Stimulants, commonly referred to as uppers, increase energy and dopamine (pleasure hormone) levels within the brain, resulting in euphoria. Continued use of stimulants causes the brain to reduce the natural production of dopamine, making it difficult for those who abuse stimulants to feel pleasure without the drug. As a result, it is difficult for people with a stimulant addiction to recover without the aid of rehab for stimulants.
Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Meth, and Molly (MDMA) are the most commonly abused narcotic stimulants treated in rehab. Although these substances have varying levels of severity, duration, and side effects, they are all equally dangerous in their addictiveness. Rehab is necessary to provide support and stability in the aftermath of stimulant addiction.
What Are the Most Common Stimulants?
Many stimulants have increased in use across the U.S. in recent years, and at alarming rates. Three of the most abused narcotic stimulants are crack-cocaine, methamphetamines, and MDMA (“molly”). There is absolutely no medical use for any of these substances, which is why all of the substances listed are only available from street vendors and drug dealers. The potential for continued abuse and addiction for all stimulants is extremely high.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are a type of stimulant drug that can be found in both prescription medications and illegal drugs. They work by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain, resulting in increased alertness, energy, and focus.
The effects of amphetamines make the substance a common drug of choice for those seeking an energy boost or enhanced performance, but they can also have serious side effects and risks.
Prescription amphetamines, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are commonly used to treat conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. These medications can be effective when used properly under the guidance of a doctor. However, they also carry a risk for abuse and addiction.
On the other hand, illegal amphetamines are highly addictive and have no accepted medical use. They act on the brain in a similar way to prescription amphetamines but with much more intense and dangerous effects. These drugs, also known as “speed” or “meth,” are often produced in illegal labs and can be found in a variety of forms, such as pills, powder, or crystals.
The use of amphetamines, whether prescription or illegal, can lead to serious side effects and health consequences, including:
- Appetite suppression and rapid weight loss
- Insomnia and exhaustion
- Increase heart rate and blood pressure
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Seizures
Crack-Cocaine
Crack cocaine is a chemically modified form of the narcotic stimulant cocaine. Crack abuse spread rapidly due to its faster and more intense high. Crack-cocaine use spread like wildfire because it was relatively cheap, and very potent. The name “crack” comes from the crackling sound that emerges from burning cocaine chunks.
Smoking crack cocaine delivers the dopaminergic-mind altering substance to the pleasure center faster than intravenous drug use because the blood route from the lungs to the pleasure center is shorter than from the arm to the pleasure center.
Crack-cocaine’s effects are felt rapidly, and peak very rapidly. While the effects of crack are super-stimulated, the short high lasts for as little as two minutes and extends to twenty minutes at most. As a result, users often abuse crack in binges to make up for the short-lived nature of the high. The binge cycle of crack repeats in a short-lived stimulant effect followed by an extended energy-draining crash. Subsequently, crack abuse fuels tolerance, dependence, and addiction that never live up to the short-lived side effects.
Short-lived effects of crack-cocaine include:
- Intense euphoria
- Grandiosity: increased sense of self-importance
- Heightened concentration and focus
- Central nervous system stimulation
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
Once you become addicted to crack, you become obsessed with the pleasure from the drug’s short-lived side effects. Individuals addicted to crack become isolated from the people around them, and through that isolation, they are allowed to be consumed by nothing but their never-ending chase toward euphoria.
Those who suffer from crack-cocaine addiction spiral into compulsive binge episodes in an attempt to prolong the duration of the high. The uncontrollable need to stretch out the euphoric bursts from the drug leads crack addicts to behave irrationally and illogically. As a result of the incredibly short half-life of crack cocaine, crack withdrawal symptoms start almost immediately after use.
Methamphetamine
(meth)
Methamphetamine, also known as meth, is a highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system.
The use of methamphetamine has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with many individuals becoming addicted to its powerful effects. This dangerous drug can be smoked, injected, snorted or taken orally.
Methamphetamine works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and reward. This surge of dopamine leads to intense feelings of pleasure and motivation.
Common effects of meth include:
- Feelings of euphoria
- Increased energy
- Decreased appetite
Long-term use of methamphetamine can result in serious health consequences such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Organ damage
Meth can also cause psychological effects such as:
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Mood disturbances
MDMA
MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) is a synthetic psychedelic drug that alters the mind and elicits feelings of euphoria.
Although MDMA is commonly considered synonymous with the terms Molly and Ecstasy, the difference between the drugs is the level of purity. MDMA’s chemical composition is purely, solely 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. In comparison, Molly and Ecstasy have MDMA in them, in theory, but are mixed, or laced, with a myriad of other chemicals.
