Stimulants History 1930s Benzedrine is used in inhalers

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 • • • Euphoria Increased Alertness Excitation Decreased Appetite Insomnia Restlessness

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

Long Term Physiological Effects of Stimulant Use • • 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

Cocaine Doses • Cocaine Hydrochloride: 25 mg to 100 mg • Crack: 250 mg 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 • • • 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 20 min 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