Stimulants are drugs that impact the central nervous system (CNS) by speeding up messages between the brain and the body. Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Dopamine is the body’s natural “feel good” drug. Norepinephrine is involved in regulating the body’s cardiovascular system and breathing. There are legal and illegal stimulants, which are greatly abused throughout the United States. People who abuse stimulants quickly develop a tolerance, leading to high addiction rates. Stimulant addiction requires treatment from a substance abuse treatment program.
Stimulant Addiction is dangerous because of their effects on the body’s major organs, and the risk for overdose is high. At Mile High Recovery Center, we provide comprehensive stimulant addiction treatment. Recovery is not only about achieving sobriety. It is about attaining a new state of being and healing. We believe that addicts must heal mentally, spiritually, and finally, physically to achieve recovery and that anyone who seeks treatment can recover and heal. You can begin the path to recovery today by calling us at 303-268-2144.
Addiction to stimulants is common and can occur with legal drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin or illegal ones like cocaine and methamphetamine. When taken as prescribed, stimulants are very effective at treating ADHD. When abused, they can become very dangerous. Stimulants can be taken in pill form, smoked, snorted, or injected. Their effects are fast-acting, producing what is described as a “rush.” Typical reasons for taking stimulants are to:
Stimulants are commonly abused among students and athletes to enhance their performances, and this is often the beginning of stimulant addiction. Binge use, sporadically ingesting large doses over short periods, is commonly found with the abuse of stimulants. Tolerance to stimulants develops quickly, as do psychological and physical dependencies. With chronic, high-dose use of stimulants, the brain becomes reliant on the presence of the drug to function normally, which leads to significant withdrawal when the drug is not present.
Stimulants elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Long-term or heavy stimulant use can cause irregular heartbeat, heart failure, seizures, overdose, and death. Individuals with stimulant addiction commonly have co-occurring disorders, including anxiety, depression, and other substance use disorders. Heavy alcohol use is typical with stimulant addiction. Alcohol is a depressant, and many rely on alcohol to come down after binging on stimulants.
Other health impacts of chronic stimulant use can include:
Some of the most well-known stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and prescription medications, including Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, and Dexedrine.
Each person quitting stimulants will experience different withdrawal symptoms depending on their tolerance, metabolism, and history of abuse. Withdrawal symptoms can be physical and psychological and are usually moderate to severe. The psychological withdrawal from stimulants can be especially powerful, leading some former users to relapse. Still, others may become suicidal or violent, which is why a medically supervised stimulant detox is recommended.
Stimulant withdrawal-related depression can be severe, particularly in individuals with a history of clinical depression. Other typical withdrawal symptoms include:
Withdrawal symptoms can appear within a few hours to several days after the last use. The most intense symptoms typically peak within a week. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is common with stimulant addiction. PAWS can last 12-18 months depending on the individual; however, symptoms tend to decrease in severity over time.
Generally speaking, if you question whether or not you have a stimulants addiction, chances are that you likely do. Following are some questions to consider about your use of stimulants:
A good indicator of whether or not you have become addicted to stimulants is how you feel without them.
Mile High Recovery Center in Denver offers numerous evidence-based therapies and provides opportunities for proven modalities such as family therapy, 12-step programs, and equine therapy. Benefits of stimulants detox and stimulants rehab at Mile High Recovery Center include:
Don’t let stimulants addiction continue to wreak havoc in your life. Contact our team today. Call 303-268-2144 or use our online form.
Are you or a loved one struggling with stimulants addiction? If so, a professional stimulants rehab center is your best option for regaining control of your life. At Mile High Recovery Center, we understand that addiction is personal, which is why we ensure every client has a personalized treatment plan. Reach out now by calling 303-268-2144 and let us help you today.