YOUR HEALTHStimulants
What are Stimulants?
Stimulants are a class of drugs that speed up the nervous system. They are sometimes called "uppers" or "party drugs". Stimulants can come in different strengths and forms, including pills, capsules, and powders. Cocaine and crack cocaine are the most frequently used illegal substances in Canada.
What is Stimulant Poisoning?
Stimulants increase activity in the body and can lead to overheating or "over-amping." Over-amping can be fatal and should be treated as a drug poisoning. A person who is over-amping will usually remain conscious and may have some other symptoms like extreme anxiety, paranoia, or hallucinations.
Signs of Stimulant Poisoning (Over-Amping)
How to Respond to a Stimulant Poisoning
- Assess if it is safe for you to approach the person who is over-amping. If you do not feel safe, move to a safe location and call 911.
- If the person is conscious and it is safe to stay with them, remain calm and try the following:
- Offer them something cold to drink.
- Do not put them in a cold shower or bath.
- If they are confused or panicking, try to keep them calm.
- If they are experiencing psychosis, talk to them calmly using short sentences. Be empathetic and validate their feelings.
- If the person is no longer safe, call 911.
- If the person is unconscious:
- Call 911.
- Put them in the recovery position.
- Check the person's heart rate and breathing. If their heart has stopped, get someone with training to do CPR.
- If they are unconscious and you are in doubt, give them naloxone. Naloxone will not reverse a stimulant overdose, but it can help if someone has taken stimulants contaminated with opioids. Naloxone will not harm them if they have not taken an opioid.
- Wait with them until help arrives.
Lower Risk Stimulant Use
If you use stimulants, consider using safer methods. Check out the recommendations for safer use:
- Use sterile equipment. We offer sterile equipment through our Needle Syringe Program.
- Do not use drugs alone. Have someone with you who will look out for you if you need help. If this is not possible, ask a friend to check in on you.
- If using drugs with a friend, do not use at the exact same time.
- Use a testing strip to make sure that the substance is what you think it is.
- Drink lots of fluids and take time to cool off from activities that heat up your body.
- Know yourself and changes in your tolerance level. After not using stimulants for a while, your tolerance for a drug can be lower. Do not use the same amount as before and start with smaller amounts.
- Do not mix stimulants with other drugs or take with alcohol.