Richard Cohen documents MDMA use as already being popularized during the mid-1990s. The term for the MDMA by-product, Molly, began receiving attention in 2011. Regardless, pure MDMA is far from “safe.” MDMA is a man-made substance created in illegal laboratories with the intended purpose of producing a mild hallucinogenic experience and heavy stimulant effect. It cannot be stressed enough, the purity of MDMA does not negate the dangerous side effects it can inflict on those who use it.
Often referred to as the “happy” drug, a “high” on Molly typically elicits a vibrant wave of euphoria. The side effects of Molly, however, are not always a positive experience. A misconception surrounding Molly is that MDMA is free from “bad trips”. Bad trips, or negative mental and emotional experiences, are actually a common side effect of Molly.
Molly has been peddled as MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) by drug dealers across the USA. Teenagers and young adults often take Molly, thinking they are taking pure MDMA. On the contrary, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) says that only 13% of Molly contains MDMA. Expanding on that, this means 87% of Molly contains no MDMA whatsoever, and the 13% of Molly that does contain MDMA is still laced with other hazardous chemicals.
People who abuse Molly operate under the dangerously false belief that they know the substances that they are introducing into their body. Each individual dose of Molly has the potential to be entirely different in chemical composition to the next dose.
How Do Stimulants Work?
Stimulants work by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals are responsible for regulating our mood, attention, and motivation. When stimulated, they can give us a sense of euphoria and increased alertness.
Side Effects of Stimulants
Stimulants come with a variety of negative side effects. In general, the side effects vary depending on the type of stimulant used and the length of time it has been abused.
Some common physical side effects of stimulant abuse include:
- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia
- Changes in appetite leading to weight loss or gain
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating and chills
- Dry mouth
- Dilated pupils
Some common mental side effects of stimulant abuse include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Confusion
The side effects of stimulant abuse can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.
Dangerous side effects of stimulant abuse include:
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Aggression
- Psychosis
- Chest pains
- Heart attack
- Cold fingers
- Convulsions and seizures
- Kidney failure
- Death
The most common is a crash or “come down” after the initial high wears off. This can lead to feelings of exhaustion, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. There is also a risk of addiction with long-term use of stimulants.
Signs of Stimulant Abuse
Cocaine use typically starts small in an attempt to re-energize. Often, people give in and try cocaine halfway through a party, for a study-aid to power through the final hours of studying, or to prepare for a work presentation. Unfortunately, most people who use cocaine in this manner have already developed a level of dependence on the substance without the proper knowledge to realize it. There is a litany of signs associated with cocaine abuse that can help you identify the possible behavioral and physical changes within yourself or a loved one.
Signs of cocaine addiction may include:
- Planning activities around cocaine use
- Engaging in other high-risk behaviors
- Loss of interest in activities
- Prioritizing cocaine use
- Continuing to use despite negative effects
- Withdrawal symptoms and/or cravings
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or others, you may suffer from a cocaine use disorder and require comprehensive treatment. It is important to recognize the development of your physical dependence on cocaine in order to safely detox from stimulants.
Warning Signs of Stimulant Use
Behavioral changes from stimulant use:
- Change in eating habits
- No eating during use
- Binge eating during withdrawal
- Change in sleeping habits
- Not sleeping during use
- Binge sleeping during withdrawal
- Mood swings
- Euphoric and sporadic during use
- Depressed and irritable during withdrawal
- Demeanor
- Talkative, social butterfly during use
- Social isolation during withdrawal
- Financially irresponsible
- Grandiosity and risky behaviors
Appearance identifiers of stimulant use:
- Dilated pupils
- Runny nose
- Nose bleeds
- White powder around the nose (intranasal use)
- Chapped lips or red marks on the mouth (smoking)
- Burn marks on the hands and lips (smoking)
- Rapid weight loss
- Poor hygiene habits
- Increased need for privacy
- Razor blades, straws, and other cocaine paraphernalia
- Darting eyes or avoiding eye contact
- Inappropriate clothing choices for the climate
- Sweaty or clammy skin
- Needle markings on the skin (intravenous use)
Stimulant Addiction
Stimulant addiction is a growing problem in today’s society, with more and more individuals falling prey to its grasp. These substances, like caffeine and nicotine, can provide a temporary high or boost of energy, but can quickly lead to dependence and negative consequences.
How Do People Get Addicted To Stimulants?
However, as the body becomes accustomed to these artificial boosts of dopamine and norepinephrine, it starts to rely on them for functioning properly. This is when addiction sets in. The user may feel like they cannot function without their regular dose of stimulants, often leading to compulsive use and negative effects on their physical and mental health.
