Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders: Current Practices and Promising Perspectives

The number of individuals that regularly use psychoactive substances such as cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines and other psychostimulants is greater than the number of individuals using opioids and opiates. There is a growing concern around the large-scale use of psychostimulants for non-medical purposes and high incidence of psychostimulant use disorders (PSUD).

While medical models of treatment for individuals with alcohol or opioid use disorders are well accepted and implemented worldwide, there is no parallel, long-term medical model of treatment for individuals with stimulant use disorders.

UNODC has put together a discussion paper that aims to raise awareness about the latest scientific evidence concerning the treatment of psychostimulant use disorders.

The document provides an overview of the background and types of psychostimulant substances. It examines the epidemiology of psychostimulant use, the consequences and treatment.