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Key Points
Background
Î Rates of stimulant use disorders (StUD) are rising, as are stimulant
potency and rates of stimulant use in combination with opioids.
These factors have contributed to overdose death rates increasing
three-fold for cocaine and twelve-fold for other stimulants—including
methamphetamine, amphetamine, and prescription stimulants—in the
past ten years.
Î Drug overdose deaths involving stimulants (cocaine and
psychostimulants) rose from 12,122 in 2015 to 53,495 in 2021*.
Î Beyond overdose deaths, StUD can cause a range of serious and
long-term health problems, including cardiac, psychiatric, dental,
and nutritional complications. Injection stimulant use increases the
risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), viral hepatitis,
and other infectious diseases. The stable or rising availability of
stimulants, low prices, and potential contamination of stimulants with
fentanyl are expected to exacerbate risks.
Î Taken together, these factors have propelled StUD and stimulant use
to an urgent health crisis. This guideline aims to assist clinicians with
the prevention and treatment of StUD.
Î This guideline focuses on the identification, diagnosis, treatment, and
promotion of recovery for patients with StUD, stimulant intoxication,
and stimulant withdrawal.
Î It also includes recommendations related to screening for risky
stimulant use and secondary and tertiary prevention of StUD.
* https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
Recommendation Grading
Certainty of Evidence Strength of Recommendation
H High certainty S Strong Recommendation
M Moderate certainty
C
Conditional Recommendation
L Low certainty W Weak Recommendation
VL Very low certainty
CC Clinical consensus
