EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH
Stimulant use disorder?
Stimulant use disorder is a chronic brain disease where a person uses stimulants excessively or compulsively, even when it causes negative consequences in their life. Stimulants are drugs that increase alertness, energy, and focus such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription ADHD medications.
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
How stimulant use disorder might show up
Stimulant disorders can lead to a variety of problems — including addiction, physical health issues, and relationship challenges.
There are different types of signs and symptoms that someone may be struggling with stimulants. Physical signs include increased heart rate and blood pressure, changes in appetite (either decreased appetite or eating more than normal with increased cravings), difficulty sleeping, weight loss, physical aches and pains, dizziness, tremors.
Signs related to a person’s behavior include taking stimulants in larger doses or for longer than prescribed, needing to take stimulants more often to get the same effect, continuing to use stimulants despite negative consequences (social problems, legal problems, relationship problems), neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home, engaging in risky behavior to get stimulants.
Additional signs include increased anxiety, paranoia, irritability, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. These can worsen and even cause psychosis and hallucinations in severe cases.
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Stimulant use disorder is diagnosed by a mental health professional based on a combination of some of the symptoms mentioned above lasting six months to a year for adolescents and adults. They will discuss your history of stimulant use, as well as family history of mental health and substance use disorders, as well talk about physical symptoms and any other experiences related to stimulants.
Treatment can include residential and outpatient substance use services such as individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric and medication treatment.
Frequently asked questions about stimulant use disorder
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Mixing stimulants with other drugs is incredibly dangerous and can significantly increase your risk of serious health problems, even death. Stimulants can mask the effects of depressants, making it easier to overdose. Mixing stimulants with other drugs can put added strain on your heart and circulation, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, or organ damage.