Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
Stimulant use disorder is the continued use of stimulants despite harm to the user
This can include negative health effects, damaged relationships, and difficulties in day-to-day functioning. Stimulant use disorder can have significant negative health consequences, including psychiatric problems, cardiac events (arrhythmias, acute coronary syndrome), seizures, coma, and death.
Prescription stimulant misuse includes:
- Using medication without a prescription of one’s own, even if with therapeutic intent
- Using medication in greater amounts, more often, or longer than prescribed
- Using medication in any way other than directed by a prescriber (e.g., non-medical use)
- Using medication for recreational purposes or without therapeutic intent
The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 3.5 million Americans over age 12 had a stimulant use disorder. In addition, overdose fatalities involving stimulants have been rising over the past 20 years; more recently, overdose deaths involving stimulants rose from 12,122 in 2015 to 57,497 in 2022.
Screening for Stimulant Use Disorder (StUD)
There is no recommended tool for StUD screening. Some screens include:
Helpful information about screening can also be found on the Screening for Opioid Use Disorder page, as there are similarities.
There is no current standard of care for pharmacologic treatment of stimulant use disorder
There are some current efforts to examine the use of prescription stimulants to treat stimulant use disorder. Some other options are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Contingency Management
- Motivational Interviewing
- Community Reinforcement Approach
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Life in the Fast Lane: Amphetamine Poisoning
Podcast with practical information on the care of patients with an acute overdose. A short quiz on the topic is included on the webpage as well.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
Overdose Prevention: Stimulant Overamping
For patients and providers; practical information regarding stimulant “overamping” / overdose focused on prevention, recognition, and response.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Risk Reduction & Overdose Prevention – Cocaine
General information about how to reduce the risks of cocaine use.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
GoodRx Health: Stimulant Use Disorder
Comprehensive information with links to resources.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
NYC: Safety Tips for People who Use Stimulants
Harm reduction pamphlet for people who are using stimulants / illicit stimulants
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
SAMHSA: Know the Risks of Using Drugs
Comprehensive information with links to resources from SAMHSA pertaining to adult drug use.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
SAMHSA: Prescription Stimulant Misuse and Prevention Among Youth and Young Adults
This advisory offers information on the prevalence of stimulant misuse and opportunities for prevention.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
SAMHSA: Preventing Prescription Drug Misuse – Data Resources
This 2023 compilation of data sources was developed for epidemiologists, researchers, practitioners, and others in the substance misuse prevention field to support communities seeking to address the non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD).
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
NASTAD (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors): Stimulant Safety – Getting Amped Up to Reduce Harms When Using Stimulants
This resource provides an overview of stimulants and aims to educate individuals and organizations that provide services to people who use methamphetamine and other stimulants.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
Stimulant Use: Drug Policy Alliance
This report from the Drug Policy Alliance convening includes recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and risk reduction, social service, medical, and treatment providers.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
CDC: Stimulant Overdose Prevention
This page from the CDC highlights what stimulants are, their effects, treatment, and a 24-page guide answering key questions on stimulants in the context of the overdose epidemic in the U.S.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder
NIH: Amphetamine Toxicity
This resource explores the management of amphetamine toxicity, including but not limited to, the dynamics of both acute and chronic amphetamine use and their impacts, symptoms of amphetamine toxicity, and emphasis on collaboration and communication among interprofessional teams.
Stimulant Misuse and Stimulant Use Disorder