Stimulant Addiction Treatment in Asheville

Amphetamine & Other Stimulant Drug Abuse

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Stimulants are a type of drug that affect the body’s central nervous system. These substances produce a euphoric “rush” or high when ingested and increase energy levels, feelings of wellbeing, and confidence. Stimulants are highly addictive, meaning they have a significant potential for abuse.

Seeking help for a substance use disorder or drug addiction is never easy. If you are reading this and believe that you may need help controlling or stopping your stimulant use, you have already taken a commendable first step in the recovery process. We encourage you to continue reading or reach out to our team at Carolina Recovery Solutions to learn more about our Asheville stimulant addiction treatments. We proudly offer a full range of integrated, personalized programs that are designed to meet the unique needs of each individual person. Our staff offers professional, educational support and compassionate care in a comfortable, welcoming environment. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help.

Call Carolina Recovery Solutions at (828) 383-8328 or contact us online using our secure submission form to set up an appointment with a member of our team.

What Are Stimulants?

Stimulants, also known as “uppers,” are a classification of drug that includes both prescription medications and illicit substances. While these drugs vary in appearance and effect, they share the common element of “stimulating” the body’s central nervous system. This results in elevated mood, energy, and feelings of calm, alertness, and wellbeing.

Some common examples of both legal and illegal stimulants include:

• Amphetamines
• Methamphetamines (meth)
• Cocaine and crack-cocaine
• Ecstasy
• MDMA
• Synthetic cathinone (“bath salts”)
• Nicotine
• Ritalin
• Adderall
• Dexedrine
• Concerta
• Vyvanse

Medically, stimulants are used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and other mental health conditions. It is possible for someone who is prescribed with a stimulant for a legitimate medical purpose to develop an increased tolerance, dependency, and addition to the drug.

Stimulant Addiction & Withdrawal

It is possible for anyone who takes or misuses stimulants to become dependent on or addicted to these substances. While certain risk factors may increase an individual’s susceptibility to addiction, there is no one factor that can be blamed for stimulant abuse or addiction.

Like other types of drug addiction, stimulant addiction typically develops in the following way:

• Tolerance: As an individual uses a stimulant over time, they may experience their tolerance for the substance increase. This means that they must take more of the drug, or take the drug more frequently, to achieve the same effects they experienced after their initial use. In other words, the more tolerance a person has, the more of the drug they will need to take to get high.
• Dependency: As tolerance grows, an individual may begin to become dependent on the stimulant. Drug dependency is typically characterized by withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance. Someone who is dependent on a stimulant, therefore, will begin experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when not taking the stimulant.
• Addiction: As a person becomes dependent on a drug, their risk of becoming addicted skyrockets. Addiction often develops alongside dependency and is characterized by a compulsive desire to continue taking a drug despite negative consequences in the individual’s life associated with their drug use.

Because stimulants produce a rush of euphoria, flooding the brain with powerful “feel-good” receptors, withdrawal symptoms associated with these substances are notoriously bad. The exact type of stimulant used, as well as the duration of use, will play a role in the specific withdrawal symptoms an individual may experience.

Signs of Stimulant Addiction:

• Dilated pupils
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity
• Wight loss
• Sweating

That being said, some of the most common stimulant withdrawal symptoms include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Feeling “on edge”
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Restlessness
• Mood swings
• Chills
• Shaking
• Dehydration
• Slowed movements
• Fatigue
• Paranoia
• Memory problems
• Insomnia
• Weight changes
• Increased appetite
• Nightmares
• Dulled senses
• Slowed heart rate
• Body aches
• Cravings

Often, it is not safe for people to suddenly stop all stimulant use. Rather, they should undergo supervised medical detox to avoid serious and potentially life-threatening side effects from sudden withdrawal.

How Is Stimulant Addiction Treated?

In addition to medical detox, many people struggling with stimulant abuse and addiction require inpatient rehab and residential treatment. With residential treatment, patients live fulltime at our facility for a matter of weeks or months. This allows them access to 24-hour support and care, all while providing a calm, low-stress environment free of everyday triggers and stressors that can lead to relapse.

After completing the residential treatment program, patients may move to intensive outpatient treatment. With this type of treatment, patients live at home but come to our facility several times a week for treatments, which typically last several hours or most of the day. In some cases, intensive outpatient treatment may be appropriate as a first step in recovery. This is typically only the case when stimulant abuse or addiction is less serious.

At Carolina Recovery Solutions, we realize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to drug addiction treatment. Because of this, we customize our programs to meet each patient’s unique needs. Our caring and experienced staff is here to guide you through the process, from the initial intake to various forms of treatment to aftercare and beyond. Our goal is to help you recover your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing while also repairing relationships—both with others and yourself.

A Whole-Person Approach to Recovery

We believe that recovery isn’t just about stopping drug use. We believe in a whole-person approach that accounts for every aspect of your health and wellbeing. With a team of licensed therapists, registered nurses, addiction specialists, on-site yoga instructors, acupuncturists, and other professionals, we provide a full range of treatments and therapies to help you heal and achieve long-term sobriety.

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug abuse, contact us at (828) 383-8328 and learn more about our Asheville stimulant addiction treatment program.