Stimulant Addiction

  /  Stimulant Addiction Treatment in Colorado

Stimulant Addiction Treatment in Colorado

Data taken from Mental Health America indicates that as of 2022, at least 19.86% of the total American adult population suffers from one form of mental illness or another. This translates roughly into 50 million Americans. The Journal of the American Medical Association published a report that indicates that of this number, at least 50 percent are also affected by substance abuse.

In 2020, the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation released data that indicated the highest surge of stimulant overdose-related deaths ever recorded in the US, putting the death toll at 35,000.

Stimulants are among the most addictive substances ever used by people, with a high probability of developing addiction even from the first use, which more than justifies the need for effective stimulant addiction treatment and chronic relapse treatment in colorado.

Jaywalker Lodge in Carbondale, Colorado offers unique and evidence-based stimulant addiction treatment in Colorado to help people get over stimulants and maintain sobriety.

What are Stimulants?

Stimulants are substances that increase central nervous system activity by enhancing the interaction of various neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine and dopamine. This increased interaction leads to an enhancement of attention, alertness, and energy. The combination of these traits creates the sensation that the person is at the best form and performance level ever achievable in life. This is why many consider stimulants to be a good thing, instead of being the highly dangerous substance that it is.

For starters, misuse of stimulants can generate numerous adverse effects on the brain such as psychosis, paranoia, and anger. This effect also extends to other effects, such as overdose toxicity and also severe physiological reactions such as heart attack, seizures, and stroke.

The neurological effects of stimulant abuse present the most by way of dangerous effects, as the sensations derived from the substance create a false sense of physical capacity. The enhanced self-esteem and confidence it gives could cause people to severely overestimate their capabilities, often putting themselves in great danger by the false sense of invincibility it gives. This false sense of invincibility also extends to the person’s ability to feel tired, weak, and hungry, often extending the hours of wakefulness and removing the sensation of hunger. Lack of sleep and nutrition will contribute greatly to the overexertion that a person on stimulants experiences, and this could lead to injury and even cardiac arrest.

What are the Most Common Stimulants?

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The most common stimulants are typically the ones that are sold as prescription medications. Although these medications are heavily regulated, many are still able to get their hands on them and use them for illicit purposes. The irony of this is that a greater percentage of people with a heavy stimulant dependence use the substance primarily because of its “enhancement” properties, rather than the high or euphoric sensation it gives.

Adderall is currently the most popular attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment medication and the most commonly prescribed amphetamine in the US. It is also largely used to treat narcolepsy and is used illicitly as an athletic performance enhancer.

Dexedrine, alternatively known as Dextroamphetamine, is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Dexedrine is most commonly used as a treatment for ADHD. This substance was also used by military and special forces in operations that were known to be immensely taxing for operatives such as night-time bombing missions or extended combat operations.

This prescription stimulant was initially used for the treatment of hyperactive children back in the 1950s. Ritalin differs from other stimulants such as Dexedrine and Adderall as Ritalin is a CNS stimulant known as methylphenidate, which acts similarly to amphetamines. It is, however, known to be milder than most amphetamine-based medications.

Concerta is a relatively new drug used to treat ADHD. This substance is an extended-release version of Ritalin. Less-known usage of this substance is for treatment-resistant instances of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

Desoxyn is one of the earliest known prescription methamphetamines and was the first medication prescribed for obesity. It was also used to treat ADHD. More than a second-line treatment for ADHD, however, this prescription stimulant is better known as a recreational drug because of its ability to promote quick mood enhancement, making it ideal for use in social settings such as parties.

Ephedrine is most commonly known as an appetite suppressant and also a bronchodilator for those with asthma, although it has effects similar to other stimulants. This substance is also used for temporary relief of shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing due to bronchial asthma, as well as used to prevent low blood pressure and treat obesity.

This prescription stimulant is also used to prevent hypotension or low blood pressure during anesthesia. Ephedrine is also known to reduce motion sickness, although it has been in use more as a substance to decrease the sedating effects of other medications used for motion sickness.

Non-prescription Stimulants include the substances typically available as street drugs, including:

  • Cocaine
  • Crack
  • Crystal meth

What are the Effects of Stimulant Abuse?

