You can feel the effects of stimulants within seconds to hours and sometimes the effects can last days. Taking too much can lead to something called stimulant poisoning, also known as over-amping. This can be very dangerous and even deadly. 

Often, people don't know what's really in the substance they use. A substance bought illegally could have stimulants it in without you knowing. This can cause a stimulant poisoning. 

Signs of stimulant poisoning (over-amping): 

• Feeling really scared or panicked 
• Seeing things that aren’t real (hallucinations) 
• Trouble breathing 
• Vomiting 
• Having seizures 
• Passing out 
• Thinking people are out to get you (paranoia) 
• Hot and sweaty skin 
• Fast heartbeat 
• Bad headaches or dizziness 
• Chest pain 
• Feeling confused 
• Acting restless, aggressive, or unpredictable 

• Make sure it's safe to help. If you do not feel safe, move to a safe location and call 911. 
• If the person is conscious/awake and it is safe to stay with them, remain calm and try these steps: 
  • Offer them something cold to drink. 
  • Do not put them in a cold shower or bath. 
  • If they are confused or scared, try to keep them calm. 
  • If they are seeing or hearing things that aren't real, talk to them gently using short sentences. Be empathetic and validate their feelings. 
  • If the person becomes dangerous, call 911. 
• If the person is unconscious/passed out: 
  • Call 911 right away. 
  • Put them in the recovery position (lying down on their side). 
  • Check the person's heart rate and breathing. If their heart stopped, someone trained should do CPR. 
  • If they are unconscious and you are unsure, give them naloxone.  
  • Naloxone does not treat stimulant poisoning, but it helps if opioids are mixed in. Naloxone won't hurt them if they haven't taken opioids. 
  • Stay with them until help arrives.

Long-term health risks of stimulants are variable and can be very severe. They can include: 

• Mental health issues, like anxiety and depression  
• Sleep disorders 
• Aggression and anger 
• Extreme changes in mood 
• Suspicion and paranoia (distrust of others) 
• Losing touch with reality (hallucinations, delusions or psychosis) 
• Lung, nose and breathing problems 
• Heart problems, like a heart attack or stroke 
• Stomach problems 
• Substance-use disorder, which may involve: 
  • Difficulty completing duties at work, school, or home 
  • Giving up hobbies and other activities 
  • Using more and more over time, even when you didn’t plan to 
  • Being unable to cut down or control stimulant use 
  • Spending too much money on stimulants 
• A variety of other health problems 

If you use stimulants, here are ways to lower the risks:  

• Use clean tools – sterile supplies are available through our Needle Syringe Program.  
• Ensure needles and sharps are safely disposed of using Safe Needle Handling practices. 
• Store Drugs Safely to prevent poisoning accidents. 
• Don’t use stimulants alone – have someone nearby or ask a friend to check in.  
• If using substances with others, don't use at the same time.  
• Use test strips to make sure the substance is what you think it is.   
• Drink lots of water and take breaks to cool off from activities that heat up your body.   
• Know yourself and changes in your tolerance level. After not using stimulants for a while, your tolerance can be lower. Do not use the same amount as before and start with smaller amounts.  
• Avoid mixing stimulants with other substances or alcohol.