Are you currently struggling with stimulant addiction, or do you know someone else who may be suffering from an addiction of this kind?
If so, it’s important to reach out for addiction help as soon as possible. Trying to overcome a drug addiction alone can be difficult and sometimes even dangerous. Stimulant rehab has been proven time and time again as being not only the safest but also the most effective way to overcome a stimulant addiction. If you want to learn more about drug rehab and addiction treatments, contact us today. We are here to help you.
Our highly-qualified addiction specialists will be happy to answer any questions and give you the free, confidential advice you need to start your recovery journey today – phone us on 0800 470 0382 for more information.
What Are Stimulants?
Stimulants are a type of drug that works by altering your central nervous system (CNS) to help with cognitive function and increase your alertness. Stimulants may be in the form of prescription medications, or they may be illegal substances such as cocaine. Stimulants can be taken by injection, orally, or snorted through the nose. You must reach out for help today if you have a stimulant addiction.
Stimulants or CNS stimulants work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine within your brain. Increasing these chemicals in the brain can improve your concentration and decrease fatigue. These are common factors present in people who have ADHD. However, stimulants can also cause some very severe and negative effects. The substances can also be very addictive if used in large quantities or abused.
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The Effects of Stimulants and Abuse
Prescription stimulants have a very high risk of being abused and turning into an addiction. Many people choose to abuse stimulants to enhance performance rather than trying to get high. It is very common for athletes and students to abuse prescription stimulants as a way of outperforming their peers.
Some of the common effects of using stimulants include the following:
- Decreased appetite
- Euphoria
- Increased energy and concentration
- Talkativeness or nervousness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased pulse
- Higher blood pressure
Stimulants can produce very high dopamine levels, the pleasure-inducing chemical within the brain. When someone continues to abuse stimulants, the brain will no longer be able to produce the normal amounts of dopamine because the brain is conditioned to receive dopamine from the drugs.
When the person stops taking the drugs, they experience a range of withdrawal symptoms. This then creates a physical dependency on the drugs and will require the person to continue taking the drugs so that they can feel normal. Over time, this is what then develops into drug addiction.
Addiction to Stimulants
When someone is addicted to stimulants, the substance will become a priority in their life. When someone is an addict, they will usually ignore all of the negative consequences of the addiction, whether they are health or personal problems. Stimulants flood your brain with dopamine which is the pleasure chemical. This is why people often use these drugs frequently and repeatedly. Addictions to stimulants can cause immediate and long-term effects on the person’s health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with stimulant addiction, you must reach out for help as soon as possible. Get in touch with us today to learn more about drug rehab for addictions and how you can achieve the full recovery you’re longing for.
Signs and Symptoms of a Stimulant Addiction
The progressive and subtle negative effects will quickly outweigh the initial positive effects of stimulant drugs. Stimulants are categorised as prescription drugs such as amphetamines or illicit drugs such as cocaine. While these are slightly different, the long-term effects of stimulant addiction and abuse are usually the same.
If you are consuming stimulant drugs for a long period of time, you may experience some or all of the following psychological and behavioural symptoms:
- Increased mood swings
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Increased anxiety
- Irritability
- Erratic behaviour
- Panic attacks
- Disturbed sleep
- Headaches
Long-term use of stimulant drugs can also lead to mental health problems, including the following:
- Auditory hallucinations – hearing things that aren’t real or hearing voices
- Psychosis – being paranoid all of the time
- Severe depression
- Panic disorders
Since stimulants can increase the activity of certain chemicals, such as dopamine, which causes intense feelings of pleasure whenever stimulants are taken, it becomes more and more difficult for the person to stop taking them. This is because your mind and body will become dependent on the drugs and will require you to take the drugs more often or in higher doses to get the same effects.
There are some short-term symptoms of stimulants. When you take stimulants, another chemical in your brain is released. This is called norepinephrine, affecting your heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory system. This causes the short-term symptoms of taking stimulants and may include the following:
- Decreased blood flow
- Increased breathing rate
- Dilated pupils
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pains
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
If you choose to take high doses of stimulant drugs, the effects on your body can lead to the above symptoms occurring at very dangerous levels. This may put your health at a huge risk. Taking high doses of stimulants can cause your body temperature and your heartbeat to increase significantly. In some cases, taking too much of a stimulant drug can even cause seizures and heart failure.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to stimulant drugs, get in touch with us today by calling 0800 470 0382. We are here to help you break free of these addictive behaviours so that you can go on to live a much happier and healthier life. Consider stimulant rehab for treatment if you feel like you are suffering from addiction.