This group of substances enhances or increases central nervous system activity. They are popular because they may make people feel less tired, more energetic, more self-confident, and less hungry. They are often used to reduce weight and to help people stay awake for work. If too much of the stimulant is taken, then the person may experience psychosis, become anxious, irritable, suspicious, panicky, and/or threatening to others.
Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS)
Levels of use
According to the 2004 NHS:
- 6.5% of 14-19 year olds reported that they had tried an ATS
- 4.5% of 14-19 year olds reported use of an ATS in the previous year.
Amphetamine
- Found in prescription substances (such as those used for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD]) and included in some diet pills
- Commonly known as 'speed', 'goee', 'whizz'.
Methamphetamine
- Very strong form of ATS commonly known 'ice', 'base', 'shabu', 'paste', 'ox blood', 'snot', 'gunk' or 'crystal meth'
- Associated with many problem behaviours such as violence (including sexual violence), extreme risk taking (eg being on top of buildings, trying to fly), and in sex work (eg to keep the sex worker alert and awake and able to see more clients)
- They may be taken orally as tablets or in liquid form, smoked, snorted, or injected.
Cocaine - levels of use
According to the 2004 NHS, 1.9% of 14-19 year olds reported trying cocaine and 1.0% had used cocaine in the previous year.
- Cocaine is produced from coca leaves
- It is a powerful stimulant used to induce feelings of well being
- In the powder form, it is typically snorted or injected
- They may be taken orally as tablets or, in liquid form, smoked, snorted, or injected
- Due to the short duration of action, one needs to use cocaine more often to maintain intoxication. Subsequently, the number of injections increases and so too do the risks.
MDMA (ecstasy) - levels of use
In the 2001 NHS, yearly use of MDMA amongst the 14-19 year old age group was 6.25% which subsequently dropped to 4.3% in the 2004 NHS.
- This substance is a type of amphetamine (the last two initials - 'MA' - stand for Methamphetamine) which has both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects
- Users have no way of knowing what the substance is mixed with and possible effects
- Commonly called 'love drug' 'e's' or 'ekkies'. Its use is strongly associated with clubbing.
Other "designer" substances
The term designer drug covers a range of synthetically produced substances, which typically have stimulant and/or hallucinogenic effects. There are a huge number of these substances, for example, Ketamine (Special K, Liquid Ecstasy) and Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) (Grevious Bodily Harm). New substances are regularly becoming available. Some of these substances come from tranquilisers used on animals.
Effects of psychostimulants - ATS
Short term effects
- Highly stimulating, leading to an excited state, increased activity, and decreased appetite.
At high doses
- Inability to sleep
- Tremors
- Irregular breathing
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Heart arrhythmia
- Collapse
- Convulsions
- Elevated blood pressure
- Can become aggressive and lose touch with reality.
Cocaine
Use can result in a toxic reaction that may include a panic-like state with irregular heartbeats and seizures.
Longer term effects
- Dependence
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased anxiety and irritability
- Depression
- Other mental disorders
- Skin irritations
- Poor nutrition
- Feeling suspicious and distrustful of others for no reason - paranoia
- Some may experience hallucinations
Special considerations
- Mental health concerns - a severe mental disturbance may result from a single high dose or from taking high doses over time. The symptoms can include becoming fearful and suspicious, hearing voices, and hallucinations. It is similar to paranoid schizophrenia. If the person does not already have this mental disorder, the symptoms usually decrease when the use of the stimulants ceases.
- Pregnancy - stimulant use during pregnancy and when breast-feeding can make the newborn irritable. Use during pregnancy can affect the development of the unborn, and has been linked with bleeding, premature labour and miscarriage.
- Taking with other substances - some people become aggressive when mixing amphetamines and cocaine with other substances, including alcohol. Individuals may take alcohol or hypnosedatives with stimulants to reduce unwanted side effects of the stimulants (such as to reduce anxiety and to prevent insomnia).
Signs of withdrawal
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Strong hunger
- Depression
- Suicidal feelings
- Disrupted sleep
- Irritability
- Fear
- Nausea and Vomiting
Withdrawal from stimulants may be complicated if the person has been taking other substances, such as hypnosedatives and alcohol.
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Working with Young People with Alcohol or Other Drug Issues: A self-paced learning package Published: 2006 Funded by NSW Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Council. Written & compiled by Kristy Delaney, YAPA, and Matt Stubbs & John Howard, Ted Noffs Institute. Additional material by Nick Manning, YAPA, & by Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. Opinions are the author's.
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
