Stimulants excite the nervous system, leading to increased energy and feelings of elation. These drugs are often abused for recreation or to enhance performance. Despite their perceived desirable short-term effects, stimulants can have dangerous long-term effects.
What is an stimulant?
Stimulant drugs refer to any drug or substance that increases the activity of the nervous system. These drugs can range from mild stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, which are legal to use and don’t require a prescription, to potent illicit substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine. When prescribed, stimulants are usually taken orally, but illicit stimulants like cocaine can be snorted, smoked, or injected.
Unlike nervous system depressants, stimulants increase the heart rate, breathing, and can provide users with increased energy or a sense of mild euphoria. These effects make stimulants highly addictive and easy to abuse. Prescription stimulants can be used to treat disorders such as narcolepsy or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as they can increase attention, alertness, and focus.
Those with ADHD have problems concentrating on tasks and lack the ability to sit still or act without thinking. Stimulants can help these people focus on tasks that need to be completed by compensating for chemical imbalances in the brain that are deficient.
Commonly prescribed ADHD medications
- Dextroamphetamine: Sold commercially as Dexedrine, this medication can be used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.
- Combination dextroamphetamine/amphetamine: Commonly known by its brand name, Adderall, this prescription ADHD medication is commonly abused by young adults to enhance study performance.
- Methylphenidate: Sold as Ritalin or Concerta, methylphenidate treats ADHD and narcolepsy through immediate-release or extended-release capsules.
However, not all the effects of stimulant drug use are positive. These are some of the positive and negative effects that can result from stimulant use:
- Talkativeness
- Reduced social inhibition
- Feelings of euphoria or excitement
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Sense of grandiosity
- Panic attacks
- Agitation
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Hostility
In addition to these immediate effects, stimulant drugs are associated with a “come down” period, during which the brain experiences a drastic reduction in dopamine. This occurs when the effect of the drug wears off. These effects include:
- Restlessness and agitation
- Anxiety and depression
- Paranoia
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability and short-temperedness
- Confusion
In addition to the primary effects of stimulants, the drug can create vast changes to many bodily systems, leading to a host of detrimental symptoms. These include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Stomach pain
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss with long term use
- Fever
- Increased heart rate
- Increased respiratory rate
- Higher blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Cardiovascular failure, particularly with prolonged use
Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the most commonly used stimulants since it is so widely available. Caffeine is found in many plants including those used to make coffee, tea, and chocolate. Though it’s not as potent as some illicit or prescription stimulants, it can still lead to addiction and cause anxiety or sleep problems.
Nicotine
Nicotine is found in tobacco products, and it’s the substance that makes cigarettes so addictive. Since nicotine is often smoked, in addition to the side effects of stimulant use, nicotine is also associated with serious respiratory illness and cancer.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are commonly prescribed for ADHD but they can also be produced in a laboratory for illicit use. Prescription amphetamines typically come in tablets, but illicit amphetamines can be used as a powder or crystal. It is commonly known as speed.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerful short-acting stimulant drug that is derived from the coca plant. It has no medical use and is administered illicitly by being snorted, injected, or smoked. Since its effects wear off so quickly, repeated use of cocaine is common, which can lead to addiction.
Betel Nut
Betel nut is a seed from the areca palm fruit that is commonly used in Asia and the Asia Pacific region as part of religious and spiritual practices. Betel nut can be used fresh, dried, or cured to extract its stimulant effects.
Crystal Methamphetamine
Crystal methamphetamine, also commonly referred to as crystal meth or simply meth, is an illicit form of amphetamine that is more potent and comes with more severe side effects. It’s commonly smoked or injected.
Khat
Khat is a stimulant that originated in the Middle East and Eastern Africa for medicinal and recreational use. It’s an evergreen shrub which can be chewed to obtain its stimulant effects.
Mephedrone
Mephedrone is one of many New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). It’s designed to mimic the effects of popular illicit stimulants without using substances that are banned or controlled. It can be taken in pill form, snorted as powder, or smoked or injected as crystals.
Synthetic Cathinones
Synthetic cathinones, commonly known as bath salts, are derived from the khat plant. They are human-made stimulants that can cause unpredictable and dangerous side effects and behavior.
