Mthandazo Ndlovu
The 19th of July 2019, marked the ground breaking of the first model drug and substance rehabilitation centre in Cowdray Park
The centre, which when established, will cater for all those affected by drug and substances of abuse in a professional and ethical manner, which will reduce drug, alcohol and substance abuse dependency and l am stimulated by the above happenings.
Having been stimulated by the above event, l will walk us through some prescribed medication called stimulants.
Prescription stimulants come in tablets or capsules, when they are abused they are swallowed, injected in liquid form, crushed and snorted.
Stimulants are sometimes called “uppers”, temporarily increase alertness and energy, the most commonly abused street drugs that fall into this category are cocaine and amphetamines. Some well-known brand names are Ritalin, Concerta, Biphetamine, Dexedrine and many others.
The short term effects of stimulants include exhaustion as you then become hyperactive, apathy, and depression, this is the down that follows the “up”. It is this immediate and lasting exhaustion that quickly leads the stimulant user to want the drug again. He is no longer trying to get high but trying to get “well”, that is, to feel any energy at all.
Overtime use leads to long term effects that include being addicted to stimulants. Repeated high doses of some stimulants over a short period can lead to feelings of hostility or paranoia. Such high doses may result in dangerous high body temperatures and irregular heartbeat and this may lead to overdose death.
Antidepressants are at times used in relation to the stimulants, and these include brand names like Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor and Remeron and at most are multi-coloured capsules, over time use have exhibited the following effects, insomnia, nervousness and irritability, violent thoughts and actions, agitation, suicide thoughts, hallucinations, confusion and incoherent thoughts. Withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants include crying spells, tremors, headaches, dizziness and vomiting among others.
–Mthandazo Ndlovu is a drug prevention and rehabilitation specialist. For more information and help on recovering from dependency on these substances, call or WhatsApp +263772399734 or email [email protected] and join the Rechabites in creating a drug free healthy and productive society.
