There are numerous categories of drugs individuals commonly use and sometimes grow dependent on. One such grouping of substances are known as stimulants. These chemicals carry the potential to cause serious harm and might require aggressive detox efforts geared towards preserving an addict’s health or even their life.
Stimulants Overview
Stimulants are given that label because they stimulate the speed at which the body and brain performs. Those using these drugs, sometimes colloquially referred to as uppers, have been known to experience heightened physical strength and mental focus over short bursts.
From a biological standpoint, these substances precipitate the brain’s release of a mood-impacting chemical called dopamine. This hormone often enhances one’s mood and carries the capacity to induce excited, possibly even euphoric states. Under the influence of said substances, users often:
- Feel more confident
- Lose their inhibitions
- Gain a sense of invincibility
- Talk more frequently
- Believe they possess and can offer greater mental insight
Moreover, said subjects typically feel a sudden and significant rush of energy inspiring them to ascertain that they can execute any task.
Stimulant Categories
Not all stimulants are illegal substances purchased on street corners and dark alleyways. In fact, said drugs are differentiated into two categories, legal, therapeutic offerings and the illicit chemicals.
Legal Stimulants
These drugs, also sometimes known as prescription stimulants are prescribed by doctors and used by patients for legitimate health-boosting purposes. Commonly used substances include Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta. In a solid number of cases, medical professionals prescribe these drugs to address conditions such as attention deficit disorder, often abbreviated as ADD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
Illegal Stimulants
The most noted illicit stimulants are cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamines, and crack. Those using these drugs often witness an immediate burst of mental and physical strength. However, the feelings are short-lived and ingesting individuals must abuse more prodigious quantities of the specific substance to experience intended or desired results.
Addiction
Continued repeated or heavy use of these drugs increases the user’s chances of becoming dependent. Over time, this type of chemical reliance carries the risk of damaging just about every bodily system and bringing about serious, possibly permanent concerns including:
- A weakened immune system
- Cardiovascular issues
- Oral care problems
- Declining sexual desires and performance
Above all, however, continued stimulant abuse could lead to severe mental issues, such as anxiety, depression, panic disorders, delusions, psychoses, and even irreversible brain damage.
Furthermore, stimulant dependency could result in a host of social, personal, legal, and financial problems.
Recognizing The Signs Of Dependency
Addicts deep in the throes of their dependency may not comprehend the urgency of their predicament. Ergo, close relations of said individuals are often called upon to demonstrate vigilance and notice certain signs indicating a serious problem may be afoot. Moreover, being alerted to such red flags might serve as the initial impetus to helping the stricken subject seek treatment.
Medical professionals and addiction specialists urge loved ones to be on the lookout for symptoms like:
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity
- Decreased appetite
- Digestive issues
- Weight loss
- Increased perspiration
- Anxiety
- Feelings of euphoria
Additionally, a dependent might engage in lying and other untoward behaviors like stealing to obtain money to support their habit.
Long-standing or severe addictions could lead to acute, serious emergencies, such as overdose, heart attacks, strokes, or involvement in accidents.
Withdrawal
Many stimulant dependents experience withdrawal should they abruptly cease ingesting their drug of choice. Symptoms will vary depending on factors, such as the user’s general health, the specific drug they are abusing, and the addiction’s severity.
That said, common stimulant withdrawal symptoms, include agitation, disrupted sleep cycles, increased hunger, fatigue, depression, and intense drug cravings. These feelings will begin a few hours following their last fix and only intensify with time.
In certain cases, withdrawal is not a life-threatening emergency and dependency could be treated by simply lessening one’s dosage of a prescription therapeutic. However, those hooked on illicit stimulants could face serious struggles or possibly even death should their addiction not be treated quickly and aggressively.
Some dependents often require medically supervised detox because of the risk of cardiovascular problems or associated psychoses. In such instances, an experienced team of trained drug detox healthcare providers gradually wean the user off a given chemical.
Moreover, stimulant detox is not a one size fits all approach. There are no set of drugs employed to wean the dependent off of the addictive substance. Therefore, treatment is often created in accordance with the recipient’s needs and adjusted as circumstances dictate.
Upon ridding one’s brain and body of the stimulant drug, those with formally severe or lasting addictions often benefit from undergoing inpatient treatment designed to help them cope with lingering mental cravings, identify the reasons they began using to start with, in addition to readjusting to life as a sober person.
Contacting Us
If you or a loved one is looking to break free of a stimulant addiction, please reach out to us. Our Columbus, Ohio-located facility employs a staff well-versed in addressing this problem and boasts an impressive record of helping patients conquer said dependency. Call us at 833-497-3812.