Pubdate: Sat, 05 Feb 2005 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2005, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Beth Blackburn, RCMP Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Note: Const. Beth Blackburn is the drug awareness coordinator for central Vancouver Island. CRYSTAL METH AND THE MENTAL HEALTH LINK Crystal meth users usually experience some degree of psychological problems due to the drug. Crystal meth-related psychosis is indistinguishable from the psychotic symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia, which is often the most troubling. A single dose of the drug can keep the user awake for 24 hours or more, and psychosis most commonly develops with more sustained binges of use which often last three to eight days at a time. Symptoms of psychosis seen with crystal meth use include paranoia, hearing voices, disorganized thinking and a sensation as though small insects are crawling under the skin. After binging, the user will sleep for prolonged periods and often awake with symptoms of confusion and psychosis, along with profound depression leading to suicidal behaviour and potential violence. These users are unable to take medication as prescribed such as HIV medication, methadone or antibiotics and are certainly unable to deal with their addiction. After being clean of the drug for several months, about five to 15 per cent of users developing psychosis will fail to completely recover. It is often quite difficult to determine what came first, the drug or the mental illness. A lot more needs to be learned about helping people with crystal meth related psychosis. In-patient detoxification from the drug is not available in most areas and detoxification centres are not able to cope with people who are dangerously psychotic. In addition, seven-day stay in detox centre, or a 28 day treatment centre, are designed for those with cocaine and heroin addiction and are inadequate to deal with the long-term side effects of crystal meth dependency. Research shows that by treating patients early, there may be some benefits in preventing the development of long-term psychosis and schizophrenia. Crystal meth is a dangerous stimulant drug and the initial studies show link between mental illness and using crystal meth. * RCMP Const. Beth Blackburn is the drug awareness coordinator for central Vancouver Island. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek