{"id":5737,"date":"2025-04-04T06:21:54","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T05:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/?page_id=5737"},"modified":"2025-04-04T06:21:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T05:21:54","slug":"sod-chapter-6-subchapter-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/sod-chapter-6-subchapter-2\/","title":{"rendered":"SOD Chapter 6 – Subchapter 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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6.2 Spotting stimulant use disorder, stimulant intoxication, stimulant withdrawal: how to identify the red flags<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stimulant Use Disorder (StUD) refers to a pattern of using stimulants like amphetamines or cocaine that leads to significant problems in daily life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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How to recognize stimulant use disorder?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stimulant Use Disorder (StUD)<\/strong> refers to a pattern of using stimulants like amphetamines or cocaine that leads to significant problems in daily life.

To be diagnosed, AT LEAST TWO<\/strong> of the following signs must occur within a year:

TAKING MORE<\/strong> of the stimulant or USING IT LONGER<\/strong> than was intended.

Wanting to cut down or stop using but BEING UNABLE<\/strong> to do so.

Spending a LOT OF TIME<\/strong> getting, using, or recovering from the stimulant.

Strong CRAVINGS OR URGES<\/strong> to use the stimulant.

Ongoing use despite it causing PROBLEMS AT WORK, SCHOOL, OR HOME<\/strong>.

Continuing use even when it causes RELATIONSHIP OR SOCIAL ISSUES<\/strong>.

GIVING UP IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES<\/strong> because of stimulant use.

Using the stimulant in DANGEROUS SITUATIONS<\/strong>.

Using despite knowing it\u2019s WORSENING A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH<\/strong> problem.

DEVELOPING TOLERANCE<\/strong>, needing more to feel the effects or feeling less effect with the same amount.

Experiencing WITHDRAWAL<\/strong> symptoms or using the stimulant to avoid them.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Health risks of stimulant use disorder<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stimulant use disorder can lead to a variety of serious health issues depending on how the drugs are consumed.<\/u><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who snort <\/strong>stimulants may experience chronic sinus problems, nosebleeds<\/strong>, and even a perforated nasal septum<\/strong>.<\/p>

Smoking <\/strong>stimulants often cause respiratory issues such as coughing<\/strong>, bronchitis<\/strong>, and lung infections<\/strong>.<\/p>

Injecting drugs leads to visible track marks, usually on the arms, and greatly increases the risk of HIV<\/strong>, hepatitis<\/strong>, and other infections<\/strong>.<\/p>

Users often suffer from weight loss<\/strong>, malnutrition<\/strong>, chest pain<\/strong>, and, in severe cases, heart attacks<\/strong>, strokes<\/strong>, seizures<\/strong>, or sudden death<\/strong> due to respiratory or cardiac issues.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Stimulant intoxication: key signs and symptoms<\/strong>

Stimulant intoxication occurs with recent use of a stimulant like amphetamines, cocaine, or similar substances.

This can lead to noticeable changes in behavior and mental state<\/strong>, such as:

\u2022 Feeling overly happy or emotionally numb

\u2022 Being more sociable or overly alert

\u2022 Experiencing increased anxiety, tension, or anger

\u2022 Poor judgment and repetitive behaviors may also emerge during or soon after using these substances.

In addition to behavioral changes, physical symptoms often appear<\/strong>. These may include:

\u2022 A rapid or slowed heartbeat

\u2022 Enlarged pupils

\u2022 High or low blood pressure

\u2022 Sweating or feeling unusually cold

\u2022 Nausea or vomiting

\u2022 Unexplained weight loss

\u2022 Restlessness or slowed movements

\u2022 Muscle weakness, chest pain, or irregular heartbeats

\u2022 Confusion, seizures, or even loss of consciousness

If someone exhibits two or more<\/strong> of these signs after stimulant use, they may be experiencing stimulant intoxication, which can be serious and require medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Stimulant withdrawal: what to expect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When someone stops or cuts back on using stimulants<\/strong> like cocaine, amphetamines, or similar drugs after extended use, they may experience stimulant withdrawal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This process can bring about intense sadness or dissatisfaction<\/strong>, along with several physical and emotional changes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These may start within a few hours to a few days<\/strong> after stopping use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extreme tiredness<\/p>

Disturbing, vivid dreams<\/p>

Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much<\/p>

A noticeable increase in appetite<\/p>

Feeling unusually restless or sluggish<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

These withdrawal symptoms can cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life<\/strong>, making it harder to work, socialize, or manage regular activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, these symptoms can’t be explained by any other health or mental condition, nor by withdrawal from a different substance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If someone is experiencing these signs after stopping stimulant use, it\u2019s essential to seek help and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Back to chapter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Next subchapter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

6.2 Spotting stimulant use disorder, stimulant intoxication, stimulant withdrawal: how to identify the red flags Stimulant Use Disorder (StUD) refers to a pattern of using stimulants like amphetamines or cocaine that leads to significant problems in daily life. How to recognize stimulant use disorder? Stimulant Use Disorder (StUD) refers to a pattern of using stimulants […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-sod.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rea_page_title_signed_in_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_title_signed_out_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_description_signed_in_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_description_signed_out_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_id_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_date_meta_block_field":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5737","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5737"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5737\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}