The quest for more alertness and energy throughout the day can lead people to turn to everything from high-powered coffee to prescriptions and even illegal drugs to get an edge. With the stress of trying to get more done in a busy and on-demand world, people can develop a stimulant addiction that can prove difficult to beat. For friends and loved ones that want to help, knowing how to identify the signs of stimulant abuse becomes more crucial than ever.
Risks of Stimulant Addiction
Before we get into some of the most common signs of stimulant addiction, knowing some of the associated risks with a rampant stimulant addiction can help you better understand what’s happening with someone suffering from the condition. The complications resulting from this abuse include:
- Damage to the respiratory system — asthma, pulmonary edema, lung hemorrhages, etc.
- Heart disease, even in otherwise healthy young people
- Muscle toxicity
- Strokes, seizures, brain lesions, and other neurological complications
- Various sexual and reproductive problems — spontaneous abortions, loss of libido, impotence, etc.
Additionally, people suffering from stimulant addiction can also develop an array of psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, mania, and more. Whether it’s Adderall, cocaine, dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, or some other kind of stimulant, the potential side effects are varied.
The Most Common Signs of Stimulant Abuse
If you believe someone you love suffers from stimulant abuse, there are some common signs you can look out for that can help you know something is wrong. You can check for some physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations, stomach issues, or insomnia, but these aren’t the only noticeable signs.
Knowing how to spot both the big and seemingly minor changes in someone’s behavior can help identify a problem and that someone you love has developed an addiction to stimulants. Whether prescription stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin abuse or something stronger, this kind of substance abuse presents itself in multiple ways. There’s an array of behavioral indicators that can pinpoint a stimulant abuse addiction, including the following symptoms:
- Extreme overconfidence and self-esteem
- Noticeable hyperactivity
- Rapid speech and exaggerated movement
- Poor impulse control
- Worsening hygiene
- Consistently neglected responsibilities
- Increased difficulty concentrating
- Risky behavior
- Odd sleep patterns
- Inexplicable weight loss
Knowing when someone you love suffers from a stimulant drug addiction is only part of the solution. It is equally important to know where you can turn to get them the help they need to get onto the road to recovery. For people seeking stimulant abuse rehab in Mahanoy City, PA, Silver Pines Treatment Center is here to help.
Explore the Addiction Treatment Programs We Offer
There isn’t one singular approach to stimulant abuse recovery that works for every patient. However, knowing how to tailor a stimulant abuse treatment program in Mahanoy City, PA, to the exact needs of that particular person will go a long way towards ensuring they stay on their road to recovery. We work with each person on an individual level to figure out what works best for their healing and provide them the support they need for continued success.
If you or someone you love suffers from stimulant addiction, please don’t wait. Contact our team at 267.719.8689 to learn more about our programs and admissions process today.
