Stimulants

Stimulants

Stimulants

When you take stimulants you feel an increase energy and alertness initially, but as with other drugs, the abuse of these drugs can bring unwanted personality changes, psychosis and serious health complications. Eliminate stimulant addiction before you have serious consequences. Call Recovery Connection at 866-812-8231 and speak with one of our stimulant addiction specialists about entering detox and rehab today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience.

Addicted to stimulants! Whirling out of control? You can get off the merry go round and regain your life. Find stimulant addiction treatment. Call Recovery Connection's helpline 866-812-8231 24/7 and speak with one of specially trained coordinators. All calls are confidential and free of charge.

What is a Stimulant?

Stimulants are a class of drugs that lift your mood, induce feelings of well-being and provide an increase in your energy. They stimulate activity in the central nervous system and the sympathetic peripheral nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system connects the internal organs to the brain via the spinal cord nerves. Many of these drugs are on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Schedule II list of drugs, which means they have a high potential for abuse.

Some of these drugs are legally prescribed medications while others are illicit. Generally, stimulants are taken in tablet form, snorted, injected or smoked in crystal form. There are differences in the drug’s effects depending upon the route of absorption. The drugs that are injected or smoked provide a rush or quick high. Snorting or swallowing produces a slightly less intense high but one that lasts longer. In some instances, the rapid onset of the high is replaced within minutes by a rapid decline or crash.

Some of the common stimulants of abuse include:

  • Concerta
  • Phenphedrine (Fenphedrine)
  • Adapexin-P
  • Testoripped
  • Hoodia
  • Guar gum
  • Conjugated linoleic acid
  • Country mallow
  • Xenical
  • Dexedrine

Stimulants initially produce a feeling of pleasure. But with chronic use, these feelings diminish and require more of the substance to feel the effects of these drugs.

Symptoms and Signs of Stimulant Abuse

You look forward to the high stimulants have to offer, but after a while, you begin to need them to function normally. You’re tired but can’t sleep, know you should eat but have no appetite and you begin to question reality. Stimulant addiction is no fun.

Physical Signs of Stimulant Abuse Include:

  • Increased alertness
  • Weight loss
  • Panic attacks
  • Compulsive behavior
  • Dizziness
  • Flushed skin
  • Excessive sweating
  • Restlessness
  • Inhibitory control
  • Vomiting
  • Aggression
  • Chronic sleep problems
  • Loss of coordination
  • Loss of verbal memory
  • Tremors
  • Abdominal cramps

Psychological Signs of Stimulant Abuse Include:

  • Poor judgment
  • Visual and auditory hallucinations
  • Loss of coordination
  • Loss of verbal memory
  • Tremors
  • Suspiciousness
  • Grandiosity
  • Delusions
  • Depression
  • Stimulant psychosis

Chronic stimulant users can engage in what is known as binge-abstinence behavior. You move through levels of high use, followed by periods of non-use. But, as it is with other episodes of binge eating or binge drinking, the user will return to drug use for another episode of binging.

Stimulant Withdrawal Symptoms

Stimulant withdrawal symptoms may not be life-threatening, but extreme moods and behavioral agitation can occur. The period of time that withdrawal lasts is based on the amount and frequency and type of stimulant that you abuse.

Stimulant Withdrawal Symptoms Include:

  • Inability to feel pleasure
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Poor sleep quality
  • Depression
  • Loss of cognitive function
  • “Crashing”
  • Disinterest in surroundings
  • Drug cravings
  • Extreme fear
  • Mood swings
  • Verbal deficits

Stimulant withdrawal symptoms may need to be managed in a medically based detox unit, especially to handle the psychological withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can last from 3 to 5 days from last use, but triggers can bring on cravings years after use has stopped. Medications for the treatment of stimulant addiction can help the addict move through withdrawal more comfortably.

Stimulant Addiction Treatment

Stimulant addiction treatment can only work after you have completed detox from drugs and alcohol. Then addiction treatment should begin immediately. Treatment will provide you with an understanding of addiction and tools to handle stress and triggers. In quality treatment programs, you will be treated for dual diagnosis, if it exists. Treatment in a medically based program can help a stimulant addict overcome the devastation of addiction.

Looking For Treatment?

If you or some you love suffers from cocaine, crack, meth, crystal meth, or amphetamine addiction, Recovery Connection can help you. Our help is open 24/7 and all calls are confidential. Call now and let one of our knowledgeable coordinators find a quality detox and treatment program appropriate for your needs. Call 866-812-8231 and begin the road to recovery today.

24/7 all conversations are confidential

Related Content: