Stimulants are a class of drugs that encapsulates everything from energy drinks to prescription medication to some of the most dangerous illicit drugs in circulation today. More than 3 types of stimulants exist. Nonetheless, 3 types of stimulants that are common to the addiction treatment space are cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy (MDMA). Nicotine, some diet pills, and caffeine also qualify as stimulants. While not always the healthiest way to boost energy levels, those stimulants pale in comparison to the damage that substances like cocaine, meth, and ecstasy can cause.
Contact Sunstone Recovery at 855.833.9199 to learn more about substance abuse treatment programs and how they can help you or a loved one overcome addiction.
What Are 3 Types of Stimulants?
The 3 types of stimulants that are commonly abused are cocaine, meth, and ecstasy. Each of these 3 types of stimulant drugs is explored in more detail, including what effects they have on the body and mind:
Cocaine
Cocaine abuse and addiction are common across the United States. Despite some public perception, it isn’t an addiction that confines itself to lower-income or disadvantaged areas. Rates of cocaine abuse are largely consistent across different demographics and income levels. Cocaine is more versatile than most other drugs. It can be ground into powder form and snorted. It can be smoked in its crack form. In addition, it can be mixed with water and injected.
Cocaine use produces a rush of energy and euphoria. Those initial effects, however, are short-lived. Tolerance can develop quickly, which leads people to use more often or in larger amounts to produce that same high. Negative effects of cocaine abuse include:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Irritability
Moreover, long-term abuse leaves people open to developing numerous health problems. Mental health disorders, cardiovascular issues, and impaired coordination are all possible outcomes of abusing cocaine over time.
Meth
Meth is another type of stimulant. It is extremely powerful and addictive. Perhaps more than any other drug, meth forces the user to wear the impact visibly. Meth damages practically every bodily system inwardly and outwardly, including:
- Teeth, with advanced oral decay a common side effect of meth abuse
- Skin
- Heart
- Liver
- Lungs
- Brain
Using meth initially produces a euphoric high that shares similarities with cocaine. People on meth tend to report feeling more sexually expressive, talkative, and energetic. The high from meth use is far outweighed by the unrelenting damage it causes to people’s minds and bodies. Meth abuse is known to lead to psychosis, seizures, mental health disorders, heart problems, severe itching, and cognitive issues.
Ecstasy
Ecstasy is also known as MDMA. Besides being a stimulant, ecstasy has some properties that make it hallucinogenic as well. This combination of effects has made ecstasy a popular club drug. Using MDMA often makes people more social and outgoing. In addition to the potential for addiction, long-term ecstasy use interrupts the functioning of the central nervous system.
Treating the 3 Types of Stimulants
Treating these 3 types of stimulant drugs is best done by specialized addiction treatment providers using a comprehensive framework. Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation to lay the groundwork for where detox and therapy begin. Medically supervised detox is the first step in any treatment plan since stopping drug use is imperative to begin receiving treatment.
The core of stimulant addiction treatment is behavioral change. This occurs through therapy sessions, support group attendance, educational resources, and more. During addiction treatment, clients are equipped with coping skills to prevent relapse.
Many stimulant addiction treatment programs focus on addressing dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. That is when someone struggles with a substance abuse disorder and a mental health disorder simultaneously. Stimulants often cause mental health issues when abused for long periods of time. As a result, some clients enter treatment with a need to have both disorders treated in order to make meaningful progress.
Find Stimulant Addiction Help at Sunstone Recovery
Are you struggling with stimulant abuse or addiction? Are you unsure where to turn? Let Sunstone Recovery help you turn things around. Contact 855.833.9199 to find out how our addiction treatment services can be customized to meet your needs.
