Amphetamine dependence with psychiatric comorbidity: case study

Abstract

Thai single male is 27 years old graduated in secondary school and unemployed. History of Amphetamine abuse for 12 years until had been some psychotic symptoms. He had been hallucination of people talking. He was first admission for inpatient department. Then relapse to take amphetamine again together with ice, marijuana and drinking Kratom water (4x100). One day before coming to the hospital, the patient was irritable, and heard the voices of people talking to him, aggression, rampage, destroy something, intimidation, and hurting his grandmother. The last time, when the patient used methamphetamine was on February 20, 2023, and relatives were taken to the hospital. The first symptom was good consciousness, irritable, paranoid with an anxious expression, and auditory hallucination which the sound of people talking. Laboratory tests showed Amphetamine in the urine. Doctors prescribed with Antipsychotic Antidepressants. During treatment, the patient had symptoms of drug withdrawal, intermittent ringing in the ears but perception of the environment, easily irritable when stimulated, isolates, complains of wanting to go home. Nurse observes the symptom talks and health assessment. Watch out for safety from mental illnesses. Prevent quarrel, caring and helping to alleviate discomfort caused by withdrawal symptoms. Take care for side effects of antipsychotic drugs. Take care to get sleepless. And advise for relaxing and manage stress. As well as creating motivation for staying and therapy in rehabilitation phase. The patient received treatment for 38 days. The patient received treatment for detoxification period 38 days and his general health was stronger. No ringing in the ears, no withdrawal symptoms, gets enough rest and able to take care of oneself. The patient is not ready for therapy in rehabilitation phase. Therefore, a discharge plan has been planned together with the relatives and treatment teams. Relatives understand the patient care plan and involvement after discharge and refer to the hospital nearby home. Total length of stay in hospital is 45 days.