Stimulant Addiction

Stimulant addiction is a serious and widespread problem that affects people worldwide. Whether it's prescription medications or illicit drugs, stimulant addiction can have devastating effects on a person's health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Despite the risks, many individuals continue to abuse these substances, often leading to a cycle of addiction that can be difficult to break.

On This Page:

• What are Stimulants?
• Common Types of Stimulants
• Signs of Stimulant Addiction
• Dangers of Stimulant Addiction
• How to Fight Stimulant Addiction

If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction to stimulants, call (888) 229-7989 today for help.

What are Stimulants?

By design, a stimulant speeds up your body’s physiological processes. This result can be achieved by shortening the reaction time between neurons and nerves, or it can accelerate the heart rate to get more oxygen to body parts in a shorter amount of time.

Even though a stimulant makes people feel like they can act quicker and more often, it is only temporary. Eventually, all stimulants wear off, and the outcome is always a severe energy crash that is often accompanied by pain and depression.

Common Types of Stimulants

Common stimulants that can cause addiction include:

• Adderall
• Concerta
• Desoxyn
• Ritalin

The stimulants in this list can all be prescribed. However, many people start to become addicted to a stimulant that was obtained through unlawful actions, such as when buying a “street-level” drug. In either situation, addiction can set it, often subtly at first.

Signs of Stimulant Addiction

Because a stimulant speeds up your thought processes and can make you feel like your body is elevated, it is difficult to notice the harm that it is causing. As such, people with stimulant addictions often do not know something is wrong until serious harm has been done.

The first signs of addiction to a stimulant can include:

• Constantly think about having another dose.
• Spend as much money as you can afford on stimulants.
• Use a stimulant outside of its prescription instructions.
• Commit a crime to obtain another dose or hit.
• Cannot feel happy without using a stimulant recently.
• Need a stimulant to fall asleep or feel hungry.
• Isolating yourself from anyone who doesn’t use stimulants.

Dangers of Stimulant Addiction

Other telltale signs of stimulant addiction include physical harm caused by the drug. For example, stimulant use can cause respiratory system and heart damage. An early sign of such issues is labored breathing after completing lightweight or day-to-day tasks. Please see a medical doctor if you have been experiencing breathing difficulties after using a stimulant, even one that was prescribed.

Signs of a stimulant overdose can include:

• Seizures and tremors
• Hallucinations
• Severe paranoia
• Agitation
• Labored breathing
• Rapid pulse

If you believe someone is suffering from a stimulant overdose, please dial 911 immediately. Tell the dispatcher that you suspect a stimulant is causing an overdose, so the paramedics can be prepared with the right medicine and equipment. Please also be aware that, in many situations, criminal charges cannot be brought if evidence of illegal drug use and possession only comes to light due to a call for emergency medical attention.

How to Fight Stimulant Addiction

Stimulant addiction does not need to control your life and hurt you every day. You can stand up to it with the help of a professional addiction treatment center like SOBA New Jersey. If you or someone you know needs help overcoming stimulant addiction, please call (888) 229-7989 to discuss how to begin a rehab treatment plan.

Find more information about our stimulant addiction treatment options here.