Stimulants, like so many other addictive medications, are a growing concern for addiction treatment centers across the country. A unique challenge associated with stimulants is the variety of drugs across this singular group and their varying effects. Below is a list of the most common legal and non-legal stimulants across the United States:
Most Common Stimulants:
With a variety of stimulants ranging from products like coffee and cigarettes, to illegal substances such as cocaine and methamphetamines, the treatment of these stimulants evolves based on the individuals seeking treatment and their own unique cases. Whether it’s a patient trying desperately to quit smoking, stuck on medications to treat their attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or fighting the dangerous battle with a long-term meth or cocaine addiction, stimulants pose a tremendous risk of addiction due to their desired effects. Stimulants are used to increase focus and productivity, thus leading to desired habitual use, and an over consumption to reach such desired results when pertaining to addiction.
It’s easy for patients to become addicted to medications and drugs such as stimulants, which aim to enhance their ability to function throughout their daily lives, but it’s not so easy for an individual to admit they need to seek treatment for their stimulant addiction. Societal factors such as pressures from work, access to prescriptions, and acceptable usage of these common drugs make it difficult for individuals and loved ones to realize they may be addicted to stimulants. Additionally, there are many cases where stimulant use is accompanied by other substance use, often taken to counteract the undesired effects of stimulants such as anxiety and paranoia. This is the case for many people but when the time comes and stimulant addiction is evident, the most reliable solution will become seeking stimulant addiction treatment at an addiction treatment facility.
Stimulant addiction treatment would begin at LICR with medically assisted treatment and detoxification. Many individuals believe (or have been told) that there is no medical detox protocol for stimulant addiction, however, the physical separation from stimulants can be just as demanding as other addictive substances.
During the detoxification period of one week, clients will be able to rest, while incorporating movement and learning. Clients participate in all treatment programming from day one. We ease the patient into integrated forms of counseling that help to enhance motivation for sobriety, address underlying issues contributing to their addiction, cope with cravings, and manage any lasting effects of their chronic use. The most pivotal of these during their inpatient addiction treatment would be the coping effects from their addiction. Cravings for stimulants in the post-acute withdrawal phase can be intense, with symptoms of mood swings, irritability, aggression, restlessness, and anger, so a multitude of body-relaxation strategies and communication skills will be learned and utilized within the patients program, some of which are listed below:
These programs at LICR, along with individual and group therapies will prepare patients for sobriety outside of treatment, however the effects of long-term stimulant use can lead to an increase in depression, anxiety, PTSD, paranoia, and psychosis. Therefore, we strongly recommend continuing with outpatient treatment after becoming stabilized and building the foundation of recover in an inpatient setting.
Yes. It is an old belief that stimulants are non-addictive substances, but this is not the case. Anyone who is dependent on stimulants and feel its reaches a point where the effects are taking away from their life, rather than contributing, should seek treatment.
There is no FDA approved medication to treat stimulant addiction, but withdrawal effects still exist, so patients are prescribed medications during detox to ease their discomfort.
For stimulant patients we recommend a full stay of 28 days to institute all the tools and activities for future sobriety as well as safely monitored detoxification.
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