According to research, around 50 million Americans use prescription stimulants like Adderall to treat conditions such as ADHD. This represents an incredible 40% increase in stimulant prescriptions since 2007. ADHD is one of the most common neurobiological disorders among children between the ages of 4 and 17, with around 10% or 6 million having been diagnosed at some point in their lives.
Stimulants work by altering the way the brain communicates with the body’s central nervous system. When a person uses them, they are likely to experience increased body temperature, a rapid heart rate, and heightened blood pressure. When users continue to abuse stimulants over a period of time, they risk more serious health complications such as seizure, stroke or heart attack.
Stimulants have the potential to cause extensive damage to the cardiovascular system and the heart, particularly if used over an extended period of time. The most common cardiovascular problems caused by stimulants include hypertension and tachycardia and in some cases, people can die from fatal heart failure. As well as the physical effects of stimulant addiction, prolonged use can also cause long-term damage to the brain. This is due to the way the substance works on brain’s chemistry to negatively impact neuro-function. Permanent brain damage is a risk people who have been abusing stimulants for a long time may face.
The other side effects of persistent stimulant misuse and abuse include the following:
- Coronary disease
- Fainting and dizzy spells
- Abdominal pains
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- Respiratory problems
- Constipation
Stimulant addiction effects can cause long-term health conditions which inevitably require treatment. Casa Recovery offers drug addiction treatment in San Juan Capistrano that is personalized to the individual needs of the patient. We can help prevent serious problems caused by stimulant abuse by treating the root causes of substance misuse. If you are experiencing problems with stimulants, we can help. Contact Casa Recovery in confidence and start your recovery journey today.