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The Signs and Symptoms of Stimulant Addiction

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Addiction remains a serious and prevalent problem in the U.S. The disease of addiction runs deep in the roots of many families. This includes the disease of stimulant addiction. The good news is there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one to recover from stimulant addiction.

Better Understanding Stimulant Addiction

Stimulant addiction is not a monolith. It is an umbrella term for many different types of stimulant use disorders. This includes addiction to cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin.

In fact, millions of people misuse prescription stimulants. This is primarily to “stay alert.” According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, “Approximately 16.0 million U.S. adults used prescription stimulants in the past year (annual average), 5.0 million misused prescription stimulants without use disorders, and 0.4 million had use disorders. Cognitive enhancement was the most commonly reported reason for misusing prescription stimulants. Patients who are using their medication for cognitive enhancement or diverting their medication to others present high risks.”

Getting to the point of obtaining prescription stimulants off the street is just one more dangerous step toward deeper addiction. This is why being able to spot the signs and symptoms of stimulant addiction before it gets to that point can be so critical.

The Signs and Symptoms of Stimulant Addiction

Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of stimulant addiction are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of the signs and symptoms of stimulant misuse and addiction:

  • Isolating away from family and close friends
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
  • Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
    Not being able to stop once starting the use of stimulants
  • Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
  • Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
  • Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Experiencing trouble at work or school
  • Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
  • Exhibiting excessive mood swings
  • Causing harm to oneself or others
  • Having suicidal ideations

Now, many people can minimize stimulant addiction or falsely categorize it (especially prescription stimulant addiction). However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner rather than later is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.

How to Best Recover From Stimulant Addiction

The key to recovering from stimulant addiction is to utilize as many treatment modalities as possible. This is also known as the multi-angled approach. These treatment modalities should include “traditional” psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). 

These psychotherapies can be particularly effective because they help get to the underlying issues of stimulant addiction. It is important to remember that addiction often runs much deeper than simply taking the drink or the drug – it is often said that it is a “disease of the mind.”

A big part of DBT is “enhancing the capabilities” that stimulant addiction has robbed from the individual. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Psychiatry (Edgmont), “Within DBT, the assumption is that patients with BPD either lack or need to improve several important life skills, including those that involve (a) regulating emotions (emotion regulation skills), (b) paying attention to the experience of the present moment and regulating attention (mindfulness skills), (c) effectively navigating interpersonal situations (interpersonal effectiveness), and (d) tolerating distress and surviving crises without making situations worse (distress tolerance skills).”

Other Means, Methods, and Modalities for Stimulant Addiction

There are many other effective modalities for healing from stimulant addiction. This includes experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy. This is because being in nature can be extremely beneficial. According to the U.S. National Park Service, “5 minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation. Frequent exposure to nature reduces anxiety and depression while promoting a sense of well-being and fulfillment.” Also, “Physical activity in a green space can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels by 15%.”

Other helpful modalities include holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation. These two holistic means can help an individual find their “balance” and create an essential sense of serenity, which can be used when times are “triggering.” This also helps to avoid a relapse.

Recovering From Stimulant Addiction With Lantana Recovery

Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are comprehensive, individualized, and always focused on the future. This includes our treatment plans for stimulant addiction.

Recovery is out there, just over the horizon line. The key is to ask for help, and go out there and get it.

Stimulants like cocaine, methamphetamines, prescription pills, and over-the-counter substances remain very popular in the U.S. They are also highly addictive and destructive. This is why it is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of stimulant addiction and to understand how to recover from it. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with stimulant addiction or other issues of mental illness, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about stimulant addiction and how best to recover, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.

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Charleston South Carolina

Charleston South Carolina

Located on the historic peninsula of Charleston, South Carolina, Lantana Recovery takes a modern approach to Substance Use Disorder treatment, offering intensive clinical care while also immersing our clients in local Charleston culture.