ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the symptoms and signs of stimulant dependence and withdrawal. Stimulants are psychoactive drugs that produce a variety of effects by enhancing the activity of the peripheral and central nervous systems. Some notable stimulants with high potential for recreational use are: amphetamine, caffeine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methylenedioxypyrovalerone, mephedrone, methamphetamine, catha edulis, cocaine and nicotine. ICD-10 has a separate category for mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cocaine; however, diagnostic criteria for acute intoxication due to use of cocaine and cocaine withdrawal state are virtually identical with the corresponding categories for the category of other stimulants. Caffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid substance of the methyl-xanthine class found in numerous plant species worldwide, and is the most frequently consumed central nervous stimulant in the world. Caffeine can have both positive and negative health effects and has been the subject of more scientific study than any other food ingredient.
