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Stimulant Abuse and Addiction

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Learn about the risks and signs of stimulant abuse, including treatment options for substances like Adderall and Ritalin.

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Growing Concern of Stimulant Misuse & Its Impact

Stimulant Statistics and Stimulant Abuse

According to the latest statistics, more and more people abuse stimulants yearly. Stimulants can include drugs like Adderall and Ritalin, often used to treat ADHD.

While these medications can help some people focus and control their behavior, they can be addictive and dangerous when abused. Read on to learn more about stimulant abuse and statistics.

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Uses, Effects, & Risks

What are Stimulants?

  • Stimulants are a class of drugs that affect the brain. Some stimulants, such as Adderall, treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD. 

  • These include Adderall and Ritalin, which are often used to treat ADHD. The brain has several neurotransmitters that control its activity. Stimulants, however, increase the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can make a person feel more alert and focused.

  • The drugs can be addictive and dangerous when abused. However, the side effects of stimulants can include insomnia, stomach pain, vomiting, and weight loss.

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Patterns & Consequences

What is Stimulant Abuse?

As we know, excess of everything is terrible. In brief, this is also true of stimulants. There is nothing that you can consider a healthy amount of drug use. The problem is that we cannot differentiate the beneficial use of any drug from the unhealthy use of the same drug.

Stimulant abuse is the misuse or overuse of stimulants. This can include taking too much of the drug, taking the stimulant longer than intended, and taking the stimulant in an unsafe way.

It can happen to those who take them to stay awake, stay alert, or lose weight. The abuse of stimulants has become a severe problem. Students are using stimulants in schools and colleges, and some people are even taking them to stay awake while they drive.

There are signs that people are abusing stimulants. For example, if someone takes a stimulant and feels worse than before, they are probably abusing it.

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Patterns & Health Risks of Stimulant Misuse

How Do People Abuse Stimulants?

Teenagers often abuse stimulants, and in fact, many teenagers do abuse stimulants. The main reason is that the drugs for stimulant abuse are easy to obtain and cheap. This means that people are abusing them.

Adolescents are more likely to abuse stimulants than adults. They are more likely to be careless about taking the drug and may not be as careful about how they take it. They may also be combining the medication with other substances.

What are the Dangers of Stimulant Abuse?

The side effects of stimulants can be severe. Some of these are:

1. Seizures:

Stimulants can cause seizures in some people. This is a severe problem that can be fatal. It can happen when someone takes too much of the drug or takes it with other substances.

2. Psychosis:

Taking stimulants can cause psychosis. This is a mental illness that affects the way a person thinks. It can happen when someone takes too much of the drug or takes it with other substances.

3. Respiratory Issues:

If you take stimulants and have asthma, you may encounter breathing problems. The stimulant can cause your airways to become swollen and inflamed. This can be very serious.

4. Liver Damage:

Stimulants can cause harm to your liver if you take them in high doses for a long time. They can also cause heart problems if you take them with other substances.

5. Kidney Damage:

Stimulants decrease the activity of your kidneys. How? Compared to people who are not taking stimulants, stimulants may cause your kidneys to be unable to filter waste products out of your blood. This can cause serious health problems.

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Overview of Commonly Prescribed Medications

Prescription Stimulants

Despite their unique chemical makeup, addiction to stimulants like Adderall and Methylphenidate may have almost identical effects. Patients are administered either Amphetamines or Methylphenidate based on their desired strength and length of treatment.

A few of the most often prescribed stimulants are:

1. Dexedrine:

This is a potent CNS stimulant and amphetamine; medical language calls it Dexedrine or Dextroamphetamine. Dexedrine has been in the industry in the United States since 1976 and is most typically used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In World War III, the U.S. Army was forced to administer Dexedrine to its soldiers to keep them awake and alert.

2. Adderall:

Adderall, manufactured by the pharmaceutical company, Janssen, is one of the most commonly prescribed stimulants for ADHD. It is among the few stimulants that children and adults can take. It has three strengths: 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg.

Since it is considered one of the most potent stimulants on the market, it is often abused by students and professionals who use it to boost their concentration.

3. Methylphenidate:

Methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Novartis. It is used to cure ADHD and narcolepsy. However, It is available in an immediate-release tablet and a sustained-release tablet.

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In Conclusion

Stimulant Abuse is Increasing

Nevertheless, the use of stimulants has increased significantly over the past few years.

According to the latest statistics, more and more people abuse stimulants yearly. Stimulants can include drugs like Adderall and Ritalin, often used to treat ADHD. While these medications can help some people focus and control their behavior, they can be addictive and dangerous when abused.

According to a recent survey, around 4.3% of the people in the United States aged 18 to 25 have used stimulants. A report published in the British Medical Journal in 2011 found that almost 1 in 20 Americans reported using an illicit stimulant. Around 10% of people who have used stimulants report some form of stimulant abuse. However, this estimate is only the tip of the iceberg, as many people who have used stimulants do not admit it.

In the United States, stimulant abuse is one of the most common reasons people seek emergency medical treatment. Stimulant overdoses (stimulant abuse) accounted for 40% of all fatalities in 2018. Most of these deaths occurred in people not taking the drugs for medical reasons.

The use of stimulants has become increasingly popular in the past few years. While these medications can help some people focus and control their behavior, they can be addictive and dangerous when abused. Stimulants are dangerous for people who abuse them, but they can also be hazardous for people who are taking them for medical reasons. However, this should not discourage you from using them if prescribed.

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Written By:

Angel Alexander

Angel alexander pic edited
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Angel Alexander is certified in mental health studies and mental health coaching. Angel has over nine years of freelance writing experience and seven years in mental health and substance abuse writing. Angel is currently in her 2nd year of studies at Wallace Community College for the study of psychology.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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