Characterizing stimulant overdose: A qualitative study on perceptions and experiences of “overamping”

Original research
by
Mansoor, Manal et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

This study explores how PWUS understand, experience, and respond to overamping.

Findings/Key points

Our findings demonstrate that, among PWUS, there was no unified understanding of overamping such as with opioid overdose and individual experiences had substantial variation in severity and presentation. This impacted the ability to adequately respond to stimulant overdoses, which were primarily self-managed through methods including stabilizing breathing, polysubstance use, and cold showers.

Design/methods

61 in-depth interviews with people in the DTES

Keywords

Overdose
About PWUD
Illegal drugs
Stimulants