Stimulants
Stimulants are a large category
of drugs that range from various types of amphetamines to cocaine,
crack and other medicines. Stimulants speed up the activity within
a person’s body and brain and produce feelings of increased
awareness and concentration. Common amphetamines include speed
and crystal meth; these drugs may be referred to as uppers, ice
and meth. These drugs are relatively expensive; however their
cost varies depending on the quality and purity of the drugs.
There are many common stimulants
including caffeine, however illicit stimulants can produce extremely
harmful effects leading to addiction and death. Illicit stimulants,
cocaine in specific was first produced and used centuries ago,
but the commercial use and sale of stimulants became popular in
the mid-1800s. Amphetamines became popular in the 1930s and were
used to treat certain medical conditions.
Stimulants can be used in a variety
of different ways. Cocaine is most often snorted, whereas the
pure rock for of cocaine, or crack, is usually smoked. Amphetamines
are commonly swallowed, injected, smoked and inhaled, usually
bought in a powdered or tablet form. Stimulants are extremely
dangerous both in small and large quantities. There are no regulations
for illicit drugs, because they are illegal to begin with, however
this makes it difficult to tell if the drugs are ‘clean’
or not. Many dealers and drug producers add substances and various
chemicals to stimulants in order to make to more effective or
less expensive.
Stimulant users commonly suffer
from side effects including increased alertness, hyperactivity,
increased bodily functions (heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing),
enlarged pupils, anxiety, irritability, increased energy, and
changes in eating and sleeping patterns. Stimulants are mind-altering
chemicals and if used in high doses can cause hot and cold flashes,
hostility, respiratory problems, hallucinations, psychosis and
panic attacks. Users that have become addicted to stimulants are
unable to stop using the drugs even though they are experiencing
the negative consequences associated with them. Users who inject
stimulants into their bodies also run the risk of contracting
intravenous diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Because of
an increase in confidence and energy, many users find themselves
engaged in more dangerous or risky behavior such as unsafe sexual
conduct, violence and other criminal activities.
The effects of stimulants include
a feeling of ‘euphoria’, also known as a ‘high’,
and may last for up to several hours. Once the high has subsided
a user may experience a depression during which they may choose
to use other drugs to make the comedown easier. Stimulant users
are at a high risk for developing physical and psychological dependence
on these drugs and may find that after a period of habitual use
they need more and more of the drug to achieve the same result.
This phenomenon is known as tolerance and is one of the essential
signs of addiction. People who want to stop using stimulants generally
find that it is very difficult to do because they undergo painful
and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Addiction to stimulants
is treatable and should be taken care of in a substance abuse
treatment facility.
