Stimulant Drug Use: Effects, Addiction & Rehab in Kansas City

Stimulant drug abuse is a growing concern across the United States, affecting individuals from all walks of life. Whether obtained legally through prescriptions or illicitly on the street, these substances are frequently misused for their energizing and euphoric effects. 

Prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, along with illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, are among the most commonly abused. If you or a loved one is struggling with stimulant addiction, contact our Kansas City drug and alcohol rehab today to learn how we can help.

What Are Stimulant Drugs?  

Stimulants are a broad class of legal and illegal drugs. These substances speed up the messages that are sent between the brain and body, which can make a person feel more energized or alert.¹ 

Because there are so many different kinds of stimulants, they can come in a variety of forms, including pills, powder, injectables, and crystals/rocks.²  These drugs can be swallowed, snorted, chewed, smoked, or injected.

The stimulants with a high potential for abuse, including methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), which is a Schedule 1 drug³, and cocaine, methamphetamine, Adderall®, and Ritalin®, which are classified as Schedule 2 drugs.³

Types of Stimulant Drugs 

Stimulant drugs fall into two main categories: prescription medications and illicit substances. While some stimulants are legally prescribed to treat medical conditions, they are also commonly misused for their ability to boost energy, focus, or mood. 

Prescription stimulants are used to treat a number of medical conditions like attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, asthma, obesity, nasal and sinus congestion, and hypotension due to anesthesia.

Some common prescription stimulants include:^2,4 

• Amphetamines (Adderall® and Dexedrine®)
• Methylphenidate (Concerta® and Ritalin®)
• Diet aids (such as Didrex®, Bontril®, Preludin®, Fastin®, Adipex P®, Ionamin®, and Meridia®)
• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®)

The second grouping of stimulants are illegal substances, like methamphetamine, cocaine, ice, methcathinone (also called “cat”), MDMA (ecstasy), and bath salts.^2,5 These illegal stimulants are frequently used recreationally for their intense euphoric effects but carry a high risk of addiction, overdose, and long-term health complications. Regardless of whether a stimulant is prescribed or illicit, misuse can lead to serious consequences — both physically and mentally.

Effects of Stimulant Drug Use  

Many people misuse stimulant drugs to increase energy, improve focus, or enhance physical and mental performance. These substances are often taken to stay awake, boost productivity, or experience a temporary sense of euphoria and confidence. Common stimulant effects include:^1,2 

• A feeling of exhilaration
• Alertness
• Loss of appetite
• Enhanced self-esteem
• Improved physical or mental performance
• Experiencing a “rush”
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

While legal stimulants will give a moderate experience of these feelings, misusing prescription medications by taking more than prescribed can intensify the effects. Illicit stimulants also give a more acute version of these experiences.

Long-term usage of stimulants or taking it in high doses can lead to many negative results. Additional stimulant side effects can include:²

• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Chest pain and palpitations
• Flushed Skin
• Excessive sweating
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Agitation 
• Panic 
• Aggression

Can You Overdose on Stimulants? 

When someone is using illicit stimulants or is taking a higher dosage than prescribed, there is a definite risk of overdose.

The threat of a stimulant overdose increases when a stimulant is taken with another substance, such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, as the body is now experiencing conflicting effects from the different substances. Sometimes, a person using a stimulant isn’t aware they’re mixing drugs, because their cocaine or meth can be laced with fentanyl without their knowledge. 

There are some common stimulant overdose signs to look out for:^1,2 

• Chest pain
• Racing heartbeat
• High fever
• Breathing issues
• Extreme agitation
• Seizure/convulsions
• Losing consciousness 

Stimulant Drug Use & Abuse 

People may begin misusing stimulant drugs for a variety of reasons. Stimulant abuse can involve either prescription or illicit drugs and often begins with the intention of increasing focus, staying awake longer, or enhancing performance. Prescription stimulants are commonly misused by individuals without a valid prescription — especially among students or professionals looking to improve concentration or meet tight deadlines. These drugs are often obtained from friends, peers, or through illegal online sources.

Even individuals with legitimate prescriptions may misuse stimulants by taking higher doses than prescribed or using them more frequently than directed. Some may attempt to alter the drug’s effects by crushing and snorting tablets, increasing the risk of harmful side effects, dependency, and overdose. This type of misuse can quickly escalate into a dangerous cycle of addiction. It’s estimated that 20% of college students abuse prescription stimulants for recreational or academic purposes.⁶ 

Certain illicit stimulants (like cocaine and MDMA) are also popular party drugs, taken at festivals or social gatherings to “intensify” the experience. These are often taken with other drugs and alcohol, which can lead to a dangerous internal concoction that can result in an overdose. 

