Stimulant abuse is a problem that occurs in men and women, young and old. Stimulants are often used by people who need to stay awake and perform well for long periods of time. This includes young mothers trying to juggle a baby and an outside job, college students attempting to pass all of their classes, and high-powered men and women with demanding jobs. However, stimulant addiction can happen to anyone regardless of their situation.
If you are addicted to stimulants and have decided to quit, you may be worried about a few things. One concern you may have is how you will stay awake at your job if you are in withdrawal, especially if you have been using stimulants for a long period of time. To answer this question and learn more about stimulant withdrawal, read on.
Withdrawals and Stimulant Abuse
Stimulants affect the user’s central nervous system by increasing neurotransmitter activity in the brain. After a person uses stimulants for a long time, their brain becomes used to the drugs and relies on them to regulate cognitive function. When that person stops using stimulants their brain must now learn how to function all on its own. This leads to withdrawals. The symptoms of withdrawals are often:
• Feelings of unhappiness and depression
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Dehydration
• Chills
• Slower movements
• Slower heart rate
• Irritability
• Slowed speech patterns
• Loss of interest in activities
• Increased appetite
• Memory issues
• Fatigue
• Paranoia
• Body aches
• Cravings for drugs
• Insomnia or increased need for sleep
In some cases, depression from stimulant withdrawal can be extremely severe. For individuals with a history of depression, this feeling may be worse.
Working During Withdrawal
Congratulations on taking such a very important step in your life! Unfortunately, this is where the hard part comes in. If you are not able to take time off from work while you are in withdrawal from stimulant abuse, you may be wondering what you can do to stay awake. Since you are used to giving your body a drug to keep your mind awake and sharp, you may experience tiredness and lack of concentration when you quit. Here are some ways to stay awake when you are working without stimulants in your system.
• Start with a good night’s sleep- You may be used to getting just a few hours of sleep every night if you relied on stimulants to get you through your waking hours. Now is the time to make sure you are getting at least eight hours of shut-eye a night, more if you think you need it. If you are still having trouble falling asleep, consider taking Melatonin to help your body rest.
• Drink caffeine- Some addicts want to swear off of all drugs, including caffeine, when they are in recovery. However, caffeine is a great alternative to over-the-counter or illegal drugs when you need to stay awake at work.
• Drink water- It may not seem like it, but dehydration can cause us to feel varying levels of fatigue. Make sure you drink the recommended amount of water for your age and weight throughout the day. It will also help fight your withdrawal symptoms.
• Keep it cool- If you have control over the thermostat, keep your area cooler while you work. Keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees, or even cooler if you can stand it, will help you stay awake and alert.
• Get up and move around- If you have a desk job or a job that requires you to stand in one place for long periods of time, you’ll find yourself falling asleep much faster. Get up frequently and move around as much as you are able. After a quick walk, you’ll feel less drowsy when you return to work.
• Eat well- While you may want to turn to candy bars and tons of soda to get an energy rush, you will feel worse when you crash from your sugar high in a couple of hours. Start the day with a healthy breakfast before work. Then, make sure you eat lunch and have healthy snacks on hand to munch on. While an energy drink can get you through a particularly tiresome day, try not to rely on them all the time.
Considering Rehab for Addiction
If you are able to take time off from work to go through withdrawals from stimulants, we are here to help. Give us a call today to learn how we can help you detox before providing you with the assistance you need to stay in recovery. You can reach us at 833-497-3812.