Stimulant Drug Use: Effects, Addiction & Treatment

Stimulants make up a wide variety of different substances, yet all tend to make the user feel more awake, attentive, confident, or energetic. They affect the body’s central nervous system by increasing neurotransmitter activity inside the brain.1  

Prescription stimulants are defined as Schedule II drugs by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, meaning they have a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to psychological or physical dependence.2 After heavy or prolonged use, the user’s brain tends to grow reliant on the drug to regulate their cognitive function and focus.1

Types of stimulants   

Stimulants include prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidate, and diet aids. Illicit stimulant drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. 

Available in various forms, including pills/capsules, injectable liquids, and powder, stimulants can be taken orally as well as smoked, injected, and snorted. The onset of stimulant effects depends on the type of stimulant and how it was taken.3 Generally, the effects are most immediately felt when the substance is smoked, snorted, or injected, as opposed to taken orally.4 Stimulant drugs include: 3

Prescription Stimulants: 

• Amphetamines (Adderall® and Dexedrine®) 
• Methylphenidate (Concerta® and Ritalin®) 
• Diet aids (Didrex®, Bontril®, Preludin®, Fastin®, Adipex P®, Ionomin®, Meridia®)  

Illicit Stimulants: 

• Cocaine 
• Crack cocaine 
• Methamphetamine 
• Ice (Crystal methamphetamine) 
• Methcathinone 
• MDMA (also known as “ecstasy” or “molly”)
• “Bath Salts” (synthetic cathinones designed to mimic effects of illicit stimulants)5

Aside from their intended therapeutic effects, stimulants are often misused to increase self-esteem, reduce appetite, produce a sense of exhilaration, extend wakefulness, improve physical and mental performance, increase activity, and experience a rush or “high.”6 However, a wide array of stimulant side effects can be felt. These include: 3,6  

• Rapid heartbeat 
• Reduced appetite 
• Dehydration 
• Mood swings 
• Anxiety 
• Paranoia 
• Panic 
• Aggression 
• Suicidal or homicidal tendencies 
• Auditory or visual hallucinations  

The misuse of stimulants can cause a host of negative effects, including an increase in the severity of side effects. Other negative effects of stimulant misuse include an increased risk of severe physiological episodes such as heart attack, seizure, and stroke.8

Prescription stimulants are generally considered safe and effective when taken as prescribed. However, their psychoactive properties make them subject to misuse, both for cognitive and physical performance enhancement and recreational purposes.1  

Young adults often obtain prescription stimulants through diversion, that is, obtaining them through a friend or relative. Sometimes, young adults with legitimate prescriptions for stimulants such as Adderall® will sell, trade, or give away their medications to peers who want to use them recreationally.1 

Many illicit stimulants, including cocaine and MDMA, are known widely as “party drugs,” meaning they are widely used in social settings, such as at parties, raves, or music concerts. These illicit substances are also widely misused by combining them with alcohol or other drugs. Misuse of stimulants in this way increases the severity of their side effects and increases the risk of overdose.

Can You Overdose on Stimulants? 

Yes, you can overdose on stimulants. The effects of stimulants on the human body can vary, based on such factors as the type of stimulant involved, the method and dosage of use, and the user’s underlying health issues.4 Stimulant overdose can occur with any method of use, including oral consumption.  

The effect of stimulants can sometimes be unpredictable, based on the user’s physical makeup. As a consequence, it is often difficult to discern how much is “too much.”4 The risk of stimulant overdose is increased exponentially when mixed with illicit stimulants like cocaine, which may be laced with fentanyl or other substances. 

