Promising research has shown that medication used to treat stimulant use disorders can help people manage their recovery by reducing a person’s cravings and use. The goal of this page is to offer easy-to-understand information about stimulant use disorders, potential treatment options, including medications, and helpful resources to support patients and their families in making informed decisions about their care. Whether you are seeking support for yourself or someone you care about, this is a place to start learning more about evidence-based approaches to treating stimulant use disorders like methamphetamine use disorder or cocaine use disorder.
Learn More About Medication for Stimulant Use Disorder
- What is Addiction?
Generally, addiction is a treatable chronic medical disease where a person uses a drug, like cocaine or methamphetamine, repeatedly despite harmful consequences. Addiction involves interactions in a person’s brain connections, their genetics, the environment they live in, and their lived experiences.
- What is Stimulant Use Disorder?
Stimulant use disorder is when someone continues to use substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, or prescription medications (e.g., Adderall) despite harm to the person using them. These substances increase brain activity, leading to heightened alertness and energy. However, misuse can result in serious health issues, including heart problems, mental health disorders, and even death. Currently, there is no medication available to reverse an overdose from stimulants like there is for opioids (e.g., Narcan)
- See below to learn more about commonly misused stimulants and their impact on an individual’s health
- Stimulant Use Disorder Treatment Options
There are different types of treatment for stimulant use disorders depending on how serious it is, ranging from therapy and medications in a doctor’s office to more intensive programs with many hours of support each week. Some people may need to stay in a treatment center or hospital if their condition is very severe or they need medical care. It is important to discuss different treatment options with your doctor to determine which is best for your needs.
Click here to read more about different treatment options for stimulant use disorders
- What are Medication Treatments for Stimulant Use Disorder?
- Medication treatments, once only used for substances like opioids and alcohol, are now being explored as a helpful option for stimulant use disorders. Research has shown that medications can help reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, improve mood and stability, and improve recovery success, especially when combined with therapy and support. Medication for substance use disorders works by making withdrawal easier and cravings more manageable, which helps people stay in treatment longer and lowers the chance of returning to use.
- The research – A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that Vivitrol (i.e., naltrexone) and Wellbutrin (i.e., bupropion), which are typically used to treat other substance use disorders and depression, can also work for methamphetamine use disorder. Although these medications are not FDA-approved to treat methamphetamine use disorder, you may still benefit from medication.
- It is important to discuss treatment options with a licensed medical provider to see if medication is right for you and to address appropriate dosage, frequency, and side effects.
- Medication Myths
Misbeliefs about medications to treat substance use disorders are harmful and perpetuate stigma, which can limit recovery options and healing. This graphic helps debunk damaging myths about medication treatment.
- Additional Resources for Families
Talking about stimulant use disorder and medication treatment with family or loved ones can be challenging. Below, you will find resources to help start these conversations, offering information on how stimulants affect the brain and why support from family and friends can play an important role in treatment and recovery.
