Stimulants—including cocaine, methamphetamine, and other amphetamine-type substances—are among the most common illicit psychoactive substances used around the world and in British Columbia. Stimulants are increasingly being detected in illicit drug toxicity deaths and are at risk of being adulterated with fentanyl and other highly potent opioid analogues.

The BC Centre on Substance Use has developed a practice update to provide an overview of evidence-based treatment options and introduce new evidence and approaches relevant for those providing care for individuals who use illicit stimulants. This does not represent a comprehensive guideline on management of stimulant use disorder and associated conditions.

Acute care offers a critical opportunity to engage and provide evidence-based care to patients who use substances and to reduce morbidity and mortality. Lack of knowledge about substance use and substance use disorder care impacts the treatment that patients in acute care settings receive.

The following resources provide advice for how to engage with and provide care for people with stimulant use disorder.

Additional resources for providing care for people who use substances in acute care settings can be found here.

 

BC Centre on Substance Use

400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9


E: [email protected] | T: (778) 945-7616 | F: (604) 428-5183

24/7 Addiction Clinician Support Line: (778) 945-7619

Online Addiction Medicine Diploma: [email protected].


website logos footer

Copyright © 2023, BC Centre on Substance Use