WHAT WE TREAT
We can help you overcome your prescription stimulants addiction, no matter how challenging that may feel. Through our combination of advanced diagnostics, medical excellence, and psychological treatments, we can address each and every underlying cause of your stimulant addiction.
Prescription stimulants are medications commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. While they can be highly effective for managing these conditions, they also carry a risk of misuse and dependency, especially when used outside of a doctor’s supervision or when taken in larger doses than prescribed.
For some, prescription stimulants can provide a sense of heightened focus or energy, which can be addictive. When the stimulant helps a person escape underlying struggles with anxiety, stress, or low self-esteem, it can create a cycle of reliance. Over time, the brain begins to associate the feeling of alertness or relief with the drug, leading to a dangerous dependency. As tolerance builds, higher doses may be needed to achieve the same effects, and withdrawal symptoms can make it harder to stop using. Chronic misuse of prescription stimulants can result in cognitive impairment, mood swings, and potentially long-term mental health challenges, impacting personal relationships and overall well-being.
At Paracelsus Recovery, we help those struggling with stimulant addiction through a personalised, comprehensive approach, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of the addiction to support long-term recovery.
As with many other addictions, the most notable sign of prescription stimulant dependency is continuing to use the substance despite the negative impact it has on your life. Being unable to stop using stimulants despite wanting to quit is a clear indicator. Other signs include:
- Continuing to use despite negative side effects such as anxiety, paranoia, or mood swings.
- Relying on prescription stimulants to stay focused, alert, or perform everyday tasks.
- Developing a higher tolerance, needing more of the drug to achieve the same effects.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, or irritability when not using.
- Prioritising tasks or events based on whether or not stimulants are available or usable.
Additional symptoms include:
What are the physical symptoms of prescription stimulant addiction?
- Restlessness or increased energy levels.
- Weight loss or reduced appetite.
- Rapid heartbeat or elevated blood pressure.
- Sleep disturbances or insomnia.
- Tension or headaches.
- Dry mouth or bad breath.
What are the emotional symptoms of prescription stimulant addiction?
- Increased irritability or mood swings.
- Feelings of agitation or nervousness when not using.
- Difficulty managing emotions without the stimulant.
- Emotional withdrawal from people or activities not related to stimulant use.
What are the behavioural symptoms of prescription stimulant addiction?
- Using prescription stimulants as a way to cope with stress, work pressure, or mental health challenges.
- Experiencing anxiety, paranoia, or extreme highs and lows, especially with higher doses.
- Struggling with concentration or cognitive function when not using.
- Losing interest in activities or hobbies that were previously enjoyable.
- Justifying or rationalising use despite recognising its harmful effects on your well-being.
If these signs sound familiar, we can help guide you toward recovery.
understanding your dependencies
Types of prescription stimulant addictions we treat
We understand unequivocally that pain is universal, but recovery has to be personal.
Adderall’s stimulating effects make it highly addictive, especially when misused for performance enhancement or energy boosts. At Paracelsus Recovery, we understand how an Adderall dependency can creep up on you. With medical expertise, therapy, and personalised care, we can help you overcome your dependency and live a productive, healthy, Adderall-free life.
Methylphenidates are commonly prescribed for ADHD but carry a high risk of dependence when misused. In our private and comfortable environment, we provide medical-led, compassionate support to guide you safely through withdrawal. Beyond detox, we address the root causes of your addiction, helping to restore your health and well-being with a personalised, holistic approach. With our dedicated care, lasting recovery is possible.
bespoke treatment
How we treat prescription stimulant addiction
We can’t tell you exactly what your four-week stay will involve because every person’s experience with prescription stimulant dependency is deeply personal. Therefore, at Paracelsus Recovery, we do not have a pre-defined treatment path for our patients. Instead, we create a bespoke treatment plan for every individual that targets their unique struggles. However, it is important to emphasise that we do not adopt a specific treatment model. Instead, we advocate for a completely pragmatic approach to addiction; whatever works best for you to achieve your goals.
Your days with us are thoughtfully structured to include a range of tailored therapeutic elements designed to help you break free from the cycle of addiction and restore your well-being. This personalised blend of therapies is curated to address both the physical dependence and the emotional, psychological, and behavioural aspects of addiction. This includes treating any mental health issues that your prescription use may be masking. See below for more details.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
At Paracelsus Recovery, we do not just treat symptoms; we identify and address the root causes of your prescription stimulant dependence. Our approach begins with comprehensive diagnostics, as we believe that precise medical assessments are the foundation of effective treatment. Through assessments such as functional and nutrient medicine, we assess gut health, biochemical imbalances, heavy metal toxicity, parasites, and environmental toxins, all of which can influence addiction and mental health. This in-depth analysis allows us to design a truly personalised, medically excellent treatment programme that restores your health holistically.
Your personalised treatment plan features cutting-edge therapies to address the root causes of your addiction while restoring your psychological, cellular, and biological well-being. To treat prescription stimulant addiction, we incorporate therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), sleep therapy, biofeedback, nutritional therapy, personal training, acupuncture, and art therapy.
However, we don’t just address the causes of addiction but also the consequences, such as any neurological or physiological damage caused by substance abuse. These are treated in parallel with the underlying factors driving your addiction. Our treatments typically involve intensive psychotherapy, biochemical restoration, and complementary therapies, all aimed at reducing stress and supporting your recovery.
15+ team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
We are the only residential prescription addiction treatment centre in the world to provide a minimum of 15 dedicated professionals to each client.
Guiding your recovery are a team of more than 15 dedicated professionals made up of world-renowned doctors, therapists and addiction specialists. The around-the-clock treatment they provide throughout your stay with us includes supervision of your medically safe withdrawal from drug(s). A live-in therapist will be a crucial member of your team who is there to provide you with emotional support 24/7. No matter the unique blend of treatments you receive, they will be delivered with the Swiss medical excellence we are known for.
Comprehensive programmes as unique as you are
Guided by our core principles of empathy, innovation and pragmatism, we curate our comprehensive and intensive treatment programmes to suit you and your needs. Those needs may be physical and psychological, e.g., if our team identifies nutritional deficiencies or signs of other addictions during the assessment period, your programme will be shaped with these in mind. However, those needs can be practical too – such as when a client needs to work or travel during their stay with us.
We can provide treatment for prescription stimulant addiction and any co-occurring dependencies and mental health conditions at our private residential drug treatment centre in Zurich.
FURTHER READING
