Health, relationships, careers and lives are all affected, sometimes destroyed. Commonly used substances Crystal methamphetamine and cocaine are two of the most commonly used substance with members of the HIV community. Characteristics shared by cocaine and amphetamine intoxication include grandiosity, hypervigilance, paranoia, agitation, impaired judgment and impaired social or occupational functioning. Physical symptoms that might be evident are rapid heart beat, dilated pupils, elevated blood pressure, perspiration or chills, nausea, tactile hallucinations. Although cocaine use and amphetamine intoxication often look similar to the outside observer, each has distinct characteristics.
Cocaine intoxication is much briefer than amphetamine intoxication, requiring more frequent dosing.
Crystal may lead to more focused activity with the user intensely involved in projects, whereas cocaine may create more fragmented and scattered attention. Withdrawal from these stimulants is also similar. Symptoms of withdrawal include fatigue, insomnia or hypersomnia, agitation, depression, irritability and anxiety. At times depression from stimulant withdrawal may be so severe that one feels suicidal. If this occurs, clients should seek psychiatric or medical attention, or both.