1. 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

2. Typical Use of Stimulants
Increase alertness
Treatment of Narcolepsy
Weight loss aid.

3. Types of Stimulants Drug How used Duration
Cocaine sniffed, inject, 20 min. to 1 hour
smoked
Amphetamines oral, injected 2 to 4 hours
Methamphetamine smoked, oral 4 to 14 hours
inject, inhaled

4. Immediate Physical and Psychological Effects of Stimulants
Euphoria
Increased Alertness
Excitation
Decreased Appetite
Insomnia
Restlessness

5. Long Term Psychological Effects of Stimulant Use
Nervousness
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Decreased Mental Ability

6. Long Term Physiological Effects of Stimulant Use
Dizziness
Tremors
Sexual impotence
Insomnia
Skin disorders
Malnutrition
Seizures
Death

7. 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.

8. Withdrawal from Stimulants
Apathy
Long periods of sleep
Irritability
Depression
Disorientation
“Crash”

9. 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.

10. Cocaine: Route of Administration
Route Duration of High
Snort to 45 minutes
IV to 20 minutes
Free-base (smoke) 5 to 10 minutes
Crack (smoke) 5 to 10 minutes

11. Cocaine Doses Cocaine Hydrochloride: 25 mg to 100 mg Crack:
250mg to 1 gram

12. 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.

13. Uses of Cocaine Used as a local anesthesia Vasoconstrictor
Psycho-stimulant:
Strong reinforcing quality leading to psychological dependence.

14. Cocaine Personality Reckless Rebellious Low tolerance for frustration
Craving for excitement
Risk-Taker
Personal or family history of depression

15. 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.

16. 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)

17. 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

18. Cocaine VS Crystal 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
Man-made
Effects last 8 to 24 hours
50% of the drug is removed from the body in 12 hours
No medical use