Are Stimulants Addictive?

Stimulants can range from everyday substances like caffeine in coffee, to prescription ADHD medications and illegal street drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. Are stimulants addictive substances? Yes. Stimulants can range in potency and availability. Some of the effects of stimulant addition can be as mild as minor insomnia, to as dangerous as a life-threatening overdose.

Using stimulant substances causes a surge of dopamine to be released into the brain. The high levels of dopamine go far beyond what natural activities like eating and drinking can produce. The sudden rise in dopamine produces immediate euphoria, pleasure and elation. With constant use, the body begins to crave this feeling and can lead to tolerance, dependence and addiction to stimulants.

Stimulant addiction is a common type of substance use disorder. Studies show that about 10% of young adults have reported abusing stimulants, with about two-thirds of young adults reporting they had the opportunity to abuse prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin. When used correctly, prescription stimulants can be effective in treating many disorders. But stimulants are very potent and can easily lead to abuse and addiction.

What are Stimulants?

Stimulants are substances that increase activity in the central nervous system. This increases alertness and wakefulness, increases cognitive function and can even produce feelings of euphoria. Stimulants cause the brain to release high levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

Norepinephrine helps to regulate mood, attention, learning, memory and arousal. Dopamine plays an important role in the control of movement, cognition and motivation. When stimulants flood the brain with dopamine, the pleasure-seeking hormone can produce an intense high. Serotonin affects reinforcement, motivation, learning and memory.

The most well-known stimulants are prescription medications as well as illicit street drugs.

• Prescription Stimulants: Prescription stimulants are medications like amphetamines, methylphenidates and dextroamphetamines. They are used to treat symptoms of ADHD, narcolepsy, obesity and nasal and sinus disorders. Popular brand names include Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse and Concerta.
• Amphetamines: Pseudoephedrine and Dexedrine.
• Cocaine: Cocaine is commonly referred to by its street names crack and coke. It is a Schedule II controlled substance made from the coca plant. It is usually a fine white powder that is snorted or injected. Other street names include snow or blow. It is often used recreationally.
• Methamphetamine: Meth is a powerful, Schedule II controlled substance. It usually appears in a white powder or solid crystal-like state, referencing the names glass and ice. It is often used recreationally.
• MDMA/Ecstasy: A Schedule I controlled substance with both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Also known as a party drug or club drug.
• Synthetic cathinones: Bath salts are synthetically made and produce feelings of euphoria and alertness. It can also cause psychosis. Common street names include Vanilla Sky, White Lightning, and Cloud Nine.
• Everyday Stimulants – Caffeine in coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks.

Initial Effects of Stimulants

• Euphoria
• Decreased appetite
• Heightened sense of awareness
• Increased talkativeness
• Enhanced physical and mental performance
• Increased energy and wakefulness
• Increased concentration
• Difficulty sleeping
• Increased heart rate and increased blood pressure

Are Stimulants Addictive?

Stimulants work to increase alertness, attention and energy. Most importantly, it impacts the reward system of the brain. In a normally functioning brain, activities like eating, drinking, and sex can activate the reward system. When stimulants are introduced, they stimulate the same neurotransmitters that affect the reward system, leading to tolerance and dependence on the drug.

Stimulant use disorder is a common type of substance addiction and crosses many socioeconomic lines. It can impact anyone. Prescription stimulants are regularly prescribed by doctors. Illicit stimulants are also regularly used for recreational purposes.

The more often they are used, the more at risk a person is of developing an addiction to the drug. The more stimulants are used, the more the brain becomes trained to crave the dopamine high they produce. With repeated use, the brain will need more in order to experience the same effects. This is called tolerance and dependence.

When a person abuses stimulants over a period of time, they are at greater risk for addiction. Withdrawal symptoms such as drug cravings, mood swings, insomnia, hallucinations and headaches can occur when users suddenly try to stop drug use. Withdrawal from stimulants can be very uncomfortable and even life-threatening if not treated properly.

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Signs and Symptoms of Stimulant Addiction

Overdose is a big indicator of stimulant use addiction. In 2023, the CDC reported an estimated 60,000 overdose deaths involved cocaine and the abuse of other stimulant substances. Stimulant overdose is unpredictable and can occur with any use. This means whether it is your first time using stimulants or you are a regular user, you are at risk for experiencing an overdose.

Common risk factors for Stimulant Addiction

• Gender – men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs and develop a stimulant use disorder
• Psychiatric disorders – people with depression, anxiety, ADHD and other mental health conditions are more likely to use drugs and develop a stimulant use disorder
• Alcohol use – alcohol shares common metabolites with stimulants that can work to extend and enhance the euphoria of stimulant use
• Genetics – people who grow up in a family where members abused stimulants are more likely to use drugs themselves
• Environmental – people who grow up in a setting where drug use is prevalent increase the chances they will develop a stimulant use disorder. Students faced with high expectations or people with extreme work demands are also more prone to abusing stimulants to help them keep up or get ahead. People in poverty or people who face unemployment are more likely to develop a stimulant use disorder.
• Easy access to medication
• Personal history of trauma or violence

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Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorder

Substances like cocaine and meth are popular street stimulants commonly used recreationally and have a high potential to cause addiction. Prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin are also commonly abused and can lead to addiction. Professional behavioral treatment centers like Hotel California by the Sea provide treatment for stimulant addiction.

We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and MAT. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals of sobriety and overcome their addiction.

References:

https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/stimulant-use-disorder

https://www.wellnessresourcecenter.com/drug-addiction/stimulants/signs-symptoms-withdrawals

https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576548