Stimulant Abuse & Addiction: Types, Symptoms & Recovery

Stimulants, often used for ADHD, can lead to addiction. But don’t worry, help is available.

Key Takeaways

• Prescription stimulants, used to treat conditions like ADHD, increase dopamine and norepinephrine, but misuse can lead to addiction.
• Common prescription and illicit stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, cocaine, methamphetamine, and synthetic drugs like bath salts.
• Stimulant misuse is widespread, with over 10.3 million Americans misusing stimulants in 2020, particularly adults aged 18 to 25.
• Signs of stimulant abuse include dizziness, palpitations, aggression, panic, and psychosis.
• Stimulant withdrawal symptoms range from fatigue and mood swings to severe effects like confusion and hallucinations, requiring medical supervision for detox.
• Detox and treatment for stimulant addiction involve therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive care, and relapse prevention training.
• Residential treatment, outpatient programs, and 12-step programs offer structured recovery paths for individuals struggling with stimulant addiction.
• Though no FDA-approved medications exist for stimulant addiction, research is ongoing to find effective pharmacological treatments.

Stimulants, like those used for conditions like ADHD, can be helpful when taken as prescribed. However, misusing them can lead to addiction. If you or someone you know is using stimulants and showing signs of addiction, it’s essential to understand the treatment options.

What Are Stimulants?

Stimulants are substances that speed up the brain and body by increasing neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine. Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, triggers the fight-or-flight response, while dopamine activates the brain’s reward system. This makes stimulants highly addictive, with many classified as Schedule II controlled substances due to their abuse potential. 

Types of Stimulants

Stimulant medications come in various forms. While some treat ADHD, others address conditions like shift-work disorder or narcolepsy. Stimulants include:

• Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
• Bath salts (synthetic cathinones)
• Cocaine
• Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
• Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine (Adderall)
• Khat
• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
• Methamphetamine
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
• Modafinil (Provigil)
• Pitolisant (Wakix)

How Stimulants Affect the Brain

Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine production in the brain. Dopamine activates the brain’s reward system, while norepinephrine triggers the fight-or-flight response. Stimulants are often prescribed for conditions like ADHD, where increased dopamine and norepinephrine can help address underlying issues. 

Common Stimulant Misuse

Misuse of stimulants is widespread, with about 10.3 million Americans misusing them in 2020. Adults aged 18 to 25 were particularly at risk. Of this population: 

• Approximately 3.3 million people misused cocaine.
• About 3.3 million people misused prescription stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse.
• Around 1.5 million people misused methamphetamine.
• Approximately 1.5 million people misused more than one type of stimulant.

Signs of Stimulant Abuse

Stimulants can lead to various side effects when abused, such as:

• Dizziness
• Tremors
• Headache
• Flushed skin
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Agitation
• Hostility
• Aggression
• Panic
• Psychosis

Stimulant Withdrawal and Detox

Withdrawing from stimulants involves several stages, but specifics can vary based on factors like the stimulant used, individual differences, and the extent of use. Here’s a typical withdrawal process:

• Crash: After intense use, many short-acting stimulants lead to a crash, marked by extended periods of tiredness and extra sleep. It’s unclear whether long-acting stimulants cause a similar crash as shorter-acting ones. 
• Comedown: Following a crash, people often experience a comedown phase, which brings exhaustion and mood swings.
• Withdrawal: Withdrawal symptoms typically start within a few days of quitting stimulants. Most symptoms go away within two weeks, but some may persist, especially for long-term users.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Feeling down
• Restlessness
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Vivid or troubling dreams
• Increased appetite
• Slower thinking
• Feeling tired
• Physical issues

For those who’ve used high doses of stimulants for a long time, there’s a greater risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, such as: 

• Confusion
• Extreme mistrust
• Chaotic thinking
• Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there

These severe withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous, so medically supervised detox is the safest way to quit stimulants, especially for long-term, high-dose users.

Treating Stimulant Addiction

Overcoming stimulant addiction can be challenging, but medical support during detox can help manage withdrawal symptoms. Following detox, rehab involves therapy to address the root causes of addiction and develop strategies for a stimulant-free life.

Common treatment modalities and programs for stimulant addiction include the following:

• Residential Treatment: Provides a structured environment where individuals can focus solely on their recovery with 24/7 support.
• Outpatient Programs: Offer therapy and support while allowing patients to continue living at home, suited for those with milder addictions.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Though there are no FDA-approved medications for stimulant addiction, research is ongoing to find suitable pharmacological treatments.
• Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients identify harmful thought patterns and behaviors related to stimulant use.
• Supportive Care: Includes addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and providing resources for managing stress and life challenges.
• Contingency Management: Patients receive rewards for staying drug-free, promoting long-term abstinence.
• Motivational Interviewing: Focuses on enhancing an individual’s motivation to change their stimulant use by resolving ambivalence.
• 12-Step Programs: Peer-support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) encourage recovery through a structured 12-step approach.
• Exercise Therapy: Regular physical activity helps manage cravings and improve mental well-being during recovery.
• Relapse Prevention Training: Teaches coping mechanisms and strategies to prevent relapse after treatment.

Seek Help Today

If you or a loved one struggles with stimulant abuse and addiction, you’re not alone. The Recovery Village Indianapolis Drug and Alcohol Rehab offers assistance for stimulant addiction, paving the way to a healthier, drug-free future in recovery. Contact our Recovery Advocates today to explore treatment programs tailored to your needs.