Stimulant Use Disorders

On this page

Stimulants Overview - Buzz Basics

  • Common Types:
    • Cocaine
    • Amphetamines (e.g., Methamphetamine, MDMA/Ecstasy)
    • Methylphenidate
    • Synthetic cathinones ("Bath salts")
  • Core Mechanism: ↑ synaptic Dopamine (DA), Norepinephrine (NE), Serotonin (5-HT).
    • Cocaine: Blocks reuptake of DA, NE, 5-HT.
    • Amphetamines: ↑ release & block reuptake of DA, NE.
  • Key Effects: Euphoria, ↑ alertness, ↓ appetite, sympathetic activation.
  • Epidemiology: Rising trend globally and in India, especially among youth.

    ⭐ Formication (sensation of insects crawling on/under skin) is a common tactile hallucination in chronic cocaine/amphetamine use. Neurotransmitters and SUDs: Brain regions and affected drugsoka

Intoxication & Overdose - Highs & Hazards

  • Intoxication (Sympathomimetic Toxidrome):
    • Presents with ↑SNS activity. 📌 Mnemonic: "MATHS" (Mydriasis, Agitation/Arrhythmia, Tachycardia/Tremors, Hypertension/Hyperthermia, Seizures/Sweating).
    • CNS: Euphoria, agitation, psychosis, seizures, hyperthermia (can exceed 40°C).
    • CVS: Tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias, chest pain (MI risk).
    • Pupils: Mydriasis (dilated). Skin: Diaphoresis.
  • Overdose Hazards (Life-Threatening):
    • Cardiovascular: MI, aortic dissection, stroke.
    • Neurological: Status epilepticus, intracranial hemorrhage.
    • Metabolic: Severe hyperthermia → rhabdomyolysis → AKI.
  • Emergency Management:
    • ABCs, IV access, cardiac monitoring.
    • Benzodiazepines (e.g., IV Lorazepam): First-line for agitation, seizures, tachycardia, hypertension.
    • Aggressive cooling for hyperthermia.
    • ⚠️ Avoid pure beta-blockers (risk of unopposed alpha-stimulation causing paradoxical hypertension/coronary vasoconstriction).

    ⭐ In cocaine-associated chest pain, benzodiazepines and nitrates are key. Avoid beta-blockers initially.

Toxidrome Comparison Chart

Withdrawal & Chronic Use - Crash & Complications

  • Stimulant Withdrawal ("Crash"):
    • Symptoms: Intense dysphoria, fatigue, anhedonia, ↑ appetite, vivid dreams.
    • Psychomotor changes (retardation/agitation), insomnia/hypersomnia.
    • Timeline: Peaks 2-4 days, resolves ~1 week. High relapse risk.
  • Chronic Use Complications:
    • Cardiovascular: MI, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, HTN, aortic dissection.
    • Neurological: Stroke, seizures, movement disorders, cognitive impairment.
    • Psychiatric: Psychosis (paranoid delusions, formication - "meth bugs"), anxiety, depression.

      ⭐ Formication (sensation of insects crawling on skin) is a classic tactile hallucination in chronic stimulant users, often leading to skin picking.

    • Dental: "Meth Mouth" - severe decay (xerostomia, bruxism, poor hygiene).
    • Infectious (IV use): HIV, Hepatitis B/C, endocarditis.
    • Other: Malnutrition, skin excoriations, nasal septal perforation (snorting). Stimulant effects on neurotransmitters and organ systemsoka

Diagnosis & Management - Spotting & Stopping

  • Diagnosis (DSM-5): Pattern of use with ≥2 of 11 criteria in 12 months (e.g., impaired control, social impairment, risky use, tolerance, withdrawal). Severity: Mild (2-3), Moderate (4-5), Severe (≥6).
  • Screening: Urine drug screen (UDS), clinical interview (e.g., ASSIST, DAST-10).
  • Management:
    • Psychosocial interventions are cornerstone.
      • Contingency Management (CM): Reinforces abstinence.
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
    • Supportive care for withdrawal ("crash").

⭐ Currently, no FDA-approved pharmacotherapy exists for stimulant use disorder; management relies heavily on behavioral therapies.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Stimulants (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines) primarily ↑ dopamine.
  • Intoxication: Euphoria, agitation, mydriasis, tachycardia, hypertension, formication ("cocaine bugs").
  • Withdrawal: Dysphoria, fatigue, ↑ appetite, psychomotor changes, vivid unpleasant dreams.
  • Complications: Myocardial infarction, stroke, seizures, nasal septal perforation (cocaine).
  • Acute Intoxication Management: Benzodiazepines for agitation/seizures; AVOID beta-blockers (unopposed alpha risk).
  • Withdrawal Management: Supportive care; no specific FDA-approved pharmacotherapy for dependence.

Practice Questions: Stimulant Use Disorders

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which of the following is NOT a diagnostic criterion for drug dependence?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Stimulant Use Disorders

1/1

A patient of delirium tremens will have features of _____kalemia, hypomagenesemia, hypovolemia and hypophosphatemia

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

A patient of delirium tremens will have features of _____kalemia, hypomagenesemia, hypovolemia and hypophosphatemia

hypo

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial