Stimulant Drug Addiction Treatment

Author: Justin Mckibben

Stimulants are well known as party drugs because they keep users alert and awake all night. Stimulants are often also abused by students trying to find a quick fix style remedy to stay up studying. The way these drugs work is by speeding up the messages going between the brain and the body through an increase in the activity of the central nervous system.

These drugs are very dangerous, and many people do not recognize the dangers of some prescription medications that actually have the same potential to become addictive and very devastating to the individuals mind and body. Those who are suffering need to know that there is stimulant drug addiction treatment, so that they can discover how to overcome this powerful and sometimes deadly affliction.   

Stimulant Drug Addiction Treatment: Prescription Stimulants

There are many ways to describe the effects of stimulants. Physically they typically prescription stimulants are use for effects such as:

• Increased alertness
• Increased attention
• Increased energy
• Elevate blood pressure
• Regulating heart rate
• Regulating respiration

Stimulant drug addiction treatment acknowledges that stimulants were historically used to treat a variety of ailments that included but were not limited to:

• Asthma and other respiratory problems
• Obesity
• Neurological disorders

But as their potential for abuse and addiction became apparent, the medical use of stimulants has had a decrease over the years. Today stimulants are prescribed to treat those who have not responded to other treatments, and only for a few health conditions, including ADHD and depression.

A stimulant addiction is especially difficult when trying to make progress out of the stages of drug dependence when you are still taking some form of stimulant. Stimulant drug addiction treatment is designed to help people who have relied on a medication such as Adderall or other ADHD medications, either by providing alternatives or by helping them develop other coping skills.

Stimulant Drug Addiction Treatment: Types of Stimulants

Euphoric feelings are one of the major reasons that users choose to partake in stimulants. They are a result of an increase of Dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure that the individual experiences. Other drugs that are considered stimulants include:

• Ecstasy
• Speed
• Base
• Ice
• Methamphetamine
• Amphetamine
• Dexamphetamine
• Phentermine
• Methylamphetamine
• Crystal Methylamphetamine
• Paramethoxyamphetamine
• Cocaine
• Crack Cocaine

Stimulant drug addiction treatment can be useful to save lives, especially with how stimulant abuse often claims lives. The use and continued abuse of stimulants has been found to be associated with a nearly two-fold increase in likelihood of suicidal behavior among people who inject drugs, according to research from the University of Montreal and the CHUM Research Centre.

The role of drug addiction in suicide has for a long time been understood as a major risk factor. Suicide is the cause of 10% of deaths among drug users, and the amount of people who die from stimulant overdose only compounds the damage these drugs do to the people who don’t get stimulant drug addiction treatment.

Stimulant Drug Addiction Treatment: Detox

The first step in the process of stimulant drug addiction treatment is a medical detox. During this stage, individuals are given a confidential assessment in order to find out what drugs and how much is currently in the users system, as well as the length of time they have been using whatever stimulant.

Typically people are required to take a drug test and meet with an intake counselor to give a brief drug history to help with the initial assessment, and again all the results and information you share are kept confidential. These tests are done in order to make a treatment plan that will best serve a person’s individual needs. Plus if there is any other potential for risk then the staff would want to be aware in order to make sure all the persons medical needs are met.

During the detox period of stimulant drug addiction treatment, everything will be done to assure a person is kept comfortable. Meals and other needs provided and may be given medication to assist you in your detox from stimulant drugs in both a safe and comfortable way.

Stimulant Drug Addiction Treatment: Inpatient Rehab

The next stage of stimulant drug addiction treatment is inpatient rehab, which frequently is a program that lasts 30 days and offers safe haven while individuals start to build a foundation for recovery. Some stimulant drug addiction treatment programs last longer, from weeks to months longer for those who want to get as much professional treatment as possible.

During stimulant drug addiction treatment people again have their needs taken care of while they live in the facilities residential property. Inpatient rehab allows an addict in recovery to attend both individual and group therapy sessions where they will learn tools and healthy coping methods in order to continue to live a healthy sober lifestyle after completing stimulant drug addiction treatment.

People believe that their stimulant addiction is only a physical dependence, or even a necessity for a condition, but in reality they have surpassed their own reservations and continue to abuse stimulants that are very dangerous. Stimulant drug addiction treatment is all about helping those people live without those strings attached. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-951-6135