Did I Experience Stimulant Intoxication?

Did you recently use an amphetamine-type substance, cocaine or other stimulant?

Did you experience clinically significant maladaptive behavioral or psychological changes (e.g., euphoria or affective blunting: changes in sociability: hypervigilance: interpersonal sensitivity: anxiety, tension or anger; stereotyped behaviors: impaired judgment) that developed during or shortly after, use of a stimulant?

Did you experience tachycardia (heartbeats that are too slow) or bradycardia (heartbeats that are too fast) during or shortly after stimulant use?

Did you experience pupillary dilation during or shortly after stimulant use?

Did you experience elevated or lowered blood pressure during or shortly after stimulant use?

Did you experience perspiration or chills during or shortly after stimulant use?

Did you experience nausea or vomiting during or shortly after stimulant use?

Was there evidence of weight loss during or shortly after stimulant use?

Did you experience psychomotor agitation or retardation during or shortly after stimulant use?

Did you experience muscular weakness, respiratory depression, chest pain or cardiac arrhythmias during or shortly after stimulant use?

Did you experience confusion, seizures, dyskinesias (uncontrollable muscle movements), dystonias (muscles tighten involuntarily) or coma during or shortly after stimulant use?

Can you confirm that the symptoms are not attributable to another medical condition and are not better explained by another mental disorder, including intoxication with another substance?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you experienced stimulant intoxication.

While it is unlikely that you experienced stimulant intoxication, you have been displaying some signs related to it. Stimulant intoxication is diagnosed when you are experiencing significant behavioral and psychological changes when recently exposed to a stimulant. If you are worried about your symptoms related to stimulant use, talk with your doctor. If you suspect that someone close to you has a problem with stimulant use, it may be important to address this issue in a gentle and friendly manner. Make the person realize that a visit to the doctor is essential and let the person know that he can count on you for support and guidance.

While it is unlikely that you experienced stimulant intoxication, you have been displaying some signs related to it. Drugs are often used to get high, however, with stimulants this is not always the case. Prescription stimulants are most of the time taken to be able to focus or stay awake. This is also the reason that stimulant abusers usually don’t realize that they have a problem, because their goal is to function better at work for example, not to get high or intoxicated. If you think that your stimulant use is becoming a problem, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor for the right advice and feedback.

Unfortunately, you have been displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who have stimulant intoxication. It may be essential to plan a visit to your doctor. Stimulant intoxication can occur whether you are using for the first time or chronically. Most people that experience a stimulant intoxication arrive at the hospital extremely agitated. Therefore, hospital staff will usually give the person a sedative substance. Several tests will be conducted, including an ECG and a CAT scan. The person will receive fluids to prevent dehydration. Symptoms can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Drug abuse is a serious problem that needs professional attention and treatment.