Researchers create new drug formulas all the time to treat new and existing health conditions. However, not all of the drugs that they make are safe. Many stimulants, whether they are man-made or naturally occurring substances, are highly addictive. While stimulants can help those with ADHD or other conditions, they also have a high potential for abuse.
If you are struggling with stimulant abuse or addiction, reach out for help today. An addiction treatment center can help you overcome stimulant abuse and begin the road to recovery.
Do you need addiction counseling? Call us today at 866.957.7885.
What Is a Stimulant?
The definition of a stimulant is a substance that enhances attention, alertness, and awareness. At the same time, it increases blood pressure and accelerates breathing and heart rate. Some people refer to stimulants as uppers because their effects speed up functions in the body. They can even make people more energetic and improve mood.
Stimulants are psychoactive drugs that include both legal and illegal substances. Examples include:
- Caffeine
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine (meth)
- Nicotine
Several prescription drugs are also stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin.
Are Stimulants Addictive?
When you wonder what a stimulant is, you may also wonder if they’re addictive or not. In general, all stimulants are addictive because they cause similar effects in the body. However, some are more addictive than others and even have life-threatening risks.
Caffeine is one of the most commonly used stimulants in the world. It naturally occurs in coffee and tea, and it’s present in cocoa beans, which people use to make chocolate. Heavy caffeine consumption can lead to anxiety and insomnia. It can also lead to withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and irritability.
Nicotine is highly addictive, but people around the world still use it. In the early 20th century, smoking tobacco became fashionable. However, it currently has no significant medical use and is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year.
Prescription stimulants have a medical purpose such as treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and obesity. They enhance the effects of norepinephrine and dopamine, which are hormones that occur naturally in the body. However, they can cause agitation, insomnia, euphoria, fast breathing, and increased blood pressure.
Cocaine and meth are incredibly addictive, dangerous, and illegal stimulants. In the 19th century, some experts advocated cocaine use as therapeutic for mental disorders. Later, they discovered its addictive properties, and the U.S. government made the substance illegal.
People can snort, inject or inhale cocaine and meth, while some of them even take the drugs orally. The effects of both manifest quickly, but there are consequences for abusing them. Meth, for instance, destroys brain tissue and can cause brain damage. Those who develop addiction need thorough meth addiction rehab or cocaine addiction rehab to recover.
What Are the Long-Term Side Effects?
Stimulant abuse can have long-term side effects. The severity depends on the type of stimulant, though. For instance, the side effects of caffeine won’t be as severe as those of cocaine. However, a few of the adverse effects after long-term use include:
- Coma or death
- Convulsions
- Difficulty breathing
- Irregular or pounding heartbeat
- Mental disorders
- Psychosis
- Ulcers
In addition to the physical side effects, there are also psychological ones. These include:
- Anxiety
- Delusions
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Violent behavior
If you or someone you know is struggling with stimulant abuse, please get help as soon as possible. There are many resources available to those who need it. Don’t let stimulant abuse control your life. Seek help and start on the path to recovery today.
What Does Treatment for Stimulant Abuse Look Like?
Some people who abuse stimulants don’t need formal treatment. They can stop using on their own. However, many others can’t. In fact, many individuals do need help to quit. Treatment for stimulant abuse usually starts with counseling and behavioral therapy.
Counseling can help you:
- Understand why you abuse stimulants
- Learn new coping skills
- Deal with other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety
- Behavioral therapy can help you:
- Change the way you think about stimulant use
- Avoid people and places that trigger your urge to abuse stimulants
- Learn new activities and ways to cope with stress
For some people, treatment also may include medicine. For example, doctors may prescribe antidepressant medicine to help with depression or anxiety.
If you abuse stimulants and have a hard time stopping, treatment can last for a long time. But most people who get treatment do better than those who don’t.
Get Treatment for Stimulant Addiction at San Antonio Recovery Center
Do you have a stimulant abuse problem and want help? San Antonio Recovery Center is a drug and alcohol rehab facility in Texas. We offer a range of addiction rehab programs for addictive substances, including:
Don’t let lack of knowledge about stimulants keep you from getting treatment. Learn more about what is a stimulant and how we can help you. Reach out to us at 866.957.7885, or contact us online to begin the admissions process today.
