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Note:Â 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.
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Prevent stimulant overusing and overdoses
Tips to prevent overusing and or stimulants overdoses
- Avoid using aloneÂ
- 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 wellÂ
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 headachesÂ
- 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.Â
Signs of stimulants overdoseÂ
- 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 CPRÂ
This content was originally published by CATIE, Canadaâs source for HIV and hepatitis C information.
CATIE also distributes documents created by other organizations. For these documents, permission to reprint or edit must be obtained from the originating organization(s). For more information, contact CATIE at info@catie.ca.
https://www.catie.ca/sites/default/files/2021-08/CATIE-SaferSmoking-Crack-E-2020-FINAL-WEB.pdf
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