Cocaine, Amphetamines and Other Chemical Uppers...

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Cocaine, Amphetamines and Other Chemical
Uppers...

• the right drug for the right times?

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Stimulants of Varying Strengths
other amphetamines
methamphetamine
gt
cocaine
gt
gt
caffeine
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General Effects of Stimulants

• Release of excitatory neurotransmitters
• norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin
• energy, exhilaration, perceived self-confidence
• Mimics stress response
• Mood elevation
• Tolerance
• Withdrawal (AKA crashing)
• Addiction (especially methamphetamine and cocaine)

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Stimulants and Addiction
Feelings of energy and exhilaration
Feelings of lethargy and withdrawal
Use of stimulants as coping strategy
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Methods of Administration

• Oral (beverages tablets, pills, capsules)
• Topical
• Inhalation / Snorting
• Intravenous injection (speed runs)
• Smoking
• freebase
• crack

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Medical Uses

• Cocaine
• local anesthetic
• Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine
• pep pill narcolepsy / appetite suppressant
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• ADHD

• Caffeine
• pep pill
• Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
• appetite suppressant
• Ephedrine
• asthma treatment
• Pseudoephedrine
• nasal decongestant

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Anti-Depressants a behavioral relative

• MAO Inhibitors
• interfere with breakdown of excitatory NTs
• Tricyclics
• interfere with reuptake of excitatory NTs
• Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (e.g., Prozac)
• interfere with reuptake of serotonin

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Adverse Effects -- Cocaine

• General feelings of restlessness, irritability,
  anxiety and mood swings
• Malnutrition severe weight loss
• Sexual dysfunction
• Cocaine psychosis
• paranoia
• delusions
• formication
• Kindling effect
• Health risks associated with administration
  (snorting, injection, smoking)

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Adverse Effects -- Amphetamines

• General feelings of restlessness, irritability,
  anxiety and mood swings
• Malnutrition severe weight loss
• Sexual dysfunction
• Toxic psychosis
• Withdrawal symptoms
• severe depression
• delusions hallucinations
• fatigue
• Health risks associated with administration
  (injection, speedballing, smoking)

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The Xanthine Compounds
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Caffeine -- the universal eye opener

• Caffeine dependence
• psychological dependence on the use of caffeine
  to stimulate the mind body processes (habit)

• Caffeinism
• condition of chronic poisoning due to
  overindulgence of caffeine

Bottom line the equivalent of 3 cups or less per
day is not likely to lead to any
adverse reactions to caffeine
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Other Key Terms --

• Flash or Rush
• Look-alikes / Act-alikes
• biphetamines (black beauties)
• methcathinone (cat)