Overamping: Stimulant Overdose
PUBLISHED ON 07/12/24
Have you ever felt too uncomfortable or weird (not in a nice way) after taking stims or uppers like crack, cocaine, or meth? You could have been overamping. Overamping is specific to “overdosing” on stimulants. Using the word “overamping” helps us differentiate from an opioid overdose. Overamps differ in how they happen, what they look like, and how to respond.
You know your body and your baseline best. What might look uncomfortable to some might feel normal — or even good! — to you! If you do start to feel too uncomfortable, noticing and naming what is going on is an important first step to managing your experience.
When people talk about overdose, they are usually talking about respiratory depression, which is slowed or shallow breathing. Respiratory depression is usually caused by opioids, or any combination of mixing benzos, alcohol and opioids (“downers”), and is extremely dangerous. These kinds of overdoses can often be reversed with naloxone. Overamping is different because while it can be a really uncomfortable experience, it isn’t usually lifethreatening. There’s no medical antidote like naloxone, but there are ways that you can manage your experience and keep yourself safe.
How can I prevent overamping?
What causes overamping? • • • • • •
Taking a higher dose than you’re used to, maybe because you aren’t sure of the strength or purity of your substance of choice Having a lowered tolerance after a period of not using, such as after being incarcerated, detoxing, or simply taking a break A lack of sleep, especially after multiple days of little to no rest Using in an unfamiliar environment or with unfamiliar people Using a different route of administration than you are accustomed to Feeling sick, which makes your body respond to drugs in different ways
What are physical and mental signs of overamping? Mental Symptoms
• • • • • • • • •
Physical Symptoms
•
Confusion • Restlessness • Hypervigilance • Intense panic • Hallucinations/delusions • Extreme paranoia Extreme agitation • Increased aggressiveness • Suicidal ideation
Jerking movements An inability to stay still Chest pain Irregular breathing High body temperature Passing out (but still breathing) Uncontrollable teeth grinding Racing heartbeats
Get enough sleep and take breaks!
Sleep is the best medicine. Lack of sleep increases the chance of overamping because even without drugs, little to no sleep can severely impact you mentally and physically.
Stay hydrated and feed yourself.
Drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutrientdense meals can help your body feel better overall.
Start low and slow.
Starting with a smaller dose when you get a new bag can help you safely gauge what feels like the right amount for you. Same goes for if you’re using somewhere new or with new people — reducing your dose and taking it slow can make it easier to check in with yourself about how you feel.
Pay attention to your dose.
If you have a scale, weighing out your stuff can help you notice if there’s a dose that consistently makes you feel uncomfortable and what dose feels just right. Remember, the drug supply is often unreliable and potency can change from batch to batch, seller to seller, and city to city. What looks like the same dose can feel different depending on where it came from and how you take it.
Take care of your body, however you can.
This could look like taking a shower, taking a walk, or eating fruits and veggies.
What do I do when someone is overamping and it is not an emergency? Most of the time overamping is not a medical emergency. Anxiety and mental discomfort are common while overamping, but you don’t have to sit through your discomfort. Try different strategies for calming and see what works for you — some of these techniques will work better at different