Stimulant withdrawal
Stimulant withdrawal occurs when stimulant use is discontinued or drastically reduced. While coping with the chemical change in the brain, the body may experience a variety of distressing symptoms of withdrawal. These include:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Depression or anxiety
- Increased appetite
- Body aches
- Intense cravings
- Vivid or distressing dreams
- Insomnia
Stimulant drug overdose
Though some stimulants are widely available or can be prescribed by medical professionals, all stimulants have the potential for overdose. Potent illicit stimulant substances like cocaine or meth are considerably more dangerous. Excessive or prolonged stimulant use can lead to overdose, particularly if stimulants are abused concurrently with other substances. Signs of a stimulant overdose include:
- Fever
- Increased heart rate
- Irregular heart rate
- Increased respiratory rate
- Excessive sweating
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
- Seizure
- Muscle pains or muscle weakness
- Panic or agitation
- Confusion
- Dark urine
- Aggressiveness
- Coma
Signs and symptoms of stimulant abuse and addiction
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), stimulant use disorder can be diagnosed with the presence of just two of these behavioral symptoms:
- Use of stimulants for non-medical reasons
- Continued stimulant use despite the impairment and distress it may cause
- Inability to control the dose or length of time stimulants are used
- Continued stimulant use that affects one’s ability to fulfill professional or social obligations
- Continued stimulant use despite failed attempts and desire to stop
- Intense cravings for stimulant drugs
- Increased amount of time invested obtaining stimulants, using stimulants, or recovering from stimulant use
- Losing interest in hobbies or other enjoyable activities in favor of stimulant use
- Tolerance that requires a higher dose of stimulants to achieve the same effects
- Withdrawal symptoms when stimulant use is discontinued
Stimulant addiction treatment therapies
Though detox is the first step in treating a stimulant addiction, long-term abstinence requires regular therapy that can help identify underlying issues related to substance use and develop better coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) identifies and corrects maladaptive patterns of thinking and behaving related to stimulant use. During this therapy, individuals can identify their triggers and learn more adaptive ways to manage their triggers to avoid addiction.
Contingency management
Contingency management is a therapeutic modality that is based on positive incentives to reward positive behavior. This therapy provides reinforcement, which can motivate long-term abstinence from drug use.
Matrix model
The matrix model of stimulant addiction treatment is an integrative approach, combining different kinds of therapeutic techniques to achieve greater success. Individuals may learn relapse prevention or target their self-esteem or skills building in order to treat substance abuse. This model can be easily incorporated into inpatient and outpatient programs, and can incorporate the most effective parts of many different therapeutic interventions.
What to expect: Stimulant addiction treatment
Stimulant addiction must first be treated with detox. Depending on the severity of the addiction, medical detox involving round-the-clock care may be required. During detox, withdrawal symptoms can be managed while the substance is fully and safely eliminated from the body.
After the stimulant has been removed from the system, therapeutic work can begin. During inpatient treatment, individuals have a full-time program of addiction treatment that includes individual and group therapy. The therapeutic interventions described above are just some of the effective techniques that can be used to treat stimulant addiction.
Inpatient treatment may be completed in one to three months or longer depending on the severity of the addiction or other mental health issues. Following inpatient treatment, successful addiction treatment progresses to outpatient treatment, wherein individuals attend therapy while living at home. Maintaining active engagement with stimulant addiction treatment can increase the likelihood of success. Therefore, aftercare and regular peer group therapy is encouraged.
Stimulant Abuse Recovery at Austin Pines Ranch
Our center is located in the Austin Metropolitan area, where you can enjoy tranquility and privacy to recover from stimulant abuse and addiction. Austin Pines Ranch can provide effective and individualized addiction treatment services for people from all walks of life on our sprawling 14-acre ranch. We welcome anyone who wants to take their addiction recovery into their own hands.
If you or a loved one is suffering from stimulant abuse or addiction, contact us today at (877) 982-3600. Our knowledgeable staff includes doctors, nurses, addiction specialists, therapists, and case workers who are committed to your care. Whether you are reaching us from the Austin area or traveling to Texas, Austin Pines can be your safe haven and provide the tools you need to start a healthy and drug-free life.
