Prescription Stimulants vs Depressants Addiction

Addiction is a disease marked by an intense and persistent dependency upon a substance, usually drugs or alcohol. When individuals find themselves struggling with a substance use disorder, they need professional support to heal. Like any disease, individuals are unlikely to heal without the right treatment and may, in fact, develop other severe, negative health conditions. Many questions arise when you or someone you love suffers from addiction. You worry about getting the right treatment, what happens when you do not get help, and the potential of death from this substance abuse. These are valid fears. So what are the differences between prescription stimulants vs. depressants, and what help do you or your loved one need?

Beaches Recovery offers a wide range of addiction treatment programs. Our team of counselors, therapists, and treatment professionals can guide individuals through the effects of substance use disorder and how to find the right help.

About Stimulant and Depressant Abuse in America

Because opioids are so newsworthy right now, many Americans forget that other types of drugs bring deadly consequences, too. People abusing the other two most commonly abused drugs are also rushed to the ER for accidental overdose. They also need help through a quality treatment facility for addiction recovery.

Besides opioids which treat pain, stimulants and depressants offer the potential for abuse and addiction. Stimulant drugs include amphetamines, such as Adderall, Ritalin, and other medications used for asthma, weight loss, ADHD, or narcolepsy. Depressants include benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and other drugs used for anxiety or sleep disorders.

Prescription Stimulants vs. Depressants Addiction

Suffering addiction to stimulants vs. depressants makes no difference in risks and the need for recovery. Both drugs destroy your body, mind, relationships, finances, career, and other aspects of your life over time with abuse.

Depressants slow down your central nervous system (CNS). This makes these drugs useful for conditions like sleep disorders, seizures, and anxiety. Using a depressant lowers your brain activity and makes you feel calm or tired. But abusing these medications leads to addiction and the effects of withdrawal seizures, such as slowed breathing and heart rate.

Stimulants create the opposite effects of depressants. These medications speed up your body’s systems, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. So people abuse these drugs to feel focused and energetic. But with this high comes fast heartbeat, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and other risky health effects.

The critical differences between stimulants vs. depressants are the speeding up of your body systems with stimulants versus the slowing down of depressants. Despite these differences, both types of prescription drug abuse lead to addiction and the risk of death.

Treatment for Prescription Stimulants and Depressants Addiction

Whether you or someone you love abuse stimulants vs. depressants, you need immediate help from quality addiction treatment programs. This treatment must include an array of therapies and services designed to meet your individual needs. Through this help, you can experience the hope and fulfillment of lifelong recovery.

For lasting recovery, you need a range of treatment methods that include:

• Medical detox
• Residential drug rehab
• Outpatient care
• Aftercare
• Extended care
• Sober living program
• Dual diagnosis treatment

Across all our addiction treatment programs, individuals can participate in some of our experiential therapy activities, such as hiking, bowling, equine, and art therapy. We also offer conventional therapies like individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.

As you consider the differences between addiction to stimulants vs. depressants, start focusing on what you need for lasting recovery. You or your loved one can get the help you need in Jacksonville, Florida, at Beaches Recovery. Beaches provide accredited care for real hope of lasting sobriety. Call us now at 866.605.0532, or contact us online to verify your health insurance benefits and learn more about Beaches’ programs and treatment methods.