Stimulant Addiction Treatment

Our society promotes an on-the-run kind of lifestyle in which people want to have the energy to accomplish several things quickly. For some, the answer leads them to use substances to help increase their motivation and ability to stay awake and keep moving. This can quickly develop into an addiction they cannot stop on their own. When this happens, the person will require attending a proven stimulant addiction treatment program in order to get healthy again. Buckhead Behavioral Health provides this type of focused care to help people stop abusing stimulants for good.

What Are Stimulant Drugs?

Stimulants are a type of drug that temporarily elevate a person’s energy level, alertness, and mood. They are available in two forms. The first is prescription drugs, which are commonly used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) or help a person lose weight. The other type of stimulant includes street drugs that are illegally manufactured and sold. Both types of this drug can result in a person becoming addicted to them.

Stimulant addiction affects a person’s brain in two different ways. First, it affects the brain’s natural production of dopamine, a feel-good chemical. It can increase the production of dopamine, causing a person to rely on stimulants to achieve a sense of joy or pleasure. Once addiction sets in, it becomes difficult to feel a sense of happiness without abusing stimulants.

Stimulants also cause a neurotoxic effect on the brain by affecting a person’s memory, ability to learn new things, and other important cognitive functions. If they stop using stimulants once they are addicted to them, the individual develops withdrawal symptoms. In fact, many stimulant drugs fall under the heading of Schedule II drugs, which are defined as having a high potential for being abused. When someone develops a dependence on this type of drug, they will require professional stimulant addiction treatment.

If you or a loved one are looking for Valium addiction treatment, call us now at (470) 460-6789 or fill out the form below and one of our admissions representatives will reach out to you.

Most Common Abused Stimulant Drugs

A person who uses illegal stimulants often does so for recreational reasons. They may also be looking for ways to increase their energy and stay awake longer. Illegal stimulants include cocaine, crack, methamphetamines, and illegally manufactured amphetamines. The latter is often referred to as “uppers”. Ecstasy and MDMA are classified both as stimulants and hallucinogens.

Prescription stimulants can help people with legitimate medical needs. They are popular choices for prescriptions written to help control ADHD and narcolepsy. Still, they contain the risk of someone becoming addicted to them. As well, many people who become addicted to stimulants do not have a prescription for them. They obtain them through friends, family, or drug dealers. The most common prescription stimulants include:

• Adderall
• Concerta
• Ritalin
• Dexedrine
• Dextroamphetamine
• Amphetamines

Am I Addicted to Stimulants?

Someone in need of stimulant addiction treatment will experience signs that they are in trouble. Common signs of stimulant addiction include:

What is Stimulant Withdrawal Like?

When someone who is addicted to stimulants stops taking them, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. They range from mildly uncomfortable to emotionally challenging. Common stimulant withdrawal symptoms include:

What is Stimulant Addiction Treatment Like?

Stimulant addiction treatment begins with going to a quality detox program. Detoxification helps a person let go of the toxins built up during addiction. It should be done under medical supervision in order to make sure the person is safe and has access to relief from some withdrawal symptoms. Some people continue receiving care in a residential facility. If the person does not need this type of focused live-in care or has completed it, they can move to a lower level of care.

Outpatient programs provide the advantage of having several levels of care available. They address a person’s needs that range from daily treatment sessions to just a couple of days a week. Outpatient care includes access to several types of therapy that teach people to overcome addiction. Options for using FDA-approved medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms can be provided. As well, many programs offer treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders. These include conditions like ADHD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression.