Stimulant Abuse And Addiction: Signs & Treatments

Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M.D. on March 17, 2023

Stimulant drug abuse can quickly lead to physical dependence and addiction. Common substances of abuse include amphetamines such as Adderall, and flakka. Treatment options for substance use disorders may include evidence-based or holistic therapies.

Stimulant Abuse And Addiction

Stimulant drugs speed up the body’s systems, creating sensations of intense euphoria, wakefulness, and improved mental performance.

Some stimulant drugs have no medical use, while others are commonly prescribed to treat a range of issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

People with stimulant drug addiction may experience dangerous physical and mental side effects. Luckily, there are several effective treatments for substance use disorders involving stimulant use.

What Is A Stimulant Drug?

Central nervous system stimulants are a type of drug that temporarily improves mental or physical functioning, elevates mood, and increases energy levels.

Stimulant drugs can take the form of caffeine in coffee and nicotine in cigarettes. Other common stimulants of abuse include cocaine, methamphetamine, Ritalin, and Adderall.

What Is Stimulant Use Disorder?

A stimulant use disorder may occur when a person chronically uses stimulant drugs despite mental and physical harm.

Symptoms of a stimulant use disorder may include:

  • inability to stop using stimulants
  • intense cravings to use stimulants
  • abusing stimulants despite negative impacts on work, school, or relationships
  • taking more stimulant medications than prescribed
  • experiencing withdrawal symptoms
  • increased tolerance

Illicit Vs. Prescription Stimulants

According to data reported in the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 36 million U.S. residents aged 12 and older have abused prescription stimulants in their lifetime.

Many prescription stimulants such as Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin are obtained illicitly through doctor shopping, fraudulent prescription refills, or stealing medications.

Stimulants such as illicit methamphetamine and cocaine are manufactured in clandestine labs and trafficked throughout the country illegally by drug dealers.

Both legal and illegal stimulants are harmful when abused, and can lead to potentially life-threatening reactions such as respiratory depression and overdose death.

Are Stimulant Medications Addictive?

Prescription stimulant medications are abused in a variety of ways, and over time may lead to severe psychological and physical addiction.

Prescription drug abuse and addiction are particularly high among high school students, with nearly 17% of high schoolers reporting amphetamine abuse.

Most Commonly Abused Stimulant Drugs

Below are some of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs on the market today.

Amphetamine

Amphetamine drugs are addictive, mood-altering substances that are both abused illicitly and legally prescribed to treat children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adults with narcolepsy.

Adderall

Adderall is a type of amphetamine categorized as a schedule II controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), meaning the risk of addiction or potential for abuse is high.

Learn more about Adderall abuse.

Ritalin

This prescription medication is commonly used to treat ADHD, but can also be abused for its stimulant properties.

Both Adderall and Ritalin work by keeping dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters in the brain longer, creating mental sharpness, improved concentration, and a euphoric “high.”

Read more about Ritalin addiction.

Vyvanse

This medication is used to provide people with focus and energy for up to 12 hours and can lead to addiction when used outside of the guidance of a physician.

Vyvanse abuse is high among teens, who sometimes take the drug to improve their grades in school.

Flakka

Flakka (alpha-PVP) is similar to the street drug bath salts and is typically found in white or pink crystal form.

When abused, flakka can cause paranoia and terrifying hallucinations that may lead to violent behavior and self-injury.

Learn more about flakka abuse.

Modafinil

Modafinil is prescribed to treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. People who misuse modafinil can quickly develop an addiction to the drug.

Modafinil addiction may eventually lead to mental health issues such as depression, cognitive difficulties, and serious damage to the heart and other vital organs.

How Stimulants Affect The Mind And Body

Stimulants work by speeding up the central nervous system, thereby increasing the messages sent to and from the brain.

Stimulant Effects On The Brain

Stimulants increase the activity of the brain chemical dopamine and norepinephrine.

Dopamine is a chemical responsible for rewarding behaviors, while norepinephrine affects blood vessels, heart rate, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

Stimulant Effects On The Body

People who abuse prescription or illegal stimulants will likely feel a euphoric rush, accompanied by increased heart rate and breathing, and high blood sugar.

At high doses, stimulants may lead to increased body temperature, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and seizures.

What Do Stimulants Do To The Heart?

Stimulants cause the heart to beat faster and harder, increasing blood pressure and strain on the cardiac muscle.

People with heart disease may put themselves at considerable risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) when they abuse stimulants.

Can Stimulants Make You High?

Using stimulants can make you high, particularly when they’re being used outside of the guidance of a doctor.

What Does A Stimulant High Feel Like?

A stimulant high will typically cause feelings of well-being, confidence, and alertness. Higher doses may result in anxiety, tension, seizures, and aggression.

People with ADD, ADHD, or narcolepsy may not feel the same euphoric effects when taking prescription stimulants, as the medication will put them in a state of normality.

Signs And Symptoms Of Stimulant Misuse

Everyone who abuses stimulants may exhibit different signs and symptoms based on the type of substance, frequency of abuse, and length of time using the drug.

Symptoms of stimulant abuse include:

  • deceptive behavior
  • ordering stimulants without a prescription
  • risky or impulsive behaviors
  • angry outbursts
  • changes in appetite
  • twitches or jitteriness
  • rapid heartbeat
  • weight loss
  • hair loss
  • skin problems
  • delusions
  • confusion
  • anxiety

Long-term effects of stimulant abuse may include:

  • social isolation
  • relationship strains
  • gastrointestinal problems
  • cognitive deficits
  • financial problems

Treating Stimulant Abuse

Stimulant abuse is dangerous, but help is available in the form of evidence-based treatment services at a rehab center.

Stimulant addiction treatment programs may include:

  • detoxification
  • medication-based treatments
  • short-term or long-term residential treatment
  • intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
  • psychiatry services
  • dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental disorders
  • support groups for young adults with prescription opioid or stimulant addiction
  • mental health services
  • outpatient rehab programs
  • services for family members
  • cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
  • group, individual, and family therapy

Receiving reputable addiction treatment is essential in avoiding dangerous stimulant withdrawal symptoms and other life-threatening complications.

FAQs About Stimulant Drug Abuse

The commonly asked questions below may help you or your loved ones find the help needed to reach sobriety.

Some stimulants, such as Adderall, might make people feel fatigued, calm, or sleepy, particularly if the drug is being taken for an ADHD diagnosis.

Stimulant drugs may increase the risk of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. This may be a result of comedown symptoms or a problem related to long-term abuse.

Learn more about Adderall-induced depression.

Symptoms such as anxiety may be exacerbated if somebody has been abusing stimulants and abruptly stops taking them, resulting in withdrawal symptoms.

Amphetamine detox may take up to seven days, depending on a person’s overall health and the severity of their addiction.

Yes, there are inpatient programs for drug abuse involving stimulants and other substances. A residential program may last between 30 days to a year, depending on the needs of the client.

Stimulant drugs are covered under multiple drug classifications. For example, stimulants such as ecstasy (MDMA) are considered Schedule I drugs meaning they have no known medical use.

Other stimulants, such as Ritalin and Vyvanse are schedule II controlled substances, meaning they have a legitimate medical use but also carry a high risk of abuse.

Street names for illicit drugs such as ecstasy, meth, and cocaine include speed, crystal, snow, dust, rock, vitamin E, and ice.

Prescription methamphetamines may have street names such as addies, bennies, speed, uppers, kibbles and bits, and whizz.

Taking too much of any stimulant may result in a life-threatening amphetamine overdose.

Signs of amphetamine overdose may include abnormal heartbeat, paranoia, psychosis, hyperthermia (high body temperature), and chest pain.

People should avoid taking stimulants if they have underlying conditions such as cardiovascular problems, glaucoma, severe anxiety, tics, moderate to severe hypertension, or bipolar disorder.

To avoid potentially serious side effects, it’s always recommended that people talk to their health care provider before starting or stopping a stimulant medication.

Tolerance to amphetamine drugs and other stimulants can build up with chronic drug use. A high tolerance may result in weaker drug effects and may be a sign of substance abuse.

Find Substance Abuse Treatment Today

Call our helpline today for more information about stimulant addiction and treatment services. Our team can assist you in your journey to recovery.

This page does not provide medical advice. See more

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Medically Reviewed by
Johnelle Smith, M.D. on March 17, 2023
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