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Stimulant Addiction

What is a stimulant?

A stimulant is a type of drug that increases activity in the brain and central nervous system, leading to heightened alertness, increased energy, and a feeling of euphoria. Stimulants speed up the communication between the brain and the body, enhancing mental focus and physical activity. These drugs are commonly used to treat medical conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, as they can help increase attention, concentration, and energy levels.

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Why are stimulants usually only available by prescription?

Stimulants are usually prescribed for specific medical conditions under the supervision of a healthcare professional, in the UK specifically a psychiatrist, due to their potent effects on the brain and body. When used improperly or without medical supervision, these drugs can cause serious physical and mental health issues. Prescription regulation ensures that stimulants are taken in controlled, therapeutic doses and helps to mitigate the risk of abuse and addiction.

Types of stimulants

Prescription stimulants: These are commonly used to treat conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy.

o Amphetamines: Such as Adderall or Dexedrine.
o Methylphenidates: Such as Ritalin or Concerta.

Illicit stimulants: These are illegal drugs known for their highly addictive nature.

o Cocaine.
o Methamphetamine (Meth).

Other types:

o Ecstasy (MDMA): A stimulant with hallucinogenic properties, often used recreationally.

Stimulants; also known as – uppers, pep pills or speed; come in various forms – legal or prescription stimulants are generally in a tablet or capsule form; whilst illicit stimulants can appear as a pill, powder, small chunky clear crystals, or a white or brownish crystal-like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste.

 

Are stimulants addictive?

Stimulants can be highly addictive, particularly when misused or taken in higher-than-prescribed doses. Their addictive potential arises from the intense euphoria and increased energy they provide, which can lead individuals to take more of the drug to maintain these effects. Repeated use can cause the brain to become dependent on the drug for functioning, resulting in addiction.

 

Are there withdrawal symptoms with stimulants?

Withdrawal symptoms are common with stimulant use, especially when someone has developed a dependence or addiction to these drugs. Stimulant withdrawal occurs when a person who has been regularly using stimulants suddenly stops or significantly reduces their intake. Withdrawal can be both physically and psychologically challenging due to the body’s adaptation to the drug’s effects.

Withdrawal symptoms can include extreme fatigue, depression, increased appetite, anxiety and agitation, disturbed sleep, poor concentration and cognitive impairment. Headaches, muscle aches, and flu-like symptoms can also accompany stimulant withdrawal. Whilst not generally as intense as those associated with some other drugs (like opioids), these physical discomforts can still be significant, every person will feel them differently, and the use of other drugs, including alcohol, can also impact upon withdrawal.

In some cases, individuals may experience hallucinations, paranoia and panic; and for some the intense feelings of depression can lead to suicidal thoughts or self-harming.

Signs and symptoms of stimulant abuse and addiction

Physical symptoms:

 

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Dilated pupils.
  • Restlessness or hyperactivity.
  • Reduced appetite and weight loss.
  • Sweating and shaking.
  • Insomnia or difficulty sleeping.

Behavioural symptoms:

 

  • Excessive talkativeness or rapid speech.
  • Increased risk-taking or reckless behaviour.
  • Secretive or erratic behaviour.
  • Doctor shopping to obtain multiple prescriptions.
  • Ignoring responsibilities at work, school, or home.

Psychological symptoms:

 

  • Euphoria followed by irritability or agitation
  • Paranoia or anxiety.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Intense cravings for the drug.
  • Depression when not using the drug.
Treatment for stimulant addiction at the rehab centre

Effective treatment for stimulant addiction often involves a combination of therapies, individualised to meet the unique needs of the patient, and often requires an introduction to long-term support to prevent relapse.

Ibiza Calm is a specialised treatment clinic that provides rehab treatment for individuals who are struggling with the addiction and dependency of prescription or illicit stimulants. The goal of the treatment is to help individuals understand the underlying causes of their problem and develop the tools and strategies needed to maintain abstinence in the long term.

