Overcoming Stimulant Addiction During Drug Rehab at Passages

Overcoming Stimulant Addiction During Drug Rehab at Passages

Published April 2010

Also known as “uppers,” stimulants refer to drugs that increase alertness and energy, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and their derivatives. Stimulants work in the body by acting upon the brain’s chemicals—known as “neurotransmitters”—such as norepinephrine and dopamine. These naturally-occurring brain chemicals are associated with the body’s “fight or flight” crisis response—triggering similar levels of focus, energy, and adrenaline that most of us would only experience in an emergency. Additionally, increased levels of dopamine in the brain serve to produce a sense of euphoria.

Brain chemistry can be left altered after even one use, creating a need to use stimulants again. Usage can lead to the lowered production of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, leaving individuals feeling empty, exhausted and incomplete after the physical effects of stimulants like methamphetamines or cocaine have worn off.

Overcoming Stimulant Addiction During Private Inpatient Drug Rehab

The first phase of overcoming stimulant addiction during private inpatient drug rehab is to cease stimulant usage, which is often referred to as “detoxing.” It is important to conduct the stimulant detoxification process in a safe and controlled environment in order to manage the symptoms of withdrawal. As people come down from stimulant usage, they often find themselves extremely exhausted but unable to sleep normally as physical withdrawal symptoms arise. While these symptoms can be debilitating—convulsions, sweating, anxiety, and even hallucinations—they can be managed expertly by the professionals at an inpatient rehab center.

Overcoming stimulant addiction during private inpatient drug rehab involves understanding and treating the underlying causes of addiction. One aspect of healing is through diagnostic medical testing. Once drug use has ended, it is important to identify and treat any chemical imbalances that predispose an individual to chemical dependency. Additionally, individualized therapy can identify unresolved traumas from the past or ineffective copings skills in the present and help you find resolutions for each. With a greater understanding of yourself and with better tools to manage life’s challenges, you can overcome stimulant addiction during your stay at private inpatient drug rehab.