Psych Vivas · Addiction psychiatry — stimulant and methamphetamine use
Stimulant and methamphetamine use — structured clinical viva
Fellowship viva on methamphetamine intoxication/MAP, cardiovascular risk, withdrawal myths, contingency management, limited pharmacotherapy, and communication.
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Target exams
Interpretation
Reveal interpretation
Assessment spine. Medical first: BP/HR already abnormal — ECG, consider troponin if chest symptoms, temperature, glucose, CK; exclude evolving ACS and other medical crises. Substance timeline (route, binge length, last use, polysubstance), MSE with examples, risk (violence, suicide as she crashes), capacity/legal principles, collateral, dual-diagnosis screen.[1][4]
"Schizophrenia forever?" Working diagnosis: methamphetamine-associated psychosis with clear consciousness. Dose-related psychotic symptoms are recognised. Label evolves with abstinence course; treat now; avoid fatalism and avoid complacency.[1]
"Tablet like methadone?" Honest answer: no licensed methadone-equivalent standard for methamphetamine. Psychosocial treatments are first-line. Selected options (mirtazapine 30 mg nocte in trials; naltrexone XR 380 mg IM q3 weeks + bupropion XL 450 mg daily in ADAPT-2) may be considered in specialist contexts — not universal cure pills.[1][2]
"Dangerous fits when she stops?" Withdrawal typically features crash and dysphoria peaking around day 2, improving over 1–2 weeks — not alcohol-like seizure syndrome as the defining threat. Still plan for suicide risk and CV complications of use itself.[3][4]
"What works?" Contingency management, CBT/CRA/Matrix multi-element care, harm reduction, integrated dual diagnosis, short-course antipsychotic if dangerous psychosis persists, housing and sexual health. Name CM specifically.[5]
Key points
[1] [5]References
- [1]ASAM/AAAP Clinical Guideline Committee The ASAM/AAAP Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Stimulant Use Disorder J Addict Med, 2024.PMID 38669101
- [2]Trivedi MH, Walker R, Ling W, et al. Bupropion and Naltrexone in Methamphetamine Use Disorder N Engl J Med, 2021.PMID 33497547
- [3]McGregor C, Srisurapanont M, Jittiwutikarn J, et al. The nature, time course and severity of methamphetamine withdrawal Addiction, 2005.PMID 16128721
- [4]Kevil CG, Goeders NE, Woolard MD, et al. Methamphetamine Use and Cardiovascular Disease Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2019.PMID 31433698
- [5]Pfund RA, Ginley MK, Boness CL, et al. Contingency Management for Drug Use Disorders: Meta-Analysis and Application of Tolin's Criteria Clin Psychol (New York), 2024.PMID 38863566