Drug Addiction Treatment
man meets with doctor to treat addiction to prescription strimulants
By BrightView
Author Rhonda Roper, LCSW, LISW
Avatar photo
Rhonda Roper, LCSW, LISW

Rhonda serves as BrightView Health’s Vice President of Quality Operations. Prior to joining BrightView in 2020, Rhonda has over 18 years’... read more

Published: October 19, 2021
Updated: October 8, 2021

Stimulant medications are prescribed to treat conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. These prescription stimulants help people with these conditions maintain better focus and concentration as well as increase alertness so they can function better at work, school, and home. While these medications can be life-changing for those who find that ADHD or narcolepsy drastically interferes with their productivity, they also present a risk for dependence. If dependence on common prescription stimulants controls your life, you can find help at a stimulant addiction treatment center.

At BrightView, we understand how easy it can be to develop a dependence on prescription medications, and we are here to help you through. We treat addiction as a disease, with an emphasis on non-judgmental care. Call us today at 888.501.9865 to learn how our stimulant addiction treatment center can help you heal from dependence on commonly abused prescription stimulants.

What Are the Most Commonly Abused Prescription Stimulants?

Many people use prescription stimulants daily to help them manage ADHD and narcolepsy. These conditions can make it challenging to stay focused, pay attention, and in some cases, stay awake and alert. Symptoms like these can make it difficult to succeed at work or school, where mental clarity and focus are often incredibly important. However, even everyday tasks like driving can be affected when your attention or alertness is impaired.

Using prescription stimulants may be the only way for some people to function safely and effectively with ADHD and narcolepsy. Unfortunately, like many other prescription medications, prescription stimulants can lead to dependence. People may also use them without a doctor’s prescription to enhance their mental and physical energy and promote weight loss. The most commonly abused prescription stimulants include:

  • Adderall
  • Ritalin
  • Concerta
  • Dexedrine

How do you know if you are abusing one of these prescription stimulants? Consider some of these signs:

  • Taking prescription stimulants without a prescription of your own
  • Taking more than your prescribed dose
  • Taking your prescription more frequently than recommended
  • Taking prescription stimulants for the sole purpose of getting high, losing weight, or pulling all-nighters
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop taking prescription stimulants, such as insomnia, fatigue, and depression

If any of the above apply to you, you may want to consider getting help from a stimulant addiction treatment center. Professional treatment centers can help you get through withdrawal symptoms more comfortably with medication. They can also provide you with behavioral therapy to explore the underlying reasons for your prescription stimulant misuse and find healthy ways to manage stress and other health conditions.

What Are the Side Effects of Misusing Common Prescription Stimulants?

Getting a burst of energy may be appealing to people dealing with a chronic lack of sleep or health conditions that affect their energy and mental clarity. However, misusing prescription stimulants can result in some undesirable side effects, such as:

  • Rapid heart rate
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood sugar
  • Fever
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability
  • Paranoia
  • Insomnia

It is possible to overdose on prescription stimulants, causing potential heart failure or seizures. If you experience breathing difficulties, high fever, nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps, you should seek emergency care to treat a possible overdose.

End Your Dependence on Common Prescription Stimulants at BrightView

When you have BrightView on your side, you can start your path to recovery from substance use disorder with confidence. We will support you every step of the way as you overcome your dependence on common prescription stimulants. Our intensive outpatient, outpatient, and medication assisted treatment programs can help you detach from your dependence on prescription stimulants, so you can move on to lead a healthier, more satisfying life. Call us any time of day or night at 888.501.9865 to start substance use treatment right away.