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Your spouse went out that night to hang out with friends. You didn’t think anything of it, spending your evening at home, catching up on some shows you liked. You checked in with your partner every once in a while, ensuring they knew you’d be happy to pick them up if they needed a designated driver. They insisted they were good and they’d be home within the hour.
When your partner got home, you expected they might smell a bit of alcohol and that they’d probably be ready for bed considering the late hour. What you didn’t expect was them to be jittery and giggly. They almost acted like a kid who’d eaten too much candy before bed. You’d never seen them act this way before and began to ask them about their night. They told you about the movies they watched with their friends and eventually mentioned that they’d taken a “hit” of something to help make the night more fun. Could drugs be the cause of this? Are there drugs that make you hyper?
As one of the oldest non-profit rehab facilities in Oregon, our team at Serenity Lane knows a great deal about substance use and its side effects. Many side effects, like hyperactivity, are lesser known, making them more likely to be overlooked. Nearly 1 in 10 people age 12+ in Oregon reported having a substance use disorder. By spreading awareness regarding the side effects of substance use, we hope more people might be able to spot signs in themselves or loved ones and make more informed decisions about their health. Today we’re going to look at hyperactivity as a side effect, what substances can cause it, and what you should do if you notice it.
Substances interact with our brains and body functions in many ways. While substances all impact the body differently, certain combinations of side effects can lead to someone acting hyper. The most common combination is when someone experiences a boost of energy alongside euphoria.
The euphoria often comes from boosted levels of dopamine in the body. This can occur either by the substance preventing dopamine from being recycled into the body like it normally is or by the substance boosting the production of dopamine in the first place. Dopamine is one of the reward chemicals in our body, responsible for the feeling of satisfaction and happiness from doing things like eating or having sex.
The elevated energy levels, on the other hand, come from substances that speed up the processes in the body, especially the central nervous system. The central nervous system, or CNS, is responsible for our body communicating with itself. When this system and others are sped up by substances, it can feel like we’re jittery or that we have excess energy to burn.
If you notice someone is suddenly acting hyper, how can you tell if it's caused by substance use?
The primary way of knowing what hyperactivity might be caused by is to pay attention to the other symptoms or behaviors the person is showcasing. For example, if they seem agitated, are breathing rapidly, have increased anxiety, or have an increased appetite – they might be under the influence of a substance.
Another way you can determine the source of their hyperactivity is by paying attention to context clues. Did they just come home from hanging out with friends? Are they avoiding answering your questions? Have they used substances before? Is there anything else with them that could cause their hyperactivity like coffee or other caffeinated products?
Overall it’s important to use your best judgment and remember that not all bouts of hyperactivity are going to be related to substance use.
There are two primary types of substances: stimulants and depressants. As you might be able to guess by the names, stimulants are commonly the type of substance that can lead to hyperactivity. Let’s go over a few common stimulants and how they can impact you.
Cocaine is a fast-acting stimulant, with cocaine side effects usually appearing within a few minutes to an hour. As a fast-acting stimulant, however, the effects also fade just as quickly. While it can make people feel extra alert and give them the feeling of having extra energy, it also comes with negative side effects, too.
Those who take cocaine might also experience restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and paranoia. When the side effects dissipate, people sometimes feel bereft or sad in comparison to the heightened euphoria they were just experiencing. This can lead to someone deciding to take more cocaine, making the cycle continue and the risk of dependency increasing.
Unlike cocaine, methamphetamine (meth) stays in a person’s system for a longer period of time. During use, people often feel alert and feel like they have excess energy to burn. It also comes with other meth side effects like decreased appetite, insomnia, increased heart rate, and overheating.
Unlike cocaine and meth, which are primarily stimulants, ecstasy is both a stimulant and a psychedelic. Experiencing hyperactivity while taking ecstasy isn’t as common as it is with cocaine and meth. While ecstasy does cause feelings of euphoria, the feelings of alertness or excess energy don’t happen as often.
Those who take ecstasy also risk side effects such as confusion, depression, paranoia, muscle cramps, nausea, and more.
As with any substance use, there are always risk factors. It is never fully safe to engage in any level of substance use.
The types of drugs that can lead to hyperactivity come with the risk of more severe side effects, including overdosing. With the increased heart rate and breathing, as well as the way the body is sped up, people run the risk of things such as:
With continued or increased use of stimulants, the risk of experiencing these side effects increases. If you ever notice someone experiencing life-threatening side effects from substance use, don’t be afraid to call for medical help.
Taking the step away from substance use and toward recovery can seem like a daunting one, but you’re not alone in this. No matter where you are in your recovery journey, or what your history is of substance use, recovery is always possible.
When it comes to finding substance use treatment programs to suit your needs, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Finding a facility that offers medical detox programs can be very beneficial to getting you started on the right foot. A detox program will help ensure that you’re safe and comfortable during the withdrawal process and get you started with treatment.
From there, inpatient or outpatient treatment are good options. In inpatient treatment, you stay on-site so you can focus solely on your recovery journey while surrounded by supportive, trained staff members and peers. Outpatient recovery still helps you connect with peers and be guided by the same supportive, trained staff but allows you to stay at home during the night. Both programs have the potential to change your life.
Here at Serenity Lane, we offer the full continuum of care. Backed by our master’s level, trained medical staff, we’ll work with you to ensure your needs are met to set you up for long-term success. There’s no wrong time to start, so give us a call today at 800-543-9905 and we’ll get back on the path you want to be on.
Find serenity in long-term recovery.
What drugs make you feel jittery?
The most common substances that can make a person feel “jittery” include stimulants like cocaine, meth, or ecstasy. This happens due to the stimulants speeding up the body, making you feel as though you’re more awake or have more energy.
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