The rehab centre offers a comprehensive approach to recovery from stimulant addiction, including a medically supervised detox, therapy, and support groups. The Ibiza Calm team comprises experienced healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, who work together to provide the highest level of care and support to each patient.

What happens if you mix stimulants with other drugs?

Mixing stimulants with other drugs can be highly dangerous and increase the risk of severe health complications, including overdose, organ damage, or even death. The effects vary depending on the specific substances involved, but generally, combining stimulants with other drugs can amplify or mask the effects of both, leading to unpredictable and often harmful outcomes.

 What happens when stimulants are mixed with other drugs?

Stimulants and depressants.

• Example: Mixing stimulants (e.g., cocaine, Adderall) with depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax), or opioids (e.g., heroin, oxycodone).

Effects:

• Masking effects: Stimulants speed up the central nervous system, while depressants slow it down. The stimulant may mask the sedative effects of the depressant, making it difficult to gauge how impaired or intoxicated you are. This can lead to taking dangerous doses of both substances.
• Increased risk of overdose: For example, alcohol can mask the effects of a stimulant, causing individuals to drink more or use higher doses of both substances. This can lead to alcohol poisoning or stimulant overdose.
• Heart strain: Mixing these opposing types of drugs puts significant strain on the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias.

Stimulants and other stimulants.

• Example: Combining multiple stimulants, such as mixing cocaine with methamphetamine or combining prescription stimulants like Adderall with caffeine or energy drinks.

Effects:

• Intensified effects: Mixing stimulants intensifies their effects, leading to heightened alertness, euphoria, and energy. However, this also dramatically increases the risk of harmful effects such as severe anxiety, paranoia, and aggression.
• Cardiovascular risks: Elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, or sudden death due to overloading the heart and cardiovascular system.
• Seizures: Excessive stimulation of the brain can lead to seizures, which may be life-threatening.

Stimulants and hallucinogens.

• Example: Mixing stimulants like MDMA (Ecstasy) or amphetamines with hallucinogens such as LSD, psilocybin, or ketamine.

Effects:

• Unpredictable behaviour: The combination can lead to erratic, dangerous, or aggressive behaviour. The stimulating effects may worsen anxiety or paranoia, common with hallucinogens.
• Psychosis: There is a heightened risk of psychosis, particularly for those with a history of mental illness or drug-induced psychosis. This can include delusions, hallucinations, and loss of touch with reality.
• Serotonin syndrome: If mixing MDMA or other serotonin-boosting stimulants with certain hallucinogens, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when too much serotonin builds up in the brain, causing confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, and seizures.

Stimulants and opioids.

• Example: Combining stimulants like cocaine with opioids such as heroin or fentanyl, commonly referred to as a “speedball.”

Effects:

• Masking effects: The stimulant can mask the sedative effects of the opioid, making it difficult to judge how much of either substance has been taken. This increases the risk of opioid overdose, as the depressant effects may not be felt until it’s too late.
• Respiratory failure: The stimulant may keep the user awake and active, but once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects of the opioid can cause breathing to slow or stop, leading to death.
• Heart and respiratory strain: Combining these drugs puts immense pressure on both the heart and lungs, dramatically increasing the risk of sudden death, heart attack, or respiratory failure.

Stimulants and marijuana.

• Example: Mixing stimulants like Adderall or cocaine with marijuana.

Effects:

• Increased heart rate and anxiety: Both drugs can elevate heart rate and, in some cases, exacerbate anxiety or paranoia. Combining them can result in increased panic, agitation, or psychological distress.
• Impaired judgment: Marijuana may dull the stimulant’s perceived effects, leading to poor decision-making or risky behaviour.
• Confusion and disorientation: Stimulants speed up mental processes, while marijuana can slow them down, potentially leading to confusion or disorganized thoughts.

Addiction and dependence: Combining drugs often increases the likelihood of developing both physical dependence and psychological addiction, as the user may become reliant on both substances to achieve desired effects or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

It’s crucial to avoid combining stimulants with other substances, and if stimulant abuse or polysubstance use is present, seeking professional treatment is essential for managing risks and achieving recovery.

