Stimulants: Types, Usage, and Effects

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a common effect associated with lower doses of stimulants?

  • Reduced appetite
  • Seizures (correct)
  • Euphoria
  • Increased heart rate

The effects of stimulants are consistent across all individuals, regardless of their size, weight, or health condition.

False (B)

What is the term used to describe the use of multiple drugs at the same time?

Polydrug use

Stimulants can increase alertness by speeding up messages travelling between the brain and ______.

<p>body</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the stimulant with its common form:

<p>Caffeine = Legal substance Dexamphetamine = Medication Cocaine = Illicit substance Nicotine = Legal substance</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential risk associated with mixing stimulants like ice or speed with MAOIs?

<p>Elevated blood pressure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Tolerance to stimulants means that a person needs to take smaller amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two effects that might be experienced in the days after using ice or speed.

<p>Difficulties sleeping and unpleasant effects</p> Signup and view all the answers

The risk of ________ is much higher when using illicit stimulants compared to prescribed stimulants taken as directed.

<p>overdose</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'set' in the context of drug use?

<p>A person's state of mind and expectations when using a drug (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Taking dexamphetamine medication exactly as prescribed carries a significantly lower risk of harm compared to using illicit stimulants.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides euphoria and reduced appetite, list one other common effect of lower doses of stimulants.

<p>Increased alertness</p> Signup and view all the answers

If someone is experiencing a racing heartbeat, chest pain, and breathing problems after taking a stimulant, the recommended action is to call ______ immediately.

<p>000</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of mixing cocaine with MDMA?

<p>Increased risk of heart attack (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Stimulants only come in tablet or capsule form.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides medications and illicit substances, give one example of a legal stimulant.

<p>Caffeine</p> Signup and view all the answers

People who regularly use certain stimulants may develop a ______ to them, needing larger amounts to achieve the same effect.

<p>tolerance</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way that stimulants are commonly used?

<p>Applied topically (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The 'setting' in drug use refers exclusively to whether the environment is indoors or outdoors.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two symptoms that may indicate a stimulant overdose.

<p>Racing heartbeat, chest pain</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What are stimulants?

Drugs that speed up communication between the brain and body, leading to increased alertness and energy.

Examples of Stimulants

Caffeine, nicotine, dexamphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin), speed, ice, and cocaine.

How are stimulants used?

Can be swallowed, chewed, snorted, smoked, or injected, depending on the substance.

Effects of Lower Doses of Stimulants

Euphoria, increased heart rate, alertness, talkativeness, and reduced appetite.

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Effects of Higher Doses of Stimulants

Anxiety, increased body temperature, nausea, tremors, seizures, coma, and death.

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Set (in drug use)

A person's state of mind, previous drug experiences, and expectations.

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Setting (in drug use)

The environment where drug use occurs.

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Stimulant Overdose Symptoms

Racing heartbeat, chest pain, breathing problems, extreme agitation, fits/convulsions, and passing out.

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Stimulant Comedown Effects

Difficulties sleeping, irritability, and mild paranoia.

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Tolerance

Needing larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect.

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Dependence

Feeling the need for a drug to function normally.

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Polydrug Use

Using more than one drug at the same time or in sequence.

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Ice/Speed and MAOIs Risks

Elevated blood pressure leading to irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and stroke.

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Cocaine/Speed with Alcohol, Opioids, or Benzodiazepines Risks

Body stress from conflicting drug effects can lead to overdose.

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Ice and Speed/Cocaine Risks

Enormous strain on the heart, potentially leading to stroke.

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Cocaine and MDMA Risks

Cocaine blocks MDMA's desirable effects while increasing heart attack risk.

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Stimulant combinations

Mixing stimulants increases the risk of unpredictable and harmful effects.

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Study Notes

  • Stimulants are drugs that accelerate communication between the brain and body.
  • These drugs can induce feelings of alertness, confidence, and energy.
  • Stimulants include caffeine, nicotine, dexamphetamines, Adderall, methylphenidate (Ritalin), speed, ice, and cocaine.

Stimulant Appearance

  • Stimulants come in forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, clear crystals, or crystal-like powders with a strong smell and bitter taste.
  • Street names include uppers and pep pills.

Stimulant Usage

  • Methods of use vary by stimulant type, including oral ingestion, chewing, snorting, smoking, or injection.
  • The method of intake affects how quickly the effects begin.

Effects of Stimulants

  • Drug use always carries inherent risks

Factors Influencing Effects

  • Size, weight, and health affect how stimulants impact individuals.
  • Tolerance level influences the strength of effects.
  • Concurrent use of other drugs modifies the impact.
  • Dosage determines the intensity of effects.
  • The environment where the drug is taken plays a role.
  • Specific stimulant types produce different effects; caffeine has milder effects compared to ice or speed.

Lower Dose Effects

  • Euphoria can occur.
  • Feelings of well-being are heightened.
  • Heart rate and blood pressure increase.
  • Alertness increases.
  • Talkativeness may increase.
  • Appetite is reduced.

Higher Dose Effects

  • Anxiety may arise.
  • Tension can occur.
  • Body temperature increases.
  • Nausea can occur.
  • Tremors can manifest.
  • Seizures are possible.
  • Coma is a risk.
  • Death is possible.

Influence of Mood and Environment

  • Psychoactive drugs' effects are subject to a person's mental state ("set") and environment ("setting").

"Set" Defined

  • Set includes mindset, past drug experiences, and expectations.
  • Pre-existing stress or anxiety can worsen with drug use.

"Setting" Defined

  • Setting is the environment where drug use occurs, including familiarity, company, location, music, and lighting.
  • A calm environment may enhance positive experiences, while a noisy place may cause negative experiences.

Overdose Information

  • Illicit stimulant use presents a higher overdose risk.
  • Prescribed stimulants also pose a risk if dosage guidelines are ignored.
  • Seek immediate medical help by calling 000 if experiencing a racing heartbeat, chest pain, breathing issues, extreme agitation, fits/convulsions, or loss of consciousness.

"Coming Down" Effects

  • Unpleasant effects may occur in the days following stimulant use.
  • Ice or speed use may cause sleep disturbances.
  • Cocaine use may result in irritability and mild paranoia.

Tolerance and Dependence

  • Tolerance and dependence risks differ by stimulant.
  • Regular users of ice, speed, cocaine, and nicotine can develop dependence.
  • Users may feel dependent to function normally or cope with daily life.
  • Tolerance leads to the need for increased amounts to achieve the same effect.
  • When prescribed for conditions like ADHD or narcolepsy, people may depend/rely on stimulants to manage their condition and support functioning, and harm is more likely with non-prescribed use e.g. taking more than prescribed, taking incorrectly or mixing with other drugs.

Mixing Stimulants and Other Drugs

  • Combining stimulants with other drugs can have unpredictable and harmful consequences.
  • MAOIs combined with ice/speed can cause elevated blood pressure, leading to irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and stroke.
  • Cocaine/speed mixed with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines put the body under extreme stress and may lead to overdose.
  • Ice combined with speed or cocaine places enormous strain on the heart and body
  • Cocaine + MDMA - Risk of heart attack is increased

Polydrug Use Defined

  • Polydrug use refers to using multiple drugs simultaneously or sequentially, including illicit, legal substances, alcohol, and medications.

Getting Help

  • Seek assistance if stimulant use affects health, relationships, work, finances, or other aspects of life.
  • Contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline at 1800 250 015 for confidential advice and counselling.

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