Stimulant Use Disorder Levels of Severity
Stimulant Addiction Cycle
Stimulant withdrawals present with the common “crash” associated with stimulants. Following the “high”, feelings of euphoria and energy from cocaine quickly deplete as the drug leaves the body. The resulting “crash” triggers a rapid decrease in mood, as the brain is now void of dopamine. The onset of cravings becomes visceral in an attempt to replenish dopamine levels. After, cravings subside and fatigue crashes over the body. Despite the overwhelming sense of exhaustion, people addicted to cocaine often require other drugs of the depressant variety in order to find sleep.
Following the initial crash, people who abuse stimulants can experience rapid mood shifts and a heightened emotional range. The irrational and erratic shifts in mood is an indicator of the emotional instability that precedes anhedonia. Anhedonia, the inability to feel enjoyment, is a common side effect of prolonged cocaine abuse. No longer able to produce positive emotion, people become entirely dependent on the drug, falling into the cycle of “getting high to feel pleasure, crashing into anhedonia, craving pleasure, getting high to feel pleasure”, etc. This cycle makes it almost impossible to avoid a stimulant relapse without the careful attention and support of medical and psychological professionals within a rehab for stimulants.
Our goal at Royal Life Centers is to make detoxification from stimulants as smooth as possible, which is why our guests are monitored through and after detox by our 24/7 on-site medical staff to ensure safety and comfort during stimulant rehab.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stimulants
Stimulant abuse often starts as a social activity, used occasionally during celebrations or special events. However, addiction can develop quickly, sometimes after just a few instances of heavy use. This rapid progression occurs because prolonged cocaine use diminishes the brain’s ability to experience pleasure naturally, creating a reliance on the drug. Recognizing the signs of a developing stimulant addiction is crucial.
Stimulant use has significant effects on the brain. While the short-term impact often includes intense euphoria, this fleeting high leaves the brain deprived of its ability to feel pleasure once the drug wears off. Over time, this can lead to severe consequences, including intense dysphoria, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Research strongly suggests that the alteration of mood, concentration, thinking, memory, and judgment is are possible side effect from brain damage caused by chronic abuse of stimulants.
Yes, withdrawal from stimulants is possible and should not be underestimated. Unlike physical symptoms seen in other types of withdrawal, stimulant withdrawal primarily involves mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Common symptoms include severe mood swings, unpredictable behavior, and irrational thoughts. The intense craving for the drug can drive individuals to act recklessly, often disregarding negative consequences such as legal trouble, damaged relationships, or even engaging in criminal activity.
To ease stimulant withdrawal symptoms, medical professionals often recommend nutritional supplements, non-addictive medications, and light exercise routines. During stimulant detox, reestablishing structure is essential—this includes maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, following a balanced diet, and staying well-hydrated. Our treatment approach prioritizes restoring physical health while providing the rest and recovery that stimulants once disrupted, helping guests regain balance and well-being.
Stimulant withdrawal symptoms typically last about four days when managed through professional medical detox. However, in cases where severe symptoms arise, such as psychosis, the withdrawal process may be longer and more challenging. The intensity of symptoms can vary, and serious complications like psychosis highlight the importance of medical supervision. Proper care, including medication and professional oversight, is essential to ensure a safe and effective detox process.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS) may arise after completing detox. These symptoms are physical reactions triggered by cues associated with prior drug use and can persist for several months. Due to their prolonged nature, inpatient treatment and ongoing care are strongly recommended to support recovery and long-term well-being.
Stimulant Addiction Treatment At Royal Life Centers
After medical detox at Royal Life Centers, guests begin transitioning to the most important part of treatment, a residential inpatient program. Residential inpatient is a comprehensive structured treatment environment. Treatment during rehab for stimulants focuses on the neuropsychiatric, psychological and social aspects of addiction. Individual and group therapy are among the many ways that recovery-sensitive cognitive behavioral therapy (RS-CBT) is delivered.
Our residential inpatient program is a 2-week long program, which can be extended to 4-weeks. Our outpatient services are a part of our 12-week program that transitions guests from a partial hospitalization program (PHP) to an intensive outpatient program (IOP). A residential and IOP rehab stay is best followed by ongoing aftercare. We provide individualized treatment programs that introduce patients to self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Residential and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) usually last from 30 days to 6 months. We provide aftercare options, such as sober living, to aid in your recovery journey once you have completed treatment at rehab for stimulants.
Looking for a Rehab for Stimulant Addiction?
We can help you get started right away. We work with most private insurance policies, and we have affordable private pay rates if you do not have insurance. Give us a call, and we will figure out the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.
