STIMULANT DETOX

It’s important to realize when thinking about prescription stimulants for yourself or your child that these medications are in the same class of drugs as cocaine and methamphetamine, and it’s critical that you consult with a physician prior to use. Even those who do receive a prescription for stimulants like Ritalin®, Adderall® or Concerta® from their doctor can, and very often do, wind up being ensnared by dependency.

Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicates that over five million American adults are misusing prescription stimulants, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 10,000 Americans died from psycho stimulants in 2017. All you need to know, however, is that these drugs have hijacked your brain’s chemistry and impacted your health, your relationships, your family and your quality of life. The legally regulated nature of prescription stimulants can make excessive use harder to identify, which is why it’s important that friends and loved ones keep an eye out for common physical and behavioral signs, some of which can include:

• Erratic Changes in Behavior

• Violent Outbursts

• Paranoia

• Decline in School or Work Performance

• Extreme Changes in Weight

• Physical and Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

• Prolonged Periods of Isolation

One of the tragic ironies of prescription stimulant addiction is that it can exacerbate the very conditions that the medications were initially meant to treat. If you or you’re a loved one are experiencing these or any other symptoms related to prescription stimulant abuse, seek guidance from your prescribing physician immediately to get help.