Stimulants are a large class of drugs that work by stimulating the central nervous system (CNS). These drugs can promote wakefulness, alertness and concentration. Stimulants include illicit drugs like methamphetamine, prescription drugs like Adderall and over-the-counter drugs like caffeine and nicotine. Stimulant drugs can be natural or synthetic.
Because the drug class is so large, there is a range of risks that are associated with different types of stimulants. Many types of stimulants can cause the development of tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Prescription and illicit stimulants also have additional risks associated with use.
Stimulant drug abuse is widespread, and “study drugs” like Ritalin and Adderall have been a source of concern recently. High school and college students are at high risk for misusing these drugs, which can lead to potentially negative outcomes.
Before getting into the details of stimulant addiction, it may be helpful to understand a few terms:
The various classes of amphetamines are chemically diverse, and each type of amphetamine can have very different effects on the brain. One amphetamine may lead to only mild dependence, but another may lead to significant dependence or addiction. If dependence or addiction occurs, a person would need constant drug administration and ever-increasing doses to prevent withdrawal symptoms.