Stimulants are a class of drugs that increase alertness, focus, and energy levels. Unfortunately you can develop a stimulant addiction and struggle with the negative effects of that addiction.
Stimulants can come in many forms including prescription medications like Adderall or Ritalin as well as illegal substances like cocaine or crystal meth. These drugs have intense effects on the body and mind that can quickly become addictive if used in excess. Here are some of the important things to know about stimulant addiction.
How Do Stimulants Work?
Stimulants work by affecting certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. These chemicals are responsible for sending messages between nerve cells in the central nervous system. The feel-good neurotransmitter is dopamine, which helps regulate mood, motivation, and focus.
The class of stimulant drugs includes cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamines, and prescription medications like Adderall and Ritalin. When a person takes a stimulant drug, it causes an increase in dopamine production, resulting in increased mental alertness and energy levels. In addition to this effect on the brain, stimulants can also affect other bodily systems such as those involved with heart rate and blood pressure. This can result in increased physical activity or decreased appetite.
The effects of stimulants can be beneficial for people who are struggling with fatigue or lack of focus due to medical conditions such as ADHD or depression. However, they can also cause adverse effects if used inappropriately or taken without consulting a doctor first. Stimulants can increase the risk of developing anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and rapid heartbeat when taken in large doses or over a long period of time. In some cases, they may even lead to addiction or dependency when abused.
What is Stimulant Addiction?
When an individual uses stimulants regularly for a long period of time they can become tolerant to the drug’s effects or even dependent on it. When this happens, they may find themselves unable to reduce the amount of the drug they take without experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, or cravings for the drug. Additionally, if someone attempts to quit using the drug cold turkey they may experience severe side effects such as seizures or psychosis.
Contact The Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana For Help
Are you or a loved one struggling with stimulant addiction? If so, you are not alone. Stimulant addiction is an increasingly common problem affecting many people. It can cause physical, psychological, and social damage if left untreated. Fortunately, The Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana can help.
We understand the many challenges associated with addiction, plus we know how the problem can impact on your family, work and personal relationships. At The Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana, we go above and beyond to assure that treatment is successful. We emphatically believe that choosing the right facility is critical. With two campuses here in Baton Rouge, we have the space and staff to help you beat your addiction.
Contact our team by calling us at (225) 361-0899 or filling out our online form.
