When someone struggles with stimulant addiction—whether it’s cocaine, methamphetamine, or prescription stimulants—there’s often an underlying assumption that recovery is simply about making better choices.
But addiction isn’t a matter of willpower alone. It’s a chronic treatable medical condition that changes how the brain functions. Like other chronic conditions, it often requires comprehensive care that addresses physical health, mental health, behavior patterns, and environmental triggers.
For people affected by stimulant use disorder, and their loved ones seeking help, understanding what effective treatment looks like can make all the difference in finding the right path forward.
Stimulant use disorder affects millions of Americans. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 4 million people in the United States meet diagnostic criteria for a stimulant use disorder.
Stimulants—includingmethamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription medications like Adderall or Vyvanse when misused—can increase dopamine levels in the brain. This may create intense feelings of energy, alertness, and euphoria.
Over time, regular stimulant use changes the brain’s reward system. What might start as recreational use or a way to cope with stress can evolve into a condition where cravings become overwhelming and stopping feels nearly impossible without support. This isn’t weakness; it’s neurobiology.
The reality is that stimulant use disorder affects people from all walks of life, including college students using “study drugs,” professionals managing demanding careers, and individuals self-medicating for undiagnosed mental health conditions. And regardless of how addiction develops, recovery is possible with the right treatment approach.
The idea that someone should be able to “just stop” using substances oversimplifies a complex medical condition. Research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows that addiction can cause lasting changes in brain function that affect decision-making, impulse control, and stress response.
These changes don’t disappear simply because someone wants them to.
Trying to overcome addiction through willpower alone is like trying to manage diabetes through positive thinking without medical care or lifestyle support: it doesn’t address the underlying condition. And when people inevitably struggle without proper support, they often internalize this as personal failure rather than recognizing the need for medical and therapeutic treatment.
Recovery from stimulant use disorder often involves addressing multiple factors:
Evidence-based outpatient addiction treatment can help you build stability and reduce cravings with real support.
Unlike opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder, there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically designed to treat stimulant use disorder. This means behavioral therapies are the foundation of treatment.
However, medications can still play an important role in treating co-occurring conditions (like depression, anxiety, or ADHD) and supporting overall stability.
Behavioral therapy helps people understand the thought patterns and triggers associated with their substance use, develop healthier coping strategies, and build skills for long-term recovery.
Several approaches have shown strong evidence of effectiveness:
Contingency Management (CM) has demonstrated strong effectiveness in treating stimulant use disorders. This approach provides structured, tangible rewards, like vouchers or prizes, for recovery-oriented behaviors—such as attending visits, engaging in care, or providing drug-free urine samples.
While it might seem simple, CM is designed to help retrain the brain’s reward system, providing consistent positive reinforcement.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify the thoughts, feelings, and situations that lead to substance use and develop practical strategies to manage them. CBT focuses on skills like handling stress, managing cravings, and making decisions that support recovery goals.
The Matrix Model is a structured behavioral treatment approach specifically designed for stimulant use disorders. It combines individual therapy, group therapy, family education, drug testing, and encouragement to participate in peer support over a set program period (commonly 16 weeks).
While no medications are specifically approved for stimulant use disorder, some medications may be used off-label in certain situations based on patient needs and provider judgement.
For example, some studies suggest medications like bupropion or naltrexone may help reduce cocaine or methamphetamine use for some people. These medications may also be helpful when someone has co-occurring conditions—such as depression or tobacco use disorder.
For people with both ADHD and stimulant use disorder, non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) may support recovery by treating ADHD symptoms without using stimulant-based medication.
Medication decisions are individualized and should always be discussed with a licensed healthcare provider.
Individual and group therapy provide space to explore the deeper issues that can contribute to substance use. Many people with stimulant use disorder are also managing trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.
Addressing these co-occurring conditions is often essential for sustained recovery.
Therapy can also help rebuild the life skills and relationships that addiction can strain. It provides tools for communication, emotional regulation, and creating routines that support stability.
Connection with others who have lived experience can be invaluable. Peer recovery specialists who have navigated their own recovery can provide guidance, encouragement, and practical support.
They understand firsthand what it’s like to face cravings, manage triggers, and rebuild a life in recovery.
Research suggests that peer recovery support may improve treatment engagement and long-term recovery outcomes for many people. There’s power in knowing you’re not alone and learning from people who truly understand and have walked a similar path.
At Eleanor Health, we understand that an effective stimulant use disorder treatment program needs to support the whole person, not just the substance use.
Our comprehensive outpatient program combines evidence-based behavioral therapies with medical support, counseling, and peer recovery coaching, tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals.
Treatment at Eleanor Health may include:
Personalized behavioral therapy using approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and, when appropriate, contingency management strategies to support recovery goals.
Medical oversight from physicians and nurse practitioners who can prescribe medications to support co-occurring mental health conditions or, when clinically appropriate, options that may help reduce stimulant use based on emerging research.
Individual and group counseling to address the psychological, emotional, and social factors—and build skills for lasting recovery.
Peer support services connect people in recovery with certified peer recovery specialists who provide lived-experience guidance and help people access community resources like housing support, employment services, and other practical needs.
Flexible scheduling that fits around work, family, and other commitments, with virtual and in-person options available depending on location.
We take a harm-reduction approach, which means we meet people wherever they are—whether they’re ready to pursue complete abstinence or focusing on reducing use and rebuilding stability. Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all, and treatment goals can evolve as circumstances change.
Starting treatment for stimulant use disorder typically begins with a comprehensive assessment. During an initial appointment, a medical provider will discuss substance use patterns, medical history, mental health, and treatment goals.
This conversation helps create a personalized care plan based on your needs.
From there, treatment usually involves:
It’s important to know that progress isn’t always linear. Relapse can be part of the recovery process, and it doesn’t mean treatment has failed.
According to NIDA, relapse rates for substance use disorders are between 40% and 60%—similar to relapse rates for other chronic conditions like hypertension and asthma.
When setbacks happen, they can be an opportunity to reassess and strengthen the treatment approach, not a reason to give up.
Recovery from stimulant misuse isn’t about willpower. It’s about getting the right support, developing effective tools, and building a life worth living.
With comprehensive treatment that addresses the medical, psychological, and social needs, recovery is possible.
Eleanor Health makes getting started easy. After a confidential phone call to discuss needs and insurance, many people can be seen within two days, depending on location and provider availability.
Treatment is available entirely online across 15 states: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
To learn more or get started, call (866) 465-0590 or visit eleanorhealth.com.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Treatment and Recovery.” Drugs, Brains, and Behavior, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, July 2020, nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery.
SAMHSA. Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders. 2020, library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep20-06-01-001.pdf.
