When an Escape Becomes a Trap: Breaking Free from Stimulant Use Disorder

How did it begin for you? 

Perhaps you struggled to keep up with life’s demands, and stimulants helped you stay on top of things for the first time in a long time.  

Or maybe these substances lightened your emotional load when things felt impossibly heavy. 

Somewhere along the way, however, your source of relief became a new source of grief. Stimulants initially offered escape, but—in an ironic twist—they became a trap.  

If this is your story or the story of someone you love dearly, we have good news. 
Neither you nor your loved one are alone in struggling with Stimulant Use Disorder (StUD). Even more importantly, however, recovery is possible! 

You Are Not Alone: A Look at An Epidemic 

According to the American Medical Association’s “Overdose Epidemic Report 2024,” over 9.7 million people aged 12 or older misused stimulants in 2023 in the United States. 

Like we said, you are not alone. Neither is your loved one who is wrestling with StUD. Not by a long shot!

Out of these 9.7 million people, 5 million used cocaine, 2.6 million used methamphetamine, and 3.9 million misused prescription stimulants. If you add these numbers, the total exceeds 9.7 million because these categories overlap. Some people who use cocaine, for example, may also misuse prescription stimulants. 

Here in Ohio, stimulant misuse is factoring into more fatal outcomes. According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the state has seen an increase in stimulant-related overdose deaths in recent years.  

In 2012, cocaine contributed to 17% of these fatalities, and stimulants (including methamphetamine) factored into 2% of them. The situation drastically changed by 2020, with approximately one in four overdose deaths involving cocaine and more than one in five involving stimulants.

If these grim numbers make you wonder if you or a loved one who is misusing stimulants is in danger of becoming StUD statistics, take heart. While these numbers paint a grim picture, recovery is within reach—you only need to ask for help. 

Recovery Is Possible: Contingency Management and You

What does that help look like, though? 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Contingency management, otherwise known as “CM,” is “widely considered the most effective treatment for Stimulant Use Disorder.” 

CM is a form of behavioral therapy that provides participants with rewards for positive behaviors like passing drug tests, attending treatment sessions, or achieving milestones in recovery. These rewards, which are offered immediately following positive behaviors, may include cash, gift cards, prizes, vouchers, or other incentives that motivate individuals to continue the treatment process. 

When it comes to treating Stimulant Use Disorder, CM produces better results than other options like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy. It leads to significantly higher rates of abstinence, better treatment retention, and increased confidence in maintaining sobriety throughout treatment, too.

If your local prevention and recovery service providers do not offer CM, they can connect you with partners who use this treatment to help people struggling with StUD. You deserve to escape the trap of StUD—and the professionals committed to helping you succeed believe this, too!

The Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ACCADA)

Earlier, we asked how your StUD story began.  

What would you say if we told you treatment could help your story become a celebration of recovery? 

At the Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ACCADA), we would like to help you write that story and lean into it with your life. 

We often describe recovery as a journey. We would love to walk alongside you or your loved one on the road to recovery. 

With your willingness to reach out for help and our knowledge of the terrain, we can put one foot in front of the other together and celebrate treatment milestones along the way. 

Reach out to us today to start your recovery journey. If you are hesitant to take this first step, we understand. You are not alone in that, either. Know that when you seek help and embrace recovery, you join the ranks of many brave souls who have done likewise. 

Go ahead and take that first step. It’s worth it to watch the grief of struggling with StUD give way to the relief that comes with recovery. We want to see you succeed as much as we do—believe it!