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What are stimulants?
Stimulants increase activity in the nervous system. They include cocaine, methamphetamine, and certain prescription medicines. A prescribed medicine used under medical supervision is different from nonmedical use. Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant with high addiction potential. Increased energy or alertness can come with dangerous effects on the body and behavior.
How they can affect health
Cocaine can raise heart rate and blood pressure and can cause serious events including heart attack, stroke, and seizures. People may experience anxiety, agitation, or paranoia. Risks vary with the substance, other drugs involved, and individual health; a person does not need a long history of use to require emergency care.
What the statistics tell us
U.S. overdose deaths involved cocaine in 2023, according to a CDC report published in 2025.
U.S. overdose deaths involved psychostimulants with abuse potential in 2023. This category consists primarily of methamphetamine.
These categories may overlap with each other and with opioid deaths. They are not separate totals to add, and do not necessarily describe deaths caused by one substance alone.
What can addiction look like?
Warning patterns include strong urges to use, repeated unsuccessful efforts to stop, and continued use despite worsening health or daily-life problems.
With methamphetamine, sleep disruption and changes in mood or behavior can accompany use. These observations have other possible causes, so they should start a conversation and evaluation rather than a label. A family might notice repeated missed commitments or plans to stop that do not hold.
When to get urgent help
Call 911 for chest pain, a seizure, severe overheating, loss of consciousness, or difficulty breathing after drug use. Naloxone does not reverse stimulant toxicity. However, opioids may also be involved: if overdose is suspected, give naloxone if available even when the substance is unknown, and follow emergency dispatcher instructions. Do not delay medical care while trying to identify the drug.
What getting help can involve
Treatment may include behavioral approaches such as contingency management, which uses structured incentives to support treatment goals, and cognitive behavioral therapy. A provider should also assess medical and mental health needs. Recovery can involve continued care, practical support, and family involvement. An individual assessment helps determine the appropriate level of care; a website cannot select that level for someone.
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