Stimulants are a broad class of drugs that increase the activity of the central nervous system and speed up messages traveling between the brain and body.
Different Types of Stimulants
- Prescription Stimulants are medications prescribed by doctors to treat hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Narcolepsy, and sometimes depression or obesity. They include Adderall, Ritalin, Provigil, and Vyvanse.
- Illicit Stimulants are not from a health care provider or regulated by the Federal Drug Administration. They include Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Ecstasy, and Synthetic Cathinones.
- Stimulants used by some throughout the day include Caffeine and Nicotine.
Stimulant Overamping
Overamping is a term for the symptoms that can come from using too much of a stimulant, which can be unpredictable and harmful. Learn more from the National Harm Reduction Coalition.
The risk of overamping is less if you:
- Stay hydrated
- Eat nutritious food
- Get plenty of sleep
- Don't use alone
- Don't mix stimulants with other substances
Symptoms of overamping include:
- Not able to sleep
- Severe headache
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Nausea/vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
- High body temperature or heavy sweating
- Tremors
- Muscle stiffness
- Agitation, restlessness, or irritability
- Extreme anxiety, panic, or paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Increased aggressiveness
Ways to help someone who is overamping
- Move the person to a safe, quiet environment
- Engage the person in positive conversation
- Cool them off by getting them to drink cool water or use ice on wrists/foreheads
- Provide them food
- Encourage them to rest
- Showers can help calm them
- Keep them hydrated through water or sports drinks
- Administer naloxone if the person is unresponsive
- To get naloxone visit: Get Maine Naloxone
Warning Signs of Stimulant Misuse
Knowing how to spot the warning signs of stimulant misuse could change or save a life. One or multiple of these signs may not mean a person is misusing stimulants; however, these are important warning signs to know:
Behavioral Symptoms
- Dishonesty such as stealing or lying to support use
- Seeking prescriptions through multiple medical appointments
- Extremely high energy levels or excitement for certain tasks
- Mood swings, agitation, or outbursts
- Unpredictable or impulsive actions
- Anxiety or Depression
- Increased confidence
Physical Symptoms
- Decrease or sudden changes in appetite
- Twitches or jitteriness
- Elevated blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- Paranoia
- Fast heart rate
- Blemishes or other skin issues
Cognitive Symptoms
- Hyperfocus
- Enhanced sensory awareness
- Racing thoughts
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
Steps to Reduce Risk of Stimulant Misuse
- Make sure you get the right medicine. Tell your health care provider about all medications you take (prescription and over the counter).
- Follow the directions and read the labels. Don't stop or change the dose of your medication on your own. If it doesn't seem to be working, talk to your health care provider.
- Know the side effects, what to expect, and what to avoid when taking the medication.
- Never mix medications without approval from your health care provider. Avoid taking stimulants with alcohol, other substances, or medications.
- Never share medications. Everyone is different and even if you have a similar medical condition, it may not be the right medication or dose for someone else.
- Safe storage is a big part of preventing medication misuse. Keeping your medications secured and out of reach takes very little time and keeps children, pets, family, and visitors safe.
- Lock all prescriptions in a cabinet, safe, or private drawer
- Keep your medications stored up and out of reach of children or pets
- Store your medications in their original containers
- Safe disposal of medications is important for unwanted, unused, or expired medications.
- Drop unused prescription medications off at a drug take back location.
- Get to know your pharmacist. They are experts on prescription stimulants and able to give helpful advice.
- Don't take medications that are expired.
- Schedule regular checkups with your doctor while taking an opioid.
Local Resources
- 211 Maine: Call, text, or visit 211 online. 211 is a free, confidential service that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services. 211 Maine is staffed by trained specialists and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Treatment Connections: Are you seeking substance use or mental health treatment? Search for treatment facilities near you and filter the results based on your needs.
Resources and Outreach Materials
- Maine Prevention Store: Free print materials and digital downloads designed to improve health and help prevent substance misuse, tobacco use, and suicide in Maine.
- Campaigns
- Bottled Up -- Addresses the misuse of prescription stimulants and risks associated with sharing medications.
- Eyes Open for ME- This campaign has information on opioid misuse. It includes signs of stimulant misuse and finding healthy ways to manage life's pressures.
- Talk They Hear You Focuses on strategies and tips for caregivers to start having conversations about substance use with children and adolescents.
- Safe Sleep Maine Includes focus on the risk of alcohol or other substance use during pregnancy and infant care.
- Information about Stimulant Misuse in Maine
- SAMHSA Prescription Stimulant Misuse Advisory A toolkit developed to address prescription stimulant misuse, including risk and protective factors for misuse as well as opportunities for prevention and screening and intervention for stimulant use.
- Maine Drug Data Hub The Maine Drug Data Hub is a collaboration between state departments, the Governor's Office, and the University of Maine to provide resources, data, and visuals to inform Mainers about overdoses and harm reduction strategies.
- Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey The Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey is a biennial survey conducted by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education. The survey monitors health behaviors and attitudes about tobacco, alcohol, substance use, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, adverse childhood experiences, and protective factors.
- Maine Law Restricting Methamphetamine Precursor Ingredients The law limiting certain low blood pressure medication and cold/allergy medications.