Prevent stimulant overdoses

Note: It's general advice. It is important to note that each person can react differently to different substances and that each substance has its own characteristics.

Prevent stimulant overusing and overdoses

Tips to prevent overusing and or stimulants overdoses

Avoid using alone
Start low, go slow
Avoing mixing multiple substances if possible
Test your substance(s), if possible
Prepare yourself your doses
Take some breaks and the time to eat, sleep and hydrate well

https://www.catie.ca/client-publication/safer-crack-smoking

Signs of stimulant overuse

Stiffness of the limbs, involuntary muscle contractions (spasms)
Fast or irregulate heartbeat, or chest pains
Feeling of overheating on the skin, sweating, severe headaches
Anxiety, paranoia, confusion, agitation or hallucinations

Act in case of stimulant over-use

Take the objects out of the way to preseve the person's safety.
Do not try to keep the person still, do not put anything in their mouth
Encourage the person to stop using for a time being
Try to keep the immediate environment calm and peaceful.
Find some drink to encourage the person to be hydrated.
Put some cold water washcloths on the person's neck, head and armpits.
Reassure the person in telling them that the syptoms are going to diminish and disappear shortly.

Signs of stimulants overdose

Crushing chest pains
Convulsions
Loss of consciousness or being in and out for short and frequent periods

What to do if the person shows one of many of these signs :

Call 911
If the person's heart stops, and that you're trained, start CPR

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https://www.catie.ca/sites/default/files/2021-08/CATIE-SaferSmoking-Crack-E-2020-FINAL-WEB.pdf