Stimulants are a drug that speeds up activity in your body.
They can make you feel more awake, alert, and energetic, and some stimulants cause feelings of pleasure and euphoria.
Common stimulants include cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, and caffeine. There are illicit stimulants, prescription stimulants, and stimulants in everyday consumables like coffee and cigarettes.
Stimulants can be both psychologically and physically addictive. Research by SAMHSA found that in 2018, around 561,000 people had a stimulant use disorder in the past year.
Repeatedly taking stimulants over time may lead to dependence, addiction, and long-term health problems. These may include heart disease, seizures, and exhaustion.
Stimulant addiction can be devastating to your health, your work life, and your relationships with others. However, addiction is treatable, and recovery is possible for anyone. It is never too late to get help.
Recovery from stimulant addiction typically involves a rehabilitation program, and detox is often the first step in this process.
Detox is the process of removing all toxins and traces of the stimulant from your body. Stimulant withdrawal can cause you to experience a range of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue, sleep problems, and depression.
While not usually life-threatening, they can be very uncomfortable. 24-hour supervised medical detox is essential in many instances, and you should never withdraw from a stimulant without professional medical advice.