Many people begin using stimulant drugs thinking they can control their intake. Unfortunately, whether they have their own prescription or get the drugs somewhere else, they risk their safety. Nevertheless, if you or someone you love needs stimulant detox, we have the right program for you. We can help ease stimulant withdrawal symptoms and get you back to living a sober life.
What Are Stimulants?
Stimulants come in two forms of drugs; prescription and “street drugs”. Prescription stimulants include drugs used to treat conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Common ones prescribed for ADHD include Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, Focalin, and Methylin. In addition to these conditions, stimulants can also help treat sleep disorders such as narcolepsy by increasing a person’s energy level and alertness. Common prescription drugs for sleep disorders include Ritalin and Provigil for example.
Street drug stimulants, often referred to as “uppers”, include cocaine, crack, illegally manufactured amphetamines, and methamphetamines. Some people abuse a stimulant drug called khat. This drug is made from the leaves of a shrub found in East Africa and imported to the U.S. While prescription stimulants can help many people, abuse of them can still occur. Both this type of drug and the street versions require stimulant detox to help end addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Stimulant Addiction
When a person becomes addicted to stimulants, they exhibit warning signs. Hence, as a result of these signs, it’s important for them and their loved ones to be on the lookout for these. Physical signs and symptoms of stimulant addiction include:
- Elevated heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Sweating
- Shakiness
- Change in appetite
- Racing thoughts
- Confusion
- Hair loss
- Increased body temperature
- Seizures
Emotional and psychological symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Moodiness
- Aggressiveness
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
A person addicted to stimulants may exhibit changes in their behavior. Furthermore, they may lie about their drug usage or try to hide evidence of it. In fact, some people doctor shop, which involves visiting several physicians in order to get multiple stimulant prescriptions. Moreover, they may also obtain the drug through illegal channels. Lastly, when high on the drug, they may engage in risky behavior without worrying about negative consequences.
Stimulant Withdrawal Symptoms
Anytime a person stops taking a drug to which they are addicted, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Which withdrawal symptoms happen varies from person to person. Last but not least, it depends on how long the addiction has lasted, how much of the drugs they consumed, and their health status. Emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
Physical withdrawal symptoms can also happen. These may include:
- Chills
- Lowered heart rate
- Slow movements
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- Feeling jittery
- Slow speech
- Dehydration
- Change in sleep pattern
- Impaired memory
- Change in appetite
- Weight loss
- Cravings for the drug
Stimulant Withdrawal Detox Timeline
How long withdrawal takes depends on several things. First, how long the person has been addicted and the typical dosage they consumed factor in. Second, their particular physical and mental health can also determine how long withdrawal lasts. A common guideline for the stimulant detox withdrawal timeline is as follows:
- Day 1 to 3: Withdrawal symptoms begin during the first day after last consuming stimulants. People often feel body aches, anxiety, and sleepiness. Drug cravings set in and some people experience paranoia or hallucinations.
- Day 4 to 10: Drug cravings intensify during this period. Fatigue and depression may also set in. Additionally, most withdrawal symptoms peak during the middle of this period, then start to subside.
- Day 11 to 17: Most symptoms have lessened or disappeared by this point. However, common ones that may still linger include depression, moodiness, and changes in sleep patterns.
Any withdrawal symptoms that remain past this point are called Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). This often includes changes in mood, such as depression, and continued drug cravings. Lastly, PAWS symptoms can last from several weeks to several months.
Ready to Escape Addiction? Let’s get started.
Detox Nashville is a premier leader in the provision of addiction treatment services. If you or someone you love is in need of professional care to address a substance use disorder, reach out to us right now at (615) 845-4747 to speak with an admissions specialist who can get you started on the road to recovery.
What Happens During Withdrawal?
When a person addicted to stimulants stops using them, withdrawal symptoms usually occur. Fortunately, stimulant detox further provides the necessary support to help recognize these symptoms and treat them. First, trained staff members will identify symptoms and provide any needed medical assistance. Thus, this helps ease and even eliminate many painful withdrawal symptoms, making the detox process easier. Additionally, they can also offer psychological support for symptoms like anxiety, depression, and moodiness.
The detox process also helps a person begin to understand what contributed to their addiction. This work continues through any inpatient or outpatient treatment. Individual and group therapy give each person the opportunity to identify stressors and triggers. They learn to develop healthy coping skills and keep from relapsing.
Many programs additionally offer holistic therapy options to complement addiction treatment. For example, these can include things like massage therapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga, and mindful meditation. When used alongside other treatments like therapy and medications, holistic therapy offers great benefits. These benefits include reducing anxiety and depression and making a person feel more in tune with themselves. Holistic therapy can also reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Once a person completes stimulant detox, plans for the next steps of their treatment can be made. The longer a person remains in treatment, the more likely they are to stay sober.
What Medications Are Used for Stimulant Withdrawal?
A big benefit of receiving professional stimulant detox treatment involves the use of medications. Medical experts understand how to treat withdrawal symptoms that cause physical or emotional discomfort. When a person has a less difficult detox process, they are more likely to complete it.
Drug abuse often causes a person’s brain to become unable to naturally produce feel-good chemicals. The drugs make up for that by unnaturally creating them. Once a person stops abusing the drug, they become anxious or depressed. Antidepressants can be used to help treat feelings of depression, anxiety, and agitation. They act as a temporary way to produce these feelings while the brain learns to produce them naturally again. Antidepressants can also help with insomnia, allowing people to sleep better. Benzodiazepines also offer relief from anxiety and feelings of irritability.
Prescription drugs that address physical withdrawal symptoms also help make the detox process more bearable. Medications like Benadryl help many people relax and sleep better. Analgesic meds offer relief from headaches and body aches. Drugs like Provigil and Aripiprazole help ease withdrawal symptoms that often come with cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse.
Detox Nashville’s Stimulant Detox Program
Detox Nashville understands how hard going off stimulants can be. Our staff assesses each person who enters our program to understand their unique needs and create a treatment plan. We provide 24-hour supervision and support, helping ease people through the withdrawal process. In addition, we determine if any medications are needed and provide them.
We treat each person who comes here like a guest. Every person staying with us has a private room with Wi-Fi and a smart television. They receive medical and psychological support to help them through the withdrawal process. We also help them plan their next move so that they stay focused on sobriety after they leave our facility. We help educate them on their choices for aftercare so they don’t feel alone while living a sober life.
Stimulant Detox in Nashville, TN
Becoming addicted to drugs changes everything about a person’s life. They may know they need help but fear how hard it can be. Withdrawal can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, making professional stimulant detox treatment important. If you need help getting off stimulants like cocaine or meth, our program can help you cross that bridge. We also accept some insurance like UHC or BCBST to assist with costs. Contact Detox Nashville today and learn how to live a healthy new sober life.
