Stimulants

Amphetamine-type substances and misused stimulant medicines that speed up the nervous system.

Stimulants increase alertness and energy and reduce appetite and sleep. They include illicit amphetamine-type substances and prescribed medicines taken outside medical direction.

Effects fade and are often followed by a low period, which encourages repeated dosing. Sleep loss and weight loss build up quickly.

When it is an emergency

Chest pain
Seizure
Very high temperature
Severe agitation, violence or loss of contact with reality

Emergency guidance

Signs worth noticing

Long periods without sleep followed by heavy crashes
Marked weight loss
Agitation, suspiciousness or rapid speech
Financial strain out of proportion to income

Real risks

Heart rhythm problems and high blood pressure
Psychotic symptoms with heavy use
Severe mood disturbance during the crash
Dental and skin problems

When to seek help

Sleep and appetite are significantly disturbed
Suspiciousness or hallucinations appear
Use is escalating

What treatment involves

Medical and psychiatric assessment
Psychological therapy, particularly structured behavioural approaches
Treatment of sleep, mood and nutrition problems
Structured programme where use is heavy

If you are the family

Avoid confrontation during periods of agitation
Seek professional help if suspiciousness or hallucinations appear
Support sleep and nutrition during early recovery

What recovery looks like

Regular follow-up with a clinician or counsellor
Relapse-prevention planning that names specific triggers
Peer or community support where it is available and comfortable
Family involvement, when the person consents to it
Attention to sleep, nutrition, work and daily routine

Questions to ask any centre

What kind of assessment will be done before any treatment starts?
Who provides medical care here, and what are their qualifications?
Is withdrawal expected in this case, and how will it be managed?
What therapies are offered, and how often?
What does the fee include, and what is charged separately?
What happens after discharge, and for how long?

Common questions

This guide is general education, not medical advice, and it cannot tell you what is happening in a specific person. Only a qualified clinician can assess that.