Methamphetamine Substance Use Disorder: Options and Analysis of Current Treatments in a Co-Occurring Condition

Methamphetamine Substance Use Disorder: Options and Analysis of Current Treatments in a Co-Occurring Condition is organized by NurseCe4less.

Statement of Learning Need:
Members of the interdisciplinary health team need to understand how chronic methamphetamine use can lead to psychotic features that are often mistaken for symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as the treatment options for a methamphetamine use disorder and co-occurring schizophrenia.

Course Purpose:
To provide knowledge to health team members about the distinguishing features and characteristics methamphetamine use disorder and schizophrenia, and the effectiveness of treatment options when they are potentially present at the same time.

Course Summary:
Methamphetamine, also referred to as “meth,” is an amphetamine derivative that is extremely powerful. It is frequently misused globally, and as will be seen, it can have considerable negative effects on a person’s physical, behavioral, cognitive and psychiatric conditions. When a methamphetamine use disorder coincides with a severe and chronic mental illness, the affected person will typically lose the ability to function. In a co-occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis, the affected individual will have a substance use disorder combined with a severe and chronic mental illness. Before an effective treatment plan can be developed, the characterization and description of a co-occurring psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia, must be distinguished from the methamphetamine use. Rehabilitation treatment tends to take longer in people with poor adherence to a treatment program. Those with co-occurring disorders tend to have lower treatment outcomes than those that are just diagnosed with one disorder.