Stimulant Addiction

The term ‘stimulants’ refers to a class of drugs that increase the activity level in both the brain and body. The use of stimulant drugs allows users stay awake for extended periods by increasing alertness and overall energy. The short-term effects of stimulants may initially be appealing to those who want an extra energy boost to go out and socialize or focus while studying. However, in the long-term, stimulants can cause severe damage to your physical and mental health. In particular, stimulants can cause serious damage to your cardiovascular (heart) and respiratory (lungs) systems.

Stimulants have a high potential for abuse. There are many types of stimulants; some are legal and prescribed, and some are illegal. While the short-term effects can be useful and pleasurable, they soon wear off. Users are left with a crash or comedown, which can be deeply uncomfortable and undesirable. Regardless of the type of stimulant used, even over a short time frame, addiction is possible. When this happens, professional treatment is necessary.

There are many different types of stimulants. Legal prescription stimulants include:

Illegal stimulants include:

Stimulant addiction can begin in several ways. One way in which a person can become addicted to stimulants is by misuse of a prescription. Legal stimulants such as Adderal and Ritalin are prescribed to aid those struggling with certain medical conditions, namely attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD). When a person uses these drugs outside of their doctor’s recommendation – taking the medication in higher doses or more frequently than recommended – then the risk of addiction is high.

These drugs are also abused when a person uses them without a prescription. Non-prescription use of prescription drugs is a growing problem in the U.S., according to Weyandt et al. claims in an article published in Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology. ‘[Stimulant use] has become a serious problem in the United States and abroad, especially on college campuses’.

Young people are increasingly using these drugs as a party aid or to help them study more efficiently. While this approach to studying may seem like a good idea initially, but the long-term consequences far outweigh the benefits.

Illegal stimulants, such as cocaine, MDMA, and other amphetamine derivatives, are commonly used as club-drugs. It is important to note that these drugs pose a serious risk of abuse and addiction. There is a common misconception that these drugs are relatively safe because they are viewed as being ‘softer’ than other drugs, such as heroin. However, this does not make the use of illegal stimulants safe, and the potential for abuse is still there. Even casual use of these drugs can result in serious, sometimes fatal consequences.

There are a variety of stimulant drugs with the potential for abuse. The short and long-term symptoms of addiction are somewhat similar among each of these types.

If you or someone you love is misusing stimulants, you may notice some or all of the following:

With heavy or prolonged use, the signs and symptoms of abuse become more pronounced. Long-term use of stimulants can lead to:

Detoxification is usually required at the start of treatment. Those entering treatment must rid their body of the toxic chemicals that have built up due to prolonged use of stimulants. The detox and withdrawal stages can last for up to one week or longer.

Withdrawal from stimulants can be challenging.

As the body begins to adjust to life without the substance of choice, clients will experience a range of difficult symptoms, outlined in the journal Addiction as:

Recovery is more likely to be successful when trained professionals support it. At Excel, our recovery experts are skilled in multiple areas of addiction recovery. We can ensure that you or your loved one receives the best help available.

If we believe that another treatment center would better suit your unique needs and circumstances, we will contact them and arrange for a prompt appointment. At Excel, we are dedicated to restoring our clients to health as compassionately and effectively as possible. If you or a loved one are struggling, take the first and most important step and contact us today.