As a person takes higher dosages or increases their usage of stimulants, they often develop a tolerance for the drug — meaning they need to take more to feel the same effects. This can then lead to a physical dependence on the substance, as well as a stimulant addiction.

Are Stimulant Drugs Addictive? 

Stimulant drugs can be very addictive, and your body can quickly develop a physical dependence on the drug. If you believe you or a loved one has developed an addiction to a stimulant, these are the common signs of stimulant addiction to look for:⁷

• Using more of your stimulant medication than prescribed
• Using your stimulant medication more often than prescribed
• Taking or buying others’ stimulant medications
• Feeling the need to take stimulants regularly, outside of “party” situations
• Trying to stop your stimulant use, but being unable to do so
• A great deal of time and energy is given to obtaining, using, and recovering from stimulants
• Experiencing a strong craving for the drug
• Failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home
• Continuing to use the substance despite negative consequences on your relationships and other areas of your life
• Continuing to use the stimulant in ways that you recognize are not good for your health

Symptoms of Stimulant Withdrawal

When you’ve built a physical dependence on a stimulant, your body often experiences withdrawals when you decrease or stop taking that substance. While these symptoms are uncomfortable, they’re typically not life-threatening. 

Stimulant withdrawal symptoms can fluctuate from one person to the next. A person with a cocaine addiction, for example, may experience a shorter withdrawal period than someone who has been regularly using methamphetamine.⁸ 

Stimulant detox often has a phase of acute withdrawal symptoms followed by a “crash.”⁸ Acute stimulant withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Dysphoria (low mood)
• Anxiety
• Agitation

The “crash” withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Decreased mental capacity
• Decrease physical energy
• Insomnia
• Psychotic symptoms related to sleeplessness
• Potential suicidality 

During the withdrawal phase, cravings become intense. Many people relapse during this time to relieve the symptoms they’re feeling. This is why it’s essential that a person going through stimulant withdrawals has the support of an experienced clinical team to help them continue moving forward in their recovery. 

How is Stimulant Addiction Treated? 

To learn the skills to achieve long-term sobriety, you can enter a stimulant addiction treatment program. There are several program structures to choose from, including inpatient (where you live on-site) and outpatient (where you continue to live at home). Under the outpatient umbrella, there are three levels of care: partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), and standard outpatient rehab. Determining the best treatment program for you depends on your unique needs, health history, and if you’ve attended a rehab program in the past. 

In your treatment program, you’ll receive different kinds of addiction therapy methods, such as one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist, trauma-informed therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions, and more. Any co-occurring disorders you’re struggling with, such as anxiety, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), will also be addressed alongside your addiction.

By learning coping mechanisms from a dedicated team of therapists and addiction professionals, you can develop the skills to avoid relapse and maintain lasting sobriety.

Stimulant Addiction Treatment in Kansas City 

People struggling with a stimulant addiction come to our program at all different stages of their recovery. Whether you’re actively using, in the middle of withdrawals, or just experienced a relapse, we can help you take back control of your life — and your addiction. 

At Empowered Recovery Center in Kansas City, our knowledgeable admissions team will be able to answer any questions you have about attending our stimulant addiction treatment program. If you’re interested in using insurance to cover your treatment, we can verify your insurance benefits and give you details about your specific plan. We can also explain the different payment options available for your treatment and what it looks like to be admitted to the program. Whether you want to know what a day at our outpatient facility looks like or learn more about our complimentary year-long aftercare program, our rehab admissions team is here to make sure you feel informed and confident about our program. 

Call us or verify your benefits online to get in touch with our admissions team today and see how you can reclaim your life from your stimulant addiction.

References

1. Stimulants – alcohol and drug foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2024, from  https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/stimulants/
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Stimulants. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Stimulants-2020.pdf
3. Drug scheduling. (n.d.). DEA. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from  https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
4. Research, C. F. D. E. A. (2023, August 28). FDA approves multiple generics of ADHD and BED treatment. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-multiple-generics-adhd-and-bed-treatment
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.-a). Ecstasy/MDMA. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Ecstasy-MDMA-2020_0.pdf
6. Kennedy, S. (2018, December 15). Raising awareness about prescription and stimulant abuse in college students through On-Campus community involvement projects. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6312145/
7. Stimulant use Disorder. (2024, July 25). PsychDB. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.psychdb.com/addictions/stimulants/1-use-disorder
8. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (1999). Chapter 3—Medical Aspects of Stimulant Use Disorders. Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders – NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576550/