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Stimulants, Cocaine, & Meth

What are Stimulants?

Stimulants are a type of drug that speeds up your body and your mind. People take these drugs for different reasons. They may take them to be more talkative and social, to study harder, to stay awake, and to have an energized buzz. One of the most common stimulants used in the U.S. is actually caffeine. Many people don't realize that caffeine is a drug, but it is! Other stimulants include methamphetamine (meth, speed, or crystal), cocaine, crack, Ritalin, and nicotine. 

Dangers of Stimulants

Stimulants often seem harmless when people start taking them. However, they can have many dangers and negative side effects. Stimulant abuse can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure, anxiety, anger, stomach problems, seizures, strokes, and heart attacks. The bottom line is that stimulants can be extremely dangerous and deadly. Some specific stimulants such as meth, cocaine, and crack are even more dangerous. These drugs are usually made by dealers who mix dangerous chemicals in backyard labs. Meth production produces dangerous toxic wastes that can explode. Cocaine is made by mixing the leaf of the Coca plant with acid, gasoline, or other chemicals. Crack is made by mixing cocaine with chemicals to turn it into crystals that people can smoke. All three of these drugs put dangerous chemicals into your body. 

What are Methamphetamines (meth)?

Meth is one of the most dangerous drugs you can do. Meth will dissolve a person's skin and teeth. People who use meth often have to get dentures because their teeth fall out. People who use meth also pick off their skin because they think bugs are crawling under it and they try to get them out. Meth can lead to permanent mental changes and cause people to see things that aren't there and have mood changes. Meth overdose can lead to instant death. People can and do overdose and die their first time trying meth. Additionally, meth is very addictive and people who use often can't get clean until they either go to jail or a treatment center. Meth has ruined many lives. 

Faces of Meth™

These are before and after mugshots from our friends at Multnomah County Sheriff's department that show how quickly meth can ruin someone's life and destroy their body:

Learn more about the dangers of meth at Drug Free World

Also, see how meth changes someone's body and appearance

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. It is a strong stimulant that is made by removing a chemical from the leaf of the Coca plant. It usually comes as either cocaine powder that is inhaled or in crack "rocks" that are smoked. It can also be injected, swallowed, or chewed. Cocaine is an extremely strong stimulant. It is very addictive and most users need treatment to get off of it for good. Cocaine can cause heart attacks, strokes, hallucinations (seeing things that are not real), anxiety, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats. People often take cocaine for energy when partying, to focus, to be social, or to lose weight. People also take it because they say it makes them feel strong, happy, or confident. Unfortunately, these feelings don't last and when cocaine wears off people can become angry, depressed, and upset. This leads many to seek out more cocaine which leads to addiction. Cocaine overdose can cause heart failure and instant death. 

To learn more about cocaine visit our friends at The National Institute on Drug Abuse

Dangers of Abusing Prescription Stimulants

It has become common for people to abuse stimulants that were prescribed by a doctor to treat ADHD, insomnia, and other disorders. These drugs include Ritalin & Concerta (Methylphenidate), Adderall (amphetamine salts), and Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine). Many people think that these drugs are safe because they come from a doctor. This unfortunately leads to overdose and addiction. Doctors will prescribe the right amount of a drug to treat someone based on their health, age, body size, and other factors. People will often guess wrong and take too much and end up in a hospital. 

People take prescription stimulants to study harder, have more energy, stay awake, be more outgoing, or lose weight. Unfortunately there are also dangers to taking these drugs that people don't expect. Side effects include addiction, irritability, loss of appetite, high blood pressure, and heart problems. If someone has abused these pills, it is best to talk to their doctor to get help before they experience dangerous side effects.