What We Treat / Addiction
Stimulant Addiction Treatment in Seattle
Stimulant use disorder, whether it involves methamphetamine, cocaine, or prescription stimulants, is a serious condition that behavioral treatment can address. Mountain View Health provides outpatient care for adults in Seattle.
Understanding
Addiction
What Is Stimulant Use Disorder?
Stimulant use disorder is problematic use of stimulant drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin. Stimulants cause a rapid surge of dopamine in the brain's reward circuits, followed by a prolonged crash.
Methamphetamine and cocaine use can damage the heart and brain over time, and stimulant use can also be part of overdoses. Seeking treatment early lowers the risk of that harm.
Unlike opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder has no FDA-approved medication. Behavioral therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are the foundation of treatment.
Warning Signs
Recognizing Stimulant Use Disorder
Stimulant use disorder looks different depending on the substance, but these are common clinical indicators.
Binge-Crash Pattern
Using stimulants in runs or binges followed by prolonged sleep, low mood, and fatigue.
Paranoia & Hallucinations
Experiencing paranoid thoughts or hallucinations during or after use — common with methamphetamine.
Cardiovascular Symptoms
Rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat associated with stimulant use.
Severe Mood Disturbance
Pronounced low mood, irritability, nervousness, or emotional volatility between uses or during withdrawal.
Compulsive Use
Inability to stop using despite serious consequences including health deterioration, job loss, or relationship breakdown.
Social Isolation
Withdrawal from previously valued relationships and activities; keeping use secret or associating exclusively with other users.
Withdrawal & Detox
Stimulant Withdrawal: The Crash and Beyond
Stimulant withdrawal, sometimes called "the crash," is not usually medically dangerous, but it can be hard to get through. Heavy stimulant use can leave you with weeks of low mood, fatigue, and trouble feeling pleasure, which can make a return to use more likely.
Days 1–3
The Crash
- Intense fatigue and sleeping far more than usual
- Increased appetite after period of suppression
- Profound low mood and emotional flatness
- Irritability and agitation
- Powerful cravings to use again
- Cognitive slowing and memory difficulty
Days 4–14
Withdrawal
- Persistent low mood and dysphoria
- Anhedonia — inability to feel pleasure
- Nervousness and paranoia (especially meth)
- Sleep disruption and fatigue
- Strong situational cravings
- Poor concentration and motivation
Weeks to Months
Extended Recovery
- Gradual return of pleasure and motivation
- Cognitive clarity slowly improving
- Intermittent low mood and cravings
- Sleep normalizing
- Emotional volatility stabilizing
- Long-term dopamine system repair
Heavy stimulant use can affect the brain's dopamine system, and it can take months to recover. The low mood and flat feelings of early recovery are a recognized effect of withdrawal, not a character failing.
Our Approach
Treating Stimulant Use Disorder
Because no medication has been approved for stimulant use disorder, treatment relies on behavioral therapy and structured programming. Care includes individual and group therapy.
(253)-252-5875Individual Therapy
Individual sessions focus on your own use, your triggers, and the situations where cravings are strongest.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT skills help you spot high-risk situations and thinking patterns that sustain stimulant use and build relapse prevention habits.
Group Therapy
Group therapy gives you peer support and a place to work through cravings and setbacks in early recovery.
Programs at Mountain View
Levels of Care Available
Whether your plan pays depends on your benefits and medical necessity. Admissions verifies your benefits for free before you begin.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
25 to 30 hours a week over 5 to 6 days, with daily individual and group therapy. You go home in the evening.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
9 to 12 hours a week over 3 to 5 days, with morning, afternoon, and evening tracks. It suits people stepping down from PHP and people who keep working, studying, or caring for family.
Outpatient Program (OP)
1 to 3 hours a week over 1 to 3 days of therapy and group support, for stable recovery or a step down from a higher level.
Why Mountain View Health
The Basics of Care Here
Skills-Based Therapy
The clinical team teaches CBT and DBT skills for cravings, relapse prevention, and distress tolerance.
A Free Insurance Check
Admissions verifies your benefits for free, with no obligation, before you begin.
Confidential Care
Federal protections, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, apply to your treatment records.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there medication for methamphetamine or cocaine addiction?
No FDA-approved medication currently exists specifically for stimulant use disorder. Behavioral therapies, including CBT, are the foundation of treatment. A prescriber can talk with you about whether any medication fits your situation.
Do I need detox before starting outpatient treatment?
Stimulant withdrawal is hard to get through but is not usually medically dangerous. A clinical assessment decides whether you can start outpatient programming directly. Mountain View Health does not provide detox.
I am seeing or hearing things after using meth. What should I do?
If you or someone you know is experiencing paranoia, delusions, or hallucinations after methamphetamine use, seek emergency medical care or call 911. Once you are stable, admissions can talk with you about starting outpatient treatment.
How long does treatment take?
The length of care depends on your assessment and progress, and your plan is reviewed as you go. Early recovery from stimulants can include months of low mood and trouble feeling pleasure, so ongoing support helps.
Benefits Verification
Free Verification.
No Obligation.
Benefits verification is free, carries no obligation, and starts from a secure form. Admissions explains what your plan covers so you know your next step.
How The Process Works
- 01
Secure Submission
Provide your basic policy info through our secure form. Submitting it is confidential and carries no obligation.
- 02
Admissions Review
Admissions checks what your plan covers for partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care.
- 03
Clear Guidance
If your plan can be run, a written breakdown usually arrives within 1 to 2 hours. It is not a guarantee of coverage.