Author: James Anderson

Are You Addicted to Stimulants? Signs & Symptoms

Ritalin, known as methylphenidate, is prescribed to treat ADHD in children and adolescents. It also treats narcolepsy, a sleep disorder affecting children and adults. Yes, the American Psychiatric Association uses the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to identify and diagnose mental health conditions and addictions. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Treatment X LLC, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California. Other stimulants, such as Ritalin and Vyvanse are schedule II controlled substances, meaning they have a legitimate medical use but also carry a high risk of abuse.

How Do You Treat Stimulant Addiction?

Flakka (alpha-PVP) is similar to the street drug bath salts and is typically found in white or pink crystal form. Vyvanse abuse is high among teens, who sometimes take the drug to improve their grades in school. If you know someone who can’t see that their stimulant use has become a problem, staging an intervention can help them realize they need treatment. Doctors and addiction specialists treat addiction as a chronic illness, much like diabetes. Just like any illness, an addiction diagnosis requires clinical criteria that must be met. If you or a loved one struggle with drug use,contact The Recovery Village.

  1. These treatment approaches have been proven to overcome stimulant addiction.
  2. Adderall is a type of amphetamine categorized as a schedule II controlled substance by the U.S.
  3. Prescription drug abuse in older adults is a growing problem, especially when they combine drugs with alcohol.
  4. They increase alertness, energy, and attention span as well as suppressing hunger.

Prescription stimulants are often used to treat people suffering from mental health conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as for narcolepsy and as dietary aids. They increase alertness, energy, and attention span as well as suppressing hunger. The most common forms of prescription stimulants are amphetamines and methylphenidates.

Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse

These physical and mental diagnostic criteria vary among stimulant users and depend on the type of substance use. For more information about stimulant addiction and treatment services, browse our website to find a treatment center to contact today. Tolerance to amphetamine drugs and other stimulants can build up with chronic drug use. A high tolerance may result in weaker drug effects and may be a sign of substance abuse. Receiving reputable addiction treatment is essential in avoiding dangerous stimulant withdrawal symptoms and other life-threatening complications.

Methamphetamine

The more a person misuses them, the more likely the person is to get severe symptoms such as strokes or seizures. Although effective for certain conditions like ADHD, many engage in substance abuse using stimulants for recreational purposes. While they are safe when used as directed, prescription stimulants are some of the most widely misused drugs in the United States. Treating stimulant use disorders is as challenging as treating other drug addictions.

This prescription medication is commonly used to treat ADHD, but can also be abused for its stimulant properties. Prescription stimulant medications are abused in a variety of ways, and over time may lead to severe psychological and physical addiction. California Behavioral Health in Palm Springs offers true individualized treatment performed by Master Level Therapists in a comfortable setting where everyone has their own private bedroom. The Ohio Recovery Center is a state-of-the-art addiction treatment center on a 55-acre campus.

Stimulant Abuse: Signs, Effects, and Treatment Options

None of these drugs offer medical benefits, and all put users at risk of developing stimulant use disorder. Because of stimulants’ energy and focus-enhancing effects, these drugs are sometimes abused by students and professionals who are looking to gain a competitive edge. Many stimulants have addictive properties and the potential to pose severe health risks when misused. While these substances are intended to treat specific symptoms of mental disorders, stimulant abuse can lead to severe consequences. Over time, the body and brain can become dependent on the stimulant to produce dopamine, and a person needs to take more of a drug to get the desired effects. Increasing the dose always increases the risk of addiction, and also can lead to accidental overdoses.

Requiring photo id, writing down sales in a logbook, and daily or monthly sales limits are all examples of restrictions that may be enforced for products containing these ingredients. Used to treat ADHD and hyperactive disorders, Ritalin is a methylphenidate that has a milder effect than amphetamine-based substitutes. Although it isn’t on the list of controlled substances, kratom can cause dependence, addiction, and life-threatening side effects. Taking Ritalin as prescribed and at the correct dosage doesn’t cause tolerance. Learn more about stimulant use disorder, a condition characterized by the inability to control stimulant drug use.

Users with stimulant use disorder commonly abuse several categories of stimulants. These categories include prescription stimulants, which primarily treat ADHD, and illicit stimulants, which are illegal drugs. The most common illicit stimulants include cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy/Molly), and methamphetamine.

Illicit stimulants

The drug has similar effects as prescription amphetamines that treat ADHD and sleep disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing stimulant use disorder and preventing further health complications. If you or someone you know may be struggling with stimulant use disorder, seek help from addiction or medical professionals to begin the journey toward recovery. Both legal and illegal stimulants are harmful when abused, and can lead to potentially life-threatening reactions such as respiratory depression and overdose death.

The majority of these people, totaling approximately 855,000, use cocaine as their drug of choice. Some stimulant drugs have no medical use, while others are commonly prescribed to treat a range of issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Stimulants ranging from ADHD medication to cocaine are often abused for their effects, from alertness to the euphoric high. Those who frequently abuse stimulants, regardless of their intentions, are at risk of becoming addicted. Knowing what to look for in a person abusing stimulants can help you identify if someone has a problem with these drugs. In overdose, unless there is medical intervention, high fever, convulsions, and cardiovascular collapse may precede death.

What Are Common Street Names For Stimulant Drugs?

Often, the person abusing stimulants doesn’t realize an addiction is forming. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. However, there are also consequences that can affect a person’s health in both the short- and long-term. If you or a loved one are ready to take the first step toward recovery, American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help.