While not all stimulant overdoses are fatal, even non-fatal overdose cases may be serious and require medical attention. Stimulant overdose signs include:4 

• Dilated pupils 
• Dizziness 
• Tremors 
• Irritability 
• Confusion 
• Mood swings 
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Rapid breathing 
• Rapid heartbeat 
• Excessive sweating 
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) 
• Chest pains or tightness 
• Anxiety or panic 
• Auditory or visual hallucinations 
• Psychosis

Yes, stimulant drugs are classified as Schedule II controlled substances meaning they can be highly addictive.1

Stimulants affect the functioning of the brain’s dopamine neurotransmitter system, increasing dopamine levels. The higher the substance dose, therefore, the greater the user’s feelings of euphoria and wakefulness. As dopamine levels and pleasurable feelings subside, the user experiences an intense desire to replicate those pleasurable feelings by using the substance again. This tendency toward repeat use is characteristic of substance use disorder (SUD) and underlies most of the other effects of stimulant drugs and other addictive substances.8  

People who use stimulants like ice, speed, cocaine, and nicotine regularly grow physically dependent on them. These users may feel they need the drug to fulfill such everyday activities as working, studying, and socializing. They may also develop tolerance, meaning they need larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect.3 The signs of stimulant addiction include:8  

• Anxiety 
• Loss of appetite 
• Confusion 
• Depression 
• Irritability 
• Memory problems 
• Psychotic symptoms 
• Poor work or academic performance 
• Stealing stimulants 
• Forging prescriptions for stimulants 
• Taking higher doses of stimulants than is prescribed 
• Repeated requests for early prescription refills 
• “Doctor shopping” (trying to obtain multiple prescriptions from multiple doctors)

Although several types of stimulant drugs vary in their effects, most stimulants have similar withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms begin within 24 hours of the last use of stimulants and continue for three to five days. Common stimulant withdrawal symptoms include:9,10  

• Fatigue 
• Agitation and irritability 
• Depression 
• Increased sleeping and appetite 
• Muscle aches 
• Intense cravings for the drug 
• Anhedonia (reduced ability to experience pleasure)  

People who use large amounts of stimulants, particularly methamphetamine, can develop psychotic symptoms such as disordered thoughts, paranoia, and hallucinations. They may also pose a risk of harming themselves or others. Fortunately, symptoms can be managed using antipsychotic medications and often resolve within a week after the last stimulant use.10

Stimulant addiction treatment can take place in numerous professional settings. However, the recovery process should always start with detox. Stimulant detox is the process of ridding the substance from the body while managing any uncomfortable or dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can occur. 

Following detox, the patient moves onto one or more treatments designed to help them remain sober and avoid relapse. These treatments include inpatient, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), outpatient (OP), and aftercare. Of course, the specific treatment plan depends on the patient and their specific needs.  

During treatment, patients typically receive therapy and learn coping mechanisms to help them in their recovery. Most treatment programs include one or more research-based behavioral therapies, along with support groups. Many addiction treatment programs offer dual diagnosis treatment that addresses the addiction alongside any co-occurring mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta knows that recovery from stimulant drug addiction starts with taking that first step toward a new way of living. Our stimulant addiction treatment programs in Atlanta are designed to empower you to strive toward a life of health and wellness.  

We offer a variety of rehab programs that can be tailored to fit your individual needs, including partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, and outpatient (OP) treatment. We also offer one full year of free recovery coaching to help you remain focused on your recovery after you graduate from one of our programs.  

The Empowered Recovery Center admissions team can answer any questions you might have, including those around paying for rehab, and using insurance. If you’d like to learn more about our comprehensive and individualized addiction treatment programs, contact us today or verify your benefits online.

References 

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2021). Prescription Stimulant Misuse and Prevention Among Youth and Young Adults. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved November 18. 2024, from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep21-06-01-003.pdf 
2. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (n.d.) Drug Scheduling. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling 
3. Alcohol and Drug Foundation (2024). Stimulants. Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/stimulants/ 
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Overdose Prevention. (n.d.) Stimulant Guide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 16, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/media/pdfs/2024/03/CDC-Stimulant-Guide.pdf 
5. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (n.d.) Bath Salts. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/bath-salts 
6. Department of Justice/U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.) Drug Fact Sheet: Stimulants. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Retrieved November 20, 2024 from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Stimulants-2020.pdf 
7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.) Misuse of Prescription Drugs Research Report. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/overview 
8. U.S. National Library of Medicine (2021). Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders, Chapter 2— How Stimulants Affect the Brain and Behavior. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576548/
9. U.S. National Library of Medicine (2021). Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders, Chapter 3—Medical Aspects of Stimulant Use Disorders. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576550/
10. U.S. National Library of Medicine (2009). Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings—Withdrawal Management. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/