As stimulants affect the central nervous system directly, a host of effects could be expected to manifest from their misuse. These include:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Hypertension
  • Tachycardia
  • Chest pains
  • Heart palpitations
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shakiness and tremors
  • Profuse sweating
  • Itchy skin
  • Severe weight loss
  • Increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke
  • Increased risk of heart muscle damage
  • Increased risk of cardiac arrest
  • Impaired memory
  • Cumulative lung damage (if stimulants are smoked)
  • Severely impaired sexual performance
  • Infertility
  • Compromised immune system.
  • Increased risk of infections (if stimulants are taken intravenously)
  • Severe dental decay, gum disease, and rapid loss of teeth (meth mouth)
  • Chronic respiratory system inflammation and/or damage to nasal mucosal surfaces (if stimulants are snorted)

Prolonged abuse of stimulants has also been observed to significantly affect the cognitive and proper behavioral functions of the person, often resulting in mental and behavioral patterns that are highly destructive and harmful to not only the person with the stimulant addiction but also to anyone around them. These include:

  • Severe agitation
  • Unwarranted aggression
  • Uncharacteristic hostility
  • Preference for isolation
  • Unexplainable and uncharacteristic repetitive behaviors
  • Impaired ability to think, remember, and communicate
  • Inability to sleep
  • A tendency towards inappropriate behavior
  • Loss of coordination
  • Sudden mood swings
  • Psychosis
  • Realistic hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Engaging in risky sexual behavior
  • Incoherent speech
  • Suicidal tendencies

How Can Jaywalker Lodge Help in Treatment?

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Jaywalker Lodge offers the only form of addiction treatment that makes use of the natural healing properties of the outdoors alongside innovative approaches to dealing with specific mental health issues such as substance abuse disorder. The location plays an integral role in the entire treatment, providing the patient with the necessary detachment from urban stress needed to promote better recovery and mental wellness.

Being removed from the deafening roar and chaos of urban areas has been observed to help people achieve better self-awareness and insight. These traits help in promoting the willingness of the patient to be better and work towards achieving true recovery and lasting sobriety.

At Jaywalker Lodge, each of our clients begins their treatment with The Landing Program. The Landing is essentially an introduction for new clients. This program helps our clients understand our programs, expectations, and community as a whole. Following a 5-7 day introduction through The Landing Program, our clients transition to the Lodge.

The Lodge is the foundation of our program of treatment. It is the core of what we offer at Jaywalker Lodge. While in The Lodge, the adult men in our treatment program navigate through their individualized treatment plan. The Lodge weekly schedule includes a variety of treatments and therapies to help the men in our program sustain long-term recovery.

The transitional Solutions Program is essential to our model of care at Jaywalker. At this point, our clients begin their road to independent recovery. The Solutions Program helps Jaywalkers regain a sense of personal accountability while still participating in structured therapies and activities. Our clients can expect to participate in service work as we believe giving back is an essential part of the recovery process.

The Jaywalker Outpatient Program is firmly rooted in the 12 steps. The men in our program continue to practice their recovery skills while meeting a couple of nights a week. During the Outpatient Program, we focus on overcoming obstacles to recovery. Whether it’s benzodiazepine addiction or another substance, our clients will have access to the highest quality treatment possible.

The Landing & The Lodge

At Jaywalker Lodge, each of our clients begins their treatment with The Landing Program. The Landing is essentially an introduction for new clients. This program helps our clients understand our programs, expectations, and community as a whole. Following a 5-7 day introduction through The Landing Program, our clients transition to the Lodge.

The Lodge is the foundation of our program of treatment. It is the core of what we offer at Jaywalker Lodge. While in The Lodge, the adult men in our treatment program navigate through their individualized treatment plan. The Lodge weekly schedule includes a variety of treatments and therapies to help the men in our program sustain long-term recovery.

Solutions Program

The transitional Solutions Program is essential to our model of care at Jaywalker. At this point, our clients begin their road to independent recovery. The Solutions Program helps Jaywalkers regain a sense of personal accountability while still participating in structured therapies and activities. Our clients can expect to participate in service work as we believe giving back is an essential part of the recovery process.

Outpatient Services

The Jaywalker Outpatient Program is firmly rooted in the 12 steps. The men in our program continue to practice their recovery skills while meeting a couple of nights a week. During the Outpatient Program, we focus on overcoming obstacles to recovery. Whether it’s benzodiazepine addiction or another substance, our clients will have access to the highest quality treatment possible.

Jaywalker Lodge Can Show You A Way Out of Addiction

There is a way out of substance abuse, and while it will not be an easy path to take, it will ultimately be rewarding, as the only outcome is a better, healthier life for you, free of dependence. This is something that we here at Jaywalker Lodge have down to a science, as we employ evidence-based approaches to help people get over their addiction and maintain sobriety for the long haul.

Find Help the at Jaywalker Lodge

Our treatment program is particularly unique because it takes a different path from the usual modes of treatment, and we have evidence to prove that this has worked far better than most others. Contact us to learn more.