Stimulant Addiction
What Are Stimulants?
The misuse of prescription stimulant drugs has become very common amongst highschoolers and college aged students. Some of the most common stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, and Dexedrine. Prescription stimulants or “study drugs,” are used to help increase focus and attention to tasks at hand. For people who truly struggle concentrating, it can help them concentrate at a similar level as their peers. For people who don’t struggle with concentration, it can actually disrupt someone’s ability to focus because they can become jittery. According to a 2020 survey by SAMHSA, approximately 5.1 million people ages 12 and older reported misusing prescription stimulants. Additionally, roughly 750,000 people qualified as having prescription stimulant disorder.
Prescription stimulants are most commonly prescribed to people struggling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). These drugs work by releasing dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is involved in creating feelings of pleasure and reward whereas norepinephrine affects blood pressure, heart rate and other essential non-voluntary functions.
Symptoms of Prescription Stimulant Use
If you are the parent or loved one of someone you suspect is abusing prescription stimulants, it can be incredibly difficult to definitively know for sure.
Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with prescription stimulant use.
If your loved one is experiencing multiple symptoms, it is possible they are misusing stimulant medication.
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, blood sugar
- Taking more stimulants to create the desired effects
- Developing a high tolerance for prescription stimulants
- Continued use despite consequences in school, personal or professional relationships
- Consistently requesting more prescriptions before refill due date
- Continuing use despite physiological or physical harm
- Inability to cut down or stop prescription drug use
If you suspect your loved one is abusing prescription stimulants, our team is here to help. Our leadership team has extensive experience counseling individuals who struggle with abusing prescription stimulants and are equipped to effectively treat your loved one. Contact us today to learn more about our program and how we can help.
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