“Speed” is the street name for amphetamines, a group of powerful stimulant drugs that increase energy, focus, and alertness. While some forms of amphetamines are prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy, misuse can quickly spiral into addiction. This speed addiction guide will cover the symptoms, risks, and recovery options for those struggling. On the street, speed is also known as “uppers,” “crank,” “pep pills,” or “bennies.”
The dangers of speed addiction are severe. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), about 1.5 million people in the U.S. reported using methamphetamine (a common form of speed) in the past year, and stimulant-related overdose deaths have more than quadrupled since 2011. What often starts as an attempt to stay awake, study longer, or lose weight can end in paranoia, violent behavior, or fatal overdose.
As author Stephen King once said, “Addiction turns intelligent people into shadows of their former selves.” The shadow cast by speed addiction can be dark, but recovery is possible with the right help and support.
Navigating This Guide
This hub page serves as the entry point for deeper exploration. Use the links below to dive into specific areas of speed addiction:
What Is Speed Addiction?
Speed addiction occurs when the brain becomes dependent on amphetamines to function. Speed works by flooding the brain with dopamine, the chemical linked to pleasure and motivation. At first, users feel energetic, confident, and alert. But over time, the brain adapts, needing more of the drug to feel the same effects.
This cycle often leads to misuse—taking higher doses, crushing pills to snort them, or combining them with alcohol or other drugs. At this point, professional speed abuse treatment is often necessary.
Signs and Symptoms of Speed Addiction
Recognizing the warning signs early can help save lives.
Behavioral symptoms include:
- Sudden bursts of energy followed by extreme crashes
- Staying awake for days at a time
- Aggressive or erratic behavior
- Neglecting work, school, or relationships
- Obsessive focus on obtaining more of the drug
Physical and psychological symptoms include:
- Rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Weight loss and poor nutrition
- Paranoia and hallucinations
- Depression and exhaustion during withdrawal
Hearing slang like “crank” or “pep pills” in conversation may also signal misuse.
Types of Drugs Known as “Speed”
The term “speed” is often used as a catch-all street name for stimulant drugs. While some are legally prescribed medications, others are illicit substances. All carry a high risk of misuse and addiction.
- Amphetamine (Adderall): Prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy, but often misused for energy, focus, or weight loss. Street names include “uppers” and “pep pills.”
- Methamphetamine (Meth, Crystal): A powerful, illegal stimulant often called “crystal,” “crank,” or “ice.” It produces an intense high but is highly addictive and dangerous.
- Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine): A prescription stimulant for ADHD and sleep disorders, misused for alertness and energy. Known on the street as “dexies.”
- Ritalin (Methylphenidate): A stimulant prescribed for ADHD, sometimes sold illegally as “kiddie coke.”
- Illicit mixtures: Some pills sold as “speed” are counterfeit, often containing meth, caffeine, or fentanyl, making them unpredictable and more dangerous.
While these drugs differ in strength and legality, all versions of speed increase dopamine in the brain, fueling both the euphoric high and the cycle of addiction.
Risks and Dangers of Speed Addiction
The dangers of speed addiction affect both body and mind.
- Overdose: High doses can cause seizures, heart attacks, or strokes.
- Mental health decline: Chronic use leads to anxiety, paranoia, aggression, and even psychosis.
- Physical health issues: Severe dental problems, malnutrition, and cardiovascular disease are common.
- Brain changes: Prolonged use damages dopamine pathways, leading to long-term memory and emotional problems.
- Social consequences: Job loss, legal trouble, and relationship breakdowns are frequent outcomes.
The CDC reports that over 30,000 stimulant-related overdose deaths occurred in 2021, underscoring the seriousness of this crisis.
The Dangers of Mixing Speed with Other Substances
Polysubstance use makes speed addiction even more dangerous.
- Speed and alcohol: Alcohol masks the stimulant effects, leading people to take more speed than they realize, raising overdose risk.
- Speed and opioids (like heroin or fentanyl): Known as a “speedball,” this mix overstimulates the body while slowing breathing, creating a high risk of sudden death.
- Speed and benzodiazepines (like Xanax): People may take benzos to “come down” from speed, but this combination often results in confusion, blackouts, or respiratory failure.
Mixing speed with other drugs is unpredictable and often deadly.
A True Story of Hope
Paul was raised as a Mormon in Mesa, Arizona. He was not raised around drugs or alcohol because it was against their religion. He was raised with everything any kid could ever want. He started to be molested at a very early age. This caused him to always question his sexuality. As a teenager, Paul enjoyed skateboarding and partying.
Paul didn’t think that he had a problem with drugs and alcohol and thus wasn’t able to get clean. He thought that as long as he was feeling good there was no reason to not do it. Paul thought that the problem was with everyone else, not with him.
Paul eventually found that his prescription pill addiction was too pricey for him to maintain. Instead of continuing with his pill use, he turned to heroin to get his fix. It was far more affordably and very readily available to him. Within a few months, he started shooting up heroin.
He moved to Chicago to try to get clean. Dope was even easier to get once he moved. He was only clean for less than a year before he was deep into addiction again. He started doing a lot of illegal activities and taking advantage of his dad in every way possible. His parents had enough and eventually he was kicked out of his apartment. On September 29, 2010, he decided to go to a detox facility because he had no way to get high again. He didn’t want to get sick so he figured that was his best option.
When he finally went to the detox facility, he was determined that he didn’t want to go through withdrawals. He went in with the intention of using again in the future, but just didn’t want to feel the withdrawal symptoms that come with detoxing. He met someone working in the facility who introduced him to Alcoholics Anonymous.
This caused him to earnestly start his road to sobriety. After getting a sponsor and working the steps, Paul was able to get and stay away from drugs. In treatment, Paul rebuilt his life and was able to get everything back on track. Today Paul is a strong man who has great compassion for those who are still suffering from addiction. In the end, Paul made it through.
Treatment and Recovery Options
Speed addiction can feel overwhelming, but recovery is possible with the right help.
Treatment options include:
- Medical detox: Manages severe withdrawal symptoms like depression, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts.
- Inpatient rehab: Structured programs with 24/7 support, therapy, and relapse prevention.
- Outpatient rehab: Flexible care that allows people to continue work or school.
- Therapy and counseling: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and contingency management are especially effective.
- Dual diagnosis treatment: Many people struggling with speed addiction also face depression, PTSD, or anxiety. Treating both is essential.
- Aftercare support: Peer groups, sober living homes, and ongoing therapy help reduce relapse risks.
Thousands of people each year successfully complete speed abuse treatment, showing that recovery is not only possible—it’s real.
Moving Toward Recovery
This speed addiction guide highlights the dangers of misuse, the warning signs of dependence, and the hope offered by recovery. Addiction doesn’t have to define your future.
If you or someone you love is struggling with speed, call SAMHSA’s confidential helpline at 1-800-662-HELP for treatment referrals.
Addiction may feel like it’s taken everything, but with help, you can take your life back.
