Stimulant Use Disorder
Structured treatment for cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription stimulant dependence.
Overview
What it is.
Medically reviewed by Peter Scheid, MD
Medical Director, SILC Health
Clinically reviewed by Alexandra Truman, LMFT
Clinical Director, Substance Use Services — SILC Health
Last reviewed: June 16, 2026
Stimulant use disorder covers compulsive use of cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin) despite mounting consequences. More than 4 million Americans meet criteria for the disorder, and overdose deaths involving stimulants have risen sharply — often because the drugs are now mixed with fentanyl. Stimulants change how the brain regulates reward, energy, and decision-making, which is why willpower alone rarely works.
Unlike alcohol or opioids, stimulant withdrawal is less about physical symptoms and more about a hard psychological crash — depression, exhaustion, intense cravings, and difficulty experiencing pleasure for weeks. This crash is where most relapses happen, which is why structured treatment matters more than detox alone.
Signs
What it looks like.
Recognizing the pattern is often the hardest part. None of these alone confirms a diagnosis — but a cluster of them is worth taking seriously.
- Using more, or for longer, than intended
- Binge patterns followed by a crash (sleep, depression, exhaustion)
- Cravings that feel impossible to resist
- Failed attempts to cut back or quit
- Continuing to use despite health, work, or relationship problems
- Paranoia, agitation, or aggression while using
- Weight loss, dental problems, or skin issues (especially with meth)
- Mixing stimulants with other substances to manage the comedown
Our Approach
How SILC treats it.
SILC Health treats stimulant use disorder with a structured continuum of care. While stimulant withdrawal isn't medically dangerous in the way alcohol or benzo withdrawal can be, the psychological crash that follows is brutal — and unsupported, it's where most relapses happen. Our detox program provides medical monitoring, sleep support, and a stable environment through the first 5–10 days.
After stabilization, residential or partial hospitalization care addresses the deeper drivers: contingency management (one of the most evidence-supported treatments for stimulant use disorder), cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed work, and structured recovery community. There are not yet FDA-approved medications for stimulant use disorder, so behavioral treatment is the standard of care — and it works when the dose and duration are right.
If SILC isn't the right fit, our admissions team will help you find a trusted partner facility that is.
Therapies & Modalities
FAQ
Common questions.
Is stimulant detox dangerous?
Stimulant withdrawal isn't typically medically dangerous, but it's psychologically severe — deep crashes, exhaustion, depression, and intense cravings. Medical monitoring helps because dehydration, sleep deprivation, and underlying cardiac strain can complicate the picture. The structure of detox is what makes the difference.
Are there medications for cocaine or meth addiction?
Not yet. Unlike opioids or alcohol, stimulant use disorder has no FDA-approved medications as of today. Research is active, but the current standard of care is behavioral treatment — contingency management and CBT have the strongest evidence base.
How long does treatment take?
Detox typically runs 5–10 days. Residential or PHP care commonly runs 30–90 days. Longer is generally better for stimulant use disorder — the psychological recovery (anhedonia, motivation, sleep) takes weeks to months to normalize.
What about prescription stimulants like Adderall?
Misuse of prescription stimulants follows the same disease process as cocaine or meth use, even when the pills come from a doctor. Treatment is structurally similar, with extra attention to whether an underlying ADHD diagnosis needs reevaluation and whether non-stimulant alternatives are appropriate.
Does insurance cover stimulant treatment?
Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary substance use treatment under federal parity laws. Our admissions team verifies benefits before you commit to anything.
Related
You may also be looking for
Alcohol Use Disorder
Medically supervised detox and structured treatment for alcohol dependence.
Opioid Use Disorder
Medically supervised detox and long-term treatment for opioid dependence — prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl.
Cannabis Use Disorder
Structured treatment for problematic cannabis use — especially with today's high-potency THC products.
Co-Occurring Disorders (Dual Diagnosis)
Integrated treatment for substance use and mental health conditions — treated together, not one at a time.
Talk to admissions
One conversation can change the trajectory.
Whether SILC is the right fit or not, we'll listen and help you find a path forward.