Stimulant Injecting Harm Reduction

People who inject stimulant type drugs are likely to inject more often which could lead to more risks such as re-using equipment or sharing injecting equipment.

Most stimulant drugs are short acting meaning that people tend to re-dose frequently because the effects don’t last long. This could mean that people inject a number of times throughout the day which can result in people running out of new and sterile injecting equipment and reusing or sharing equipment.

If you injecting stimulant type drugs you should plan ahead and ask for enough needles, cookers, filters, water, injecting information and condoms at their needle exchange. Don’t be afraid to discuss your use of stimulants at your local needle exchange.

It is safer not to use drugs at all and injecting drugs increases the risks. If you choose to inject stimulant type drugs, please see below advice.

Harm reduction advice for injecting stimulants:

Start low and go slow - always start with a small test dose to see how you react to the drug and inject slowly.
Cook up with sterile water provided by needle exchanges. Substances should be fully dissolved before injecting - citric may not be needed with stimulants.
Don’t reuse the same needle. Needles become blunt after being used once. If you don’t hit a vein the first time, use a new needle until you inject successfully.
Injecting can leave wounds which take some time to heal. Place a plaster over these sites and try to not use them to inject.
Always rotate injecting sites.
Avoid using with other drugs including alcohol and prescription medication.
Use your own injecting equipment. Sharing injecting equipment increases the risk of getting blood borne viruses like HIV.
Stay hydrated and try to drink a pint of water an hour.
Use in trusted company, never use alone.
Improving injecting technique can reduce discomfort, vein damage and the risk of getting blood borne viruses. Safer injecting advice is available from needle exchange services.
When injecting stimulants the urge to share needles is usually strongest after you have used.
Ask for free condoms at your needle exchange, carry condoms with you at all times, particularly when you know you will be using. Use condoms every time you have sex and get tested regularly for HIV and other STIs. Testing is free in public clinics.

Overdose
It is possible to overdose on stimulant drugs. Risks increase if used as part of a polydrug combination with other drugs. Signs of an overdose are overheating, blue lips or limbs, fast breathing or difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, seizures, shaking, paranoia, psychosis and loss of consciousness.

Further information and support

Merchants Quay Safer Injecting Booklet can be downloaded here.
The HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline is available on freephone 1800 459 459 Monday – Friday 9:30 – 5:30 or on email at helpline@hse.ie
Find a local drug and alcohol service here