Prescription Stimulant Addiction Treatment in Colorado

What Are Prescription Stimulants and How Are They Misused?

Prescription stimulants are medicines generally used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. They are intended to increase alertness, attention, and energy.

Common prescription stimulants include:

• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
• Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine combination product (Adderall)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)

These medications are sometimes referred to as speed, uppers, and Vitamin R. The misuse of prescription stimulants is a growing concern, as people take these drugs to improve their mental performance, get better grades, or improve their memory, despite not having ADHD or narcolepsy. Such misuse can lead to harmful health effects, including addiction, heart problems, or psychosis. In Denver and Colorado Springs, prescription stimulant addiction treatment programs, including those provided by Achieve Whole Recovery, are vital for addressing the misuse of these drugs.

Prescription stimulants usually come in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquids that people take by mouth. However, those who misuse these drugs may take them in a way or dose other than prescribed, take someone else’s medicine, or take them only to get high. They may swallow the medicine in its normal form, crush tablets or open capsules, dissolve the powder in water and inject it into a vein, or snort or smoke the powder. Prescription stimulants are classified as Schedule II controlled substances under the Controlled Substance Act, reflecting their medical utility alongside their high potential for dependence and misuse. As part of the comprehensive care we provide, our stimulant addiction treatment focuses on the unique challenges posed by the misuse of prescription stimulants.

Why Do People Misuse Adderall and Other Stimulants?

People misuse prescription stimulants for a range of reasons beyond academic performance. Common motivations include improving concentration, extending wakefulness, suppressing appetite, enhancing physical performance, and counteracting the effects of other drugs. Despite the widespread belief that stimulants boost academic achievement, research has shown that misuse of methylphenidate actually decreases performance at higher doses, and people often do not experience the cognitive benefits they expect.

How Prescription Stimulants Affect the Brain and Body

Prescription stimulants increase the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine, which affect the brain and body. Norepinephrine is involved in CNS-regulated functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, while dopamine influences the reinforcement of rewarding behaviors. Short-term effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased breathing, decreased blood flow, increased blood sugar, and opened-up breathing passages. At high doses, prescription stimulants can lead to dangerously high body temperature, an irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and seizures.

Risks of Prescription Stimulant Misuse

Taking prescription stimulants in a way or dose other than prescribed, or taking someone else’s medicine for non-medical purposes, can lead to harmful health effects, including addiction, heart problems, or psychosis. Achieve Whole Recovery’s stimulant addiction treatment includes various therapeutic approaches to help patients overcome dependence and regain control of their lives.

Abusing prescription stimulants repeatedly, even within a short period, can cause psychosis, anger, or paranoia. Additionally, injecting drugs and having impaired judgment from drug misuse can increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Mixing prescription stimulants with other substances carries additional dangers. Combining stimulants with benzodiazepines or opioids may mask the effects of one or both drugs, increasing the risk of overdose. Mixing stimulants with alcohol increases the risk of violent behavior and heart damage.

However, studies have not shown a difference in later substance use in young people with ADHD treated with prescription stimulants compared to those who did not receive such treatment. This suggests that treatment with ADHD medication does not positively or negatively affect a person’s risk of developing problem use. The team at Achieve Whole Recovery, through their stimulant addiction treatment program, emphasizes personalized treatment plans that cater to the specific needs of each individual.

Signs of a Stimulant Overdose

A person can overdose on prescription stimulants, which can lead to life-threatening reactions or death. Stimulant overdose symptoms include restlessness, tremors, rapid breathing, confusion, aggression, hallucinations, panic states, fever, muscle pains, and weakness. Overdose can also cause heart problems, seizures, abnormally high or low blood pressure, and circulation failure, leading to convulsions, coma, and fatal poisoning. It is important to call 911 for immediate medical attention when someone has overdosed on prescription stimulants. First responders and emergency room doctors try to treat the overdose with the intent of restoring blood flow to the heart and stopping the seizure with care or with medications if necessary.

Prescription Stimulant Addiction Treatment at Achieve Whole Recovery

When prescription stimulants are misused, it can lead to addiction or substance use disorder (SUD). Even taking stimulants as prescribed can cause a person to develop a tolerance, leading them to require higher or more frequent doses of the drug to achieve the desired effects. An SUD can develop when the continued use of the drug causes health problems and the inability to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home. Withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and sleep problems can occur if a person stops taking the prescription stimulant. Withdrawal can also include temporary but severe depression and suicidal ideation, which is why medical monitoring during this period is strongly recommended. There are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for stimulant withdrawal, making behavioral support and clinical oversight especially important.

To stop prescription stimulant misuse, behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management have been found to be effective, and concerns about use should be discussed with a healthcare provider. If you are interested in prescription stimulant addiction treatment, learn more about our medically assisted treatment (MAT) and psychiatry services today or call us at (303) 749-5150.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prescription Stimulant Addiction

What is Adderall used for?

Adderall is a prescription stimulant containing dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, primarily used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. When taken as prescribed, it helps increase focus, reduce impulsivity, and regulate attention. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its significant potential for misuse and dependence.

Is Adderall a study drug, and does it actually help?

Adderall and similar stimulants are widely misused as study aids, but the evidence does not support the belief that they improve academic performance in people without ADHD. Studies have also found a negative relationship between illicit stimulant use and academic outcomes overall.

How long does Adderall withdrawal last?

Adderall withdrawal typically begins within 24 hours of the last dose and can last anywhere from several days to several weeks depending on the length and intensity of use. Common withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, depression, increased sleep, increased appetite, difficulty concentrating, and strong cravings. In some cases, withdrawal can involve severe depression or suicidal thinking, which is why medically supervised support during this period is strongly recommended.

Which ADHD medication is most addictive?

Short-acting, immediate-release formulations generally carry a higher misuse potential than extended-release versions because they produce a faster onset of effects. Among commonly prescribed stimulants, immediate-release amphetamines such as Adderall IR and Dexedrine tend to have a higher misuse potential than methylphenidate-based medications like Ritalin. Vyvanse is considered lower risk because of how it is metabolized, but no prescription stimulant is without risk.

What are the long-term effects of taking stimulant medication?

Long-term effects depend heavily on whether the medication is being taken as prescribed or misused. Prescribed therapeutic use in appropriately diagnosed patients is generally considered safe under medical supervision. Misuse over time, however, can lead to cardiovascular strain, significant weight loss, sleep disruption, anxiety, paranoia, and in some cases stimulant-induced psychosis. Long-term misuse can also alter dopamine pathways in ways that make it harder to feel pleasure naturally.