Stimulants are a type of substance that stimulates the nervous system. If you’re using substances like cocaine or methamphetamine, or a prescription medication like Adderall, your body may be craving the constant need for that drug just to keep going. Stimulant misuse is highly dangerous. It can lead to addiction, overdose, and death when left untreated.
In a stimulant addiction treatment program, like ours in Chester, VA, you gain access to tools to gain better control over your use of those substances while giving your body and brain time to heal from the damage. Iron Bridge Recovery Center is dedicated to providing individuals with the level of care they need.
What Are Stimulants and Why Does Addiction Happen?
Stimulants increase the function of the central nervous system by interacting with the neurotransmitters in your brain. That includes norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants can help you feel:
- More alert
- Better focused
- Full of energy
- Improved self-esteem
- More mental clarity
- Exhilaration
- Increased activity
However, stimulant misuse can trigger numerous side effects, including sudden anger and paranoia, and in some people, it can lead to psychosis. Too much use overwhelms the body’s systems, leading to a high risk of heart attacks, seizures, or stroke.
Misuse of stimulants happens because of the sudden and intense feelings and the sense of euphoria these substances can create. The rush these substances create triggers the reward center in your brain. You may feel a sudden, though often short-lived sense of well-being. Over time, continued use can lead to dependency. That means your body and brain become reliant on the substance just to operate normally.
Common Types of Stimulants Misused
The following are some of the most common stimulants that can lead to misuse:
- Prescription medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Concerta
- Methamphetamine (meth)
- Cocaine
- Bath salts (synthetic cathinones)
If you are using any of these substances and are at risk for developing dependence, contact our team immediately. Do not simply stop using them. Your body could be highly dependent on the substance. By stopping without support, you could face a medical crisis.
The Complications of Continued Stimulant Use
The consequences of continued use of stimulants can be devastating. They include:
- The need to consistently increase dose to experience the same type of rush. This creates a significantly higher opportunity for overdose due to toxicity.
- Increased risk of psychosis, including the onset of aggression, suicidal thoughts, and feeling the need to harm others
- Impact on numerous systems in the body leading to strokes, seizures, heart attacks, and other disease development, dangerously high body temperature
Because stimulant misuse can lead to life-threatening complications, you must seek immediate help if you can’t stop using them.
Signs of Stimulant Addiction
When is your use of a stimulant, especially a prescription, at risk of becoming addictive? Stimulant use disorder develops when at least two of the following exist within a 12-month period:
- Tolerance development, such as you are using the substance in a larger dose or need to use it for a longer period than it was initially intended.
- You have a persistent desire to use the substance, or you have repeatedly attempted to decrease or stop using it and failed.
- You are spending a significant amount of time trying to obtain the substance, and potentially taking illegal steps to do so.
- You have intense urges, cravings, and a desire to use the substance even though you know there are negative effects of doing so
- Responsibilities at home, work, or in your social life are falling to the wayside.
When stimulants become a big part of your life, it’s time to take steps to find help. At Iron Bridge, we can provide you with an environment that helps you get back to where you want to be.
How Stimulant Use Disorder Treatment Works
At Iron Bridge, many people struggling with these substances begin treatment in a medically monitored detox program. For stimulant use, this can prove critical because the risks of complicated withdrawal and medical or mental health outcomes are high. Here, you’re safe while we help you navigate the complexities of ending your dependency on the substance.
Our residential addiction treatment services then allow you to work on healing. You’ll spend several weeks in treatment, strengthening your health and mental wellbeing as you grow in your knowledge of addiction and relapse prevention. We provide real-world support to help you gain the confidence you need to live life without that substance.
Take Action Today by Contacting Our Team
Iron Bridge Recovery Center is a trusted, compassionate treatment center dedicated to helping individuals find a better way forward. Set up a time to chat with us. Or, call us 24/7 for immediate help. Contact us now.
