Understanding Stimulant Use and Use Disorders in a New Era

Med Clin North Am. 2022 Jan;106(1):81-97. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.08.010.

Abstract

Extending from the triple wave epidemic of opioid-related overdose deaths, a fourth wave of high mortality involving methamphetamine and cocaine use has been gathering force. This article provides a review of the published literature on stimulants including epidemiology, pharmacology, neurobiology, medical and psychiatric consequences, withdrawal management, and medical and behavioral treatments.

Keywords: Behavioral treatments; Cocaine; Epidemiology; Fentanyl; Medication treatments; Methamphetamine; Neurobiology; Pharmacology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Behavior Therapy / methods
  • Bupropion / therapeutic use
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / adverse effects*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / mortality
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / chemically induced
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / adverse effects
  • Illicit Drugs / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / chemically induced
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Methamphetamine / adverse effects*
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology
  • Mirtazapine / therapeutic use
  • Neurobiology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / chemically induced
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / epidemiology
  • Opiate Overdose / epidemiology*
  • Opiate Overdose / mortality
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / therapy*
  • Topiramate / therapeutic use
  • Transgender Persons
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Bupropion
  • Topiramate
  • Methamphetamine
  • Mirtazapine