Key components of residential stimulant addiction treatment at Ibiza Calm

Inpatient treatment at the rehab centre includes:

Detoxification (detox): The first step in treating stimulant addiction is detoxification, where the drug is safely removed from the body. This should be done under medical supervision to manage withdrawal symptoms, which may include fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, and intense cravings. At Ibiza Calm, detox is overseen by our medical director, Dr Manuel Rodriguez.

 

Individual and group therapy: Counselling and therapy are critical components of treatment, helping individuals understand the underlying causes of their addiction, develop coping strategies, and rebuild their lives. Regular one-to-one sessions with one of our specialist therapists and facilitated group sessions which can provide ongoing encouragement and accountability in recovery.

Family therapy: Involving family members can help to rebuild relationships, improve family dynamics, and educate them about addiction and recovery. All our treatment programmes include a family support group. Any family members can attend, weekly online, from the moment their loved one enters the treatment clinic.

 

Aftercare planning: Long-term recovery from stimulant addiction involves ongoing support, such as continued therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes to prevent relapse. As part of our tailored treatment programmes, all clients are introduced to the aftercare therapy group before leaving the clinic, ensuring they are confident of ongoing, continued support.

 

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I wanted to drop you a quick message to thank you very much for your help and support during my stay within Ibiza Calm. Each and every person in the house was important in his own way in my recovery. I feel very grateful to all of you. It’s not always easy but it is achievable. My life is way much better than it was before coming and I am definitely a better version of myself now.

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My son attended two rehab facilities before going to Ibiza Calm. Ibiza Calm, however, was exactly what it professed to be. They worked with my son as a vital ally in his recovery process, not as a person to be broken and fixed according to a set regimen, who would be blamed and shamed if he did not respond appropriately to the facility’s treatment protocol and schedule. The therapist assigned to my son struck the right balance between allowing him to move at a pace at which he was comfortable and pushing him to keep a challenging pace of self-discovery and recovery. My son has come out of this treatment calm and self-aware; whereas he finished the other programs angry and even traumatized. My son has only been 6 weeks out of Ibiza Calm, so the long-term success in remaining sober remains to be seen, but the change in his attitude and behavior is so profound that I have great hope for the future for the first time in years. I recommend Ibiza Calm without reservation, rather with overwhelming gratitude.

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I was at Ibiza calm from the 4th of July to the 29th of July 2020, I am 23 years of age and was in a horrific place in my life From drink and cocaine. My girlfriend is pregnant and outright had enough of my selfish behaviour. I was really ready to start my recovery, I settled in fantastic they have amazing staff so helpful and caring, the food is unbelievable thanks to Danny the main man in the kitchen, the grounds are beautiful, the bedrooms are very nice I overall found my stay amazing. 10/10 couldn’t fault it many thanks Francis.

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My husband was in another rehab clinic in the UK 6 months ago, which I wasn’t totally convinced by not only experiences of others but the surroundings/ Set up and approach to it .. he is only 2 weeks into his journey at IBIZA calm and it’s the first time in a long time I can finally hear happiness in his voice, and motivation on his healing / sobriety journey , commitment to his inner and outer health.. I know this is just the beginnings But both billy and Luca have been extremely helpful and helpful to myself ! If your looking for yourself or a loved one, 100 look no further this is the type of place someone who is suffering needs- the surroundings, the programme, the environment , and amazing team!

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I can’t thank the team at Ibiza Calm enough. I had a friend who spent time with them and what they have done is amazing. From the therapy to the meetings have all set him up for moving forward. Once he left he was not just left and has a fantastic aftercare system in place. Thank You.

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ibiza calm is a great place for treatment I was using drugs and drink all the time my life was a mess until I went to ibiza calm in april 2016 the staff were fantastic and cared for me the treatment I recieved was second to none I can’t thank ibiza calm enough and also my family have there son and husband back in there lives thanks to this place I am grateful to the owners who have always supported me through the years