Be Stimulant Free
Stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and certain prescription medications (e.g., Adderall), pose serious risks to both your physical and mental health. Stimulants can lead to severe cardiovascular complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension, especially when used in high doses or for prolonged periods.
Are you ready to break free from stimulants?
Strength Over Stimulants: Choose Health & Freedom
How Does Stimulants Affect You?
Stimulants are a class of drugs that speed up messages traveling between your brain and your body. The messages alert a person to feel more alert, awake, and energetic. Typically, stimulants include caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and even cocaine. Large doses or misuse of doses can cause over-stimulation resulting in anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations — the messages alter brain chemistry to create a cycle of intense euphoria followed by crashing lows. Misuse can lead to negative health outcomes like addiction, overdose, withdrawal, and death.
Stimulants encompass a broad category of legal and illegal substances. But keep in mind that even legally prescribed stimulants can be misused for non-medical purposes. Common prescription stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Concerta. Common illegal stimulants include Methamphetamine (Meth), Cocaine, and Bath Salts (Synthetic Cathinones).
Signs of Stimulant Addiction
A person can suffer from stimulant disorder when use leads to a significant impairment, and they exhibit concerns associated with stimulant addiction. Signs of stimulant addiction can include:
- Addiction (a persistent desire to use) with cravings and urges.
- Dangerous elevated body temperature, including hyperthermia.
- Increased heart risks with a fast heart rate and increased blood pressure.
- Panic attacks.
- Hostility, including violent behavior.
- Paranoia and Psychosis.
- Seizures.
Parents Are Prevention
Parents are the first line of defense when it comes to having open and honest conversations about the dangers of stimulants, both illegal and prescribed. Now is the time to talk with your children about the risks of using stimulants while their brains are still developing. Conversations can happen anywhere!
An estimated 561,000 people aged 12 or older had a stimulant use disorder (meaning that a person has problems with their health, school, or relationships because of their use of stimulants). All stimulants, including prescription stimulants, are dangerous and can be deadly. It's important to have open and honest conversations today!