Meth Psychosis Presents Medical, Legal Challenges

London, Susan, Clinical Psychiatry News

SEATTLE -- Methamphetamine-induced psychosis is a challenging condition from both a medical and legal perspective, according to a panel of addiction specialists at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.

Its is a potent, highly addictive drug that is relatively cheap and easy to make, but "unfortunately, it is also very neurotoxic," said Dr. Mace Beckson, a forensic psychiatrist at the University of California, Los Angeles.

In addition, users of the drug often run into trouble with the law because some of its adverse effects, such as cognitive impairment, paranoia, and psychosis, may be associated with violent behavior. Originally, the drug and the problems associated with it were confined to the western United States and Hawaii, but they have now "spread eastward," he said.

Dr. David Y. Kan, a psychiatrist and substance abuse specialist at the University of …

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Publication information: Article title: Meth Psychosis Presents Medical, Legal Challenges. Contributors: London, Susan - Author. Magazine title: Clinical Psychiatry News. Volume: 37. Issue: 3 Publication date: March 2009. Page number: 34+. © 2009 International Medical News Group. COPYRIGHT 2009 Gale Group.

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