a tolerance. Because crystal meth is so addictive, it is also more dangerous as compared to prescription amphetamines.

Members of the LGBTQ community face many challenges in life, accompanied by a high rate of addiction within the community. The Discovery House provides a lot of resources and rehab options for LGBTQ addiction treatment as well. It is hard to pinpoint the most popular drugs used among LGBTQ users, but generally, people in the LGBTQ community use anything from marijuana to methamphetamine, to heroin or Percocet. LGBTQ-specific treatment centers are able to understand the struggles of the LGBTQ community. This is important for addiction treatment, as these factors must be taken into consideration. Research also suggests that treatment needs to be able to address individualized factors such as homophobia, transphobia, family problems, violence, and social isolation often found in the community. The Discovery House takes pride in being LGBT-friendly. They accept members of the community with open arms.

Another issue that TDH addresses well is codependent relationships with addicts. Codependency is quite common in relationships where a person is struggling with substance abuse. Typically, an addict is cared for by their partner or family members. This leads to enabling and also codependency. The partner or family member then takes on the role of a caretaker. Such a situation is common among people who have been raised with an addicted parent, which brings in the role of the family in codependency. Unfortunately, this typically translates to taking care of a parent and even taking care of their partner in a codependent relationship. The Discovery House provides detailed information on these situations with resources for people who may have been forced into the role of caretaker as well.

To learn more about the facilities available at The Discovery House, contact their Admissions team by phone at any time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdST7Em4bH4

###

For more information about The Discovery House, contact the company here:

The Discovery House
Admissions Staff
844-530-1180
The Discovery House
6956 Bertrand Ave
Reseda, CA 91335