Download Stimulants

Stimulants
History:
1930’s: Benzedrine is used in inhalers, used as a
cure for many of illnesses.
1940: WWII used to treat battle fatigue (pep
pills)
1950’s: Elevate mood
1960’s: Peak use
1970’s/80’s: Replaced by cocaine
Typical Use of Stimulants
Increase alertness
Treatment of Narcolepsy
Weight loss aid.
Types of Stimulants
Drug
How used
Duration
Cocaine
sniffed, inject,
smoked
20 min. to 1 hour
Amphetamines
oral, injected
2 to 4 hours
Methamphetamine
smoked, oral
inject, inhaled
4 to 14 hours
Immediate Physical and
Psychological Effects of Stimulants
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Euphoria
Increased Alertness
Excitation
Decreased Appetite
Insomnia
Restlessness
Long Term Psychological Effects
of Stimulant Use
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Nervousness
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Decreased Mental Ability
Long Term Physiological Effects
of Stimulant Use
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Dizziness
Tremors
Sexual impotence
Insomnia
Skin disorders
Malnutrition
Seizures
Death
Stimulant Overdose
Agitation
Increase in body temperature
Hallucinations
Convulsions
Heart Attack
Deaths due to an overdose on amphetamines
occur after a high fever. Amphetamines alter the
part of the brain responsible for regulating body
temperature.
Withdrawal from Stimulants
Apathy
Long periods of sleep
Irritability
Depression
Disorientation
“Crash”
Cocaine
-Plant derived stimulant (Coca plant)
-Synthesized from the coca plant.
-Leaves are reduced to a cocaine paste
(highly potent-no recreational use).
-The paste is treated form to cocaine
hydrochloride (less potent, can’t be
smoked).
- Crack: Cocaine hydrochloride is reduced to its
base and combine with baking powder.
Cocaine: Route of Administration
Route
Snort
IV
Free-base (smoke)
Crack (smoke)
Duration of High
30 to 45 minutes
10 to 20 minutes
5 to 10 minutes
5 to 10 minutes
Cocaine Doses
• Cocaine Hydrochloride:
25 mg to 100 mg
• Crack:
250mg to 1 gram
Drug Testing for Cocaine
A urine test will detect cocaine for up to
12 hours after use.
A urine test will detect the cocaine
metabolite for up to 2 weeks after use.
Uses of Cocaine
Used as a local anesthesia
Vasoconstrictor
Psycho-stimulant:
Strong reinforcing quality leading
to psychological dependence.
Cocaine Personality
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Reckless
Rebellious
Low tolerance for frustration
Craving for excitement
Risk-Taker
Personal or family history of depression
Cocaine and The Brain
• Stimulates the part of the brain
responsible for pleasure and well-being.
• Depletes Dopamine and Dopamine
Receptors
• Strong reinforcing psycho-active effect.
Cocaine Withdrawal
3 Stage Model:
1. Crash-occurs 9 hours to 4 days after first use
(depression, extreme tiredness).
2. Withdrawal-1 to 10 weeks after last use
(depression, strong cravings)
3. Extinction Phase- can last indefinitely. (periodic
craving, bouts of depression)
Crystal-Methamphetamine
• High powered psycho-stimulant
• Typically produced in home labs
• Route of administration: snorted, inject,
smoked
• Immediate effects, with total absorption
taking up to 4 hours
• Effects are similar to Cocaine
Cocaine
VS
• Plant Derived
• Effects last 20min
to 1 hour
• 50% of the drug is
removed from the
body in one hour
• Can be used as a
local anesthetic
Crystal
• Man-made
• Effects last 8 to 24
hours
• 50% of the drug is
removed from the
body in 12 hours
• No medical use