Stimulants, Adolescent Use of

Major Stimulant Drugs

The major stimulant drugs are cocaine (such as freebase and “crack”), amphetamines (e.g., Dexedrine, Benzedrine), amphetamine-like products (Preludin or Ritalin), methamphetamines (methedrine, “speed,” “crystal,” “ice,” “crank”), MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as Ecstasy or X), and two widely used and legal stimulants, caffeine and nicotine. Cocaine, despite its different chemical structure, operates in a way similar to other stimulants. For example, both cocaine and amphetamines increase the action of dopamine, although amphetamines stimulate its release, whereas cocaine primarily blocks its reuptake. Amphetamines remain in the blood and brain longer than cocaine, and most have more peripheral sympathomimetic (“electric”) effects than cocaine. Methamphetamines are extremely potent synthetic drugs, which chemically resemble amphetamines but are stronger. Ecstasy, the most popular designer drug, typically used by young people at dance clubs, bars, and all-night dance parties, exerts an amphetamine-like action. It is a type of amphetamine and shares properties of both hallucinogens and amphetamines. The drug causes the user to feel enhanced communication or intimacy and sensory stimulation, coupled with an up-all-night amphetamine rush (Sussman & Ames, 2001). Methylphenidate and amphetamine (Ritalin and Adderall) are current prescription drugs used to treat persons who suffer from ADHD and narcolepsy. When used as prescribed, they can help people sustain concentration and energy levels. When misused (e.g., referred to as “R-ball” or “kiddie cocaine,” among other slang names), these drugs can lead to a subjective sense of euphoria, agitation, tremors, hypertension, and even paranoid delusions.

Consequences of Use

Stimulant use may cause many negative effects on a person's physical, psychological, and social health; their effects can be acute (resulting from a single dose or a series of doses) or chronic (resulting from long-term use). Acute effects vary with different drugs and may include headaches, mood swings, unpredictable rage, chest pain, or heart failure. Over time, chronic drug users may suffer from weight loss, skin disorders, fever, convulsions, high blood pressure, depression, paranoia, blackouts, suicidal tendencies, coma, and even death. Chronic Ecstasy use may cause damage to serotonergic receptors such that one is no longer able to maintain a sense of pleasure. The toll of drug use can be especially great on teenagers. Research has shown that teenage drug use may disrupt many critical developmental tasks of adolescence and young adulthood and may lead to drug-related crime, impaired relationships with family and friends, poor achievement in school or college, and job instability (Sussman, Dent, & Stacy, 1999).

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