People who abuse stimulant drugs often do so to improve mental and physical performance, increase productivity, reduce appetite or produce a sense of exhilaration, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Although these effects are desirable, dangerous effects including paranoia, hallucinations, convulsions, suicidal or homicidal behavior, cardiovascular collapse and even death also can occur with stimulant abuse. Those who learn to recognize the warning signs of stimulant drug abuse can spot when a friend or loved one may have a problem and help them seek treatment.
Manic Behavior
Many people who abuse stimulant drugs display unusually elated, animated, hyperactive and manic behavior. This may include talking very quickly and seeming as if they are constantly in motion. Restlessness, poor attention span, insomnia or extended wakefulness also may occur as a result of this manic behavior.
Poor Appetite
Many stimulants suppress the desire to eat, and often cause subsequent weight loss. Although poor appetite or weight loss can be associated with a number of situations, people who display other signs of stimulant abuse in addition to a poor appetite or weight loss may have a problem.
Change in Appearance
Some people who abuse stimulant medications let their physical appearance slide, not spending as much time on personal hygiene or showing interest in how they look, because their focus is solely on obtaining the drug and getting high. This warning sign also may occur when a person abuses other drugs or has a problem with alcohol.
Physical
Stimulants cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and may dilate pupils. People who snort stimulant drugs may have nasal congestion or damage to the mucous membranes of the nose, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other physical effects of stimulant abuse include headaches, flushed skin, excessive sweating, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal cramps and tremors, explains the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Psychological
Some people become unusually agitated, hostile, paranoid, aggressive or panicky while abusing stimulants. In severe cases, hallucinations and even homicidal or suicidal tendencies also may occur, warns the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Tangible Evidence
Finding drug paraphernalia also is a sign the person is abusing drugs. Those who abuse prescription stimulant medications may have prescription containers belonging to other people. Those who have a legitimate prescription for a stimulant medication may go through their own prescriptions much more quickly than they should, or seem to constantly “lose” or misplace their prescription and seek new prescriptions frequently. In addition to prescription bottles, other stimulant drug paraphernalia may include pipes, mirrors, razor blades and scales. Many stimulant drug abusers will claim that these items do not belong to them if they are trying to cover up their drug problem, but the presence of drug paraphernalia is always a red flag that the person most likely is abusing drugs.
