May 5, 202611 min read
Types of Family Therapy Explained
Learn about the main types of family therapy, how each approach works, and how therapy can help families build stronger relationships.
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Same-day assessments · Orange County, CA
Same-day assessments · Orange County, CA
Clinically Reviewed by Brittany Astrom Brittany has 15 years of experience in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse field. Brittany has been licensed for almost 8 years and has worked in various settings throughout her career, including inpatient psychiatric treatment, outpatient, residential treatm
Jake
Clinical Editorial Team
Clinically Reviewed by Brittany Astrom Brittany has 15 years of experience in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse field. Brittany has been licensed for almost 8 years and has worked in various settings throughout her career, including inpatient psychiatric treatment, outpatient, residential treatm
Brittany has 15 years of experience in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse field. Brittany has been licensed for almost 8 years and has worked in various settings throughout her career, including inpatient psychiatric treatment, outpatient, residential treatment center, PHP and IOP settings.
The term “speed” refers to a class of drugs known as stimulant drugs, specifically amphetamine-based substances. These can include prescription drugs used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, as well as illegal amphetamines sold on the street. Speed increases energy levels, heart rate, and blood pressure, providing a burst of energy and heightened focus. However, prolonged or non-medical uses can lead to amphetamine addiction and substance use disorders.
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a more potent form of amphetamine that affects the brain’s dopamine levels more intensely. While a prescription drug form exists (Desoxyn), most meth is an illegal substance manufactured in clandestine labs. One of the most well-known forms of methamphetamine is crystal methamphetamine, also called crystal meth, which produces an intense and prolonged high. Meth use increases heart rate, body temperature, and the risk of addiction, leading to severe mental health disorders and physical deterioration.
Learn about the main types of family therapy, how each approach works, and how therapy can help families build stronger relationships.
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Speed and meth produce similar short-term effects, but methamphetamine is stronger and lasts longer. Both drugs elevate heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure, creating feelings of euphoria, increased sex drive, and reduced appetite. Speed’s effects typically wear off in a few hours, whereas meth can last 12 hours or more due to its chemical structure.
Long-term use of either drug can lead to mental health disorders, cognitive impairment, and physical health problems. Speed abuse is associated with irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, and amphetamine addiction, whereas meth use leads to more severe damage, including extreme weight loss, violent behavior, and damage to brain cells. Meth also carries a higher likelihood of meth addiction, which can result in severe withdrawal symptoms such as depression, paranoia, and vivid dreams.
Methamphetamine is significantly stronger than speed due to its chemical makeup, allowing it to stay in the body longer and cause a greater increase in dopamine levels. Speed lasts between 4 to 8 hours, while meth can last 12 hours or more. The higher potency of meth contributes to its greater risk of addiction, making it much harder to quit.
Speed can cause dependence, but methamphetamine is far more addictive. Meth directly affects dopamine levels, creating intense cravings and leading to methamphetamine use disorder. Many abstinent methamphetamine abusers experience lasting neurological and emotional effects, even after stopping. Withdrawal symptoms from both drugs include fatigue, depression, irritability, and cognitive impairment, but meth withdrawal tends to be more severe.
Speed is typically produced in pharmaceutical labs when prescribed legally, but illegal amphetamines are made in underground labs. Methamphetamine production is more dangerous, often involving toxic chemicals such as battery acid, red phosphorus, and ammonia. The hazardous nature of illegal drugs like meth makes their production a public safety concern.
Speed is often found in powdered form or pill form, while meth is most commonly available as crystal meth. Users ingest these drugs in various ways, including oral consumption, snorting, injecting, and smoking. Smoking meth delivers the fastest and most intense high, increasing its risk of addiction and harmful effects.
Overuse of either drug can lead to drug overdose, but meth carries a higher risk. Both drugs can cause irregular heartbeat, elevated body temperature, and cardiac arrest. A meth overdose is more likely to result in severe neurological and cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, stroke, and death.
Recovery from addiction to speed or meth addiction requires professional intervention. Treatment options include behavioral therapies like Cognitive impairment therapy, addiction specialist support, and medication-assisted treatment. Many abstinent methamphetamine users struggle with relapse due to lingering cravings and mental health challenges. Rehabilitation programs, therapy, and healthy lifestyle changes play a crucial role in recovery.
Speed use is common among students and professionals seeking enhanced focus, but it can lead to substance use disorders and non-medical uses of prescription drugs. Meth, on the other hand, is strongly linked to crime, homelessness, and overwhelming healthcare costs. Reports from organizations like the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation highlight meth’s devastating impact on public health.
While speed and meth are both stimulant drugs, methamphetamine is significantly more dangerous due to its potent form, long-term use effects, and higher risk of addiction. Research from the National Institutes of Health, Brain Res, and Animal literature continues to highlight the devastating consequences of meth abuse. Seeking help from a health professional or addiction specialist is critical for those struggling with amphetamine addiction or meth addiction.
1\. How do speed and methamphetamine differ in terms of potency?
Speed refers to amphetamine-based stimulant drugs, while methamphetamine is a more potent form of amphetamine. The key difference lies in their chemical structure, which affects how they interact with dopamine levels in the brain. Methamphetamine crosses the blood-brain barrier more efficiently, producing a much stronger and longer-lasting high. While speed’s effects last 4 to 8 hours, meth can last 12 hours or more, significantly increasing the risk of addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms.
2\. What are the long-term health risks of using speed vs. meth?
Both drugs pose serious health risks, but meth addiction leads to more severe consequences. Long-term amphetamine addiction can cause elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, cognitive impairment, and an increased likelihood of developing mental health disorders. Methamphetamine use is associated with extreme weight loss, violent behavior, damage to brain cells, and a higher risk of cardiac arrest. Studies from the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicate that abstinent methamphetamine users continue to experience neurological and emotional effects even after stopping use.
3\. Why is methamphetamine more addictive than speed?
Methamphetamine causes a much larger release of dopamine levels in the brain, reinforcing the cycle of addiction more strongly than speed. This makes meth significantly harder to quit, leading to methamphetamine use disorder. Abstinent methamphetamine abusers often struggle with lasting cravings and mood disturbances, even after detoxing. The intense high of crystal meth and its prolonged effects contribute to its status as one of the most addictive illegal drugs.
4\. What are the best treatment options for speed or meth addiction?
Treatment for addiction to speed or meth addiction typically involves behavioral therapies like Cognitive impairment therapy, contingency management, and counseling with an addiction specialist. Medically supervised detox can help manage severe withdrawal symptoms. Long-term recovery often includes participation in support groups, professional therapy, and lifestyle changes that promote a healthy lifestyle. Resources like the National Institutes of Health, Alcohol and Drug Foundation, and Institute on Drug Abuse provide support for individuals seeking recovery.
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