2023/10/22

THAT

TAT

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The main ideas of psychoanalysis have influenced testing methods used in clinical practice. Sigmund Freud found psychoanalysis which has had a profound impact on the field of psychology. One of these influences is the development of testing methods used in clinical practice. Some of the key psychoanalytic concepts that have influenced testing include (Shiraev,2016):

Unconscious Mind: This is a reservoir of repressed thoughts feelings and experiences that can influence our behavior without our awareness.

Projective tests such as the Thematic Apperception Test are designed to tap into our unconscious mind by presenting ambiguous stimuli that can be interpreted differently.

Defense Mechanisms: Unconscious mental processes that protect us from discomfort.

Projective tests can also be used to identify defense mechanisms by observing how people distort or avoid certain stimuli.

Personality Structure: The ID, the EGO, and the SUPEREGO compose personality.

Projective tests can assess the strength of these different parts of personality.

Objects Relations: Focuses on the way we relate to others.

Projective tests can assess someone's attachment style and also their ability to form healthy relationships.

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The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

The TAT is a projective test that consists of a series of ambiguous pictures. The person taking the test is asked to tell a story about each picture. The stories are then analyzed for themes, which are recurring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. This test can be used to assess a wide range of psychological factors, such as (Shirae 2016 ):

Personality traits
Defense mechanisms
Conflicts
Needs
Fears
Fantasies

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What about TAT psychoanalysis

For example, someone who is struggling with anger issues may tell stories about characters who are angry and aggressive. Someone who is feeling insecure may tell stories about characters who are rejected or abandoned. (Shirae 2016)

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Depression Trauma

It can also assess (Shirae 2016):

Anxiety Personality Disorders

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References

Shiraev, E. (2016). Personality Theories. SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781506300795

2023/10/16

Harm Reduction is key to improving public health.

Harm reduction is a public health approach that aims to minimize the negative consequences associated with drug use, drug policies, and drug laws. It is based on the principle that people who use drugs should be treated with respect and dignity, and that they should have access to services and support that help them reduce the risks associated with their drug use.

Harm reduction is important for a number of reasons. First, it can help to save lives. For example, syringe service programs provide clean needles and syringes to people who use drugs, which helps to prevent the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases. Naloxone distribution programs provide people with a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Second, harm reduction can help to improve the health and well-being of people who use drugs. For example, safe injection sites provide people with a safe and supervised place to inject drugs, which can help to reduce the risk of overdose and other complications. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of treatment that uses medication to help people reduce or stop their drug use, and it can also improve their physical and mental health.

Third, harm reduction can help to reduce the stigma associated with drug use. This can make it easier for people to seek help and support, and it can also help to reduce the criminalization of drug use.

Harm reduction is not about promoting or encouraging drug use. Instead, it is about recognizing that drug use is a reality and that people who use drugs deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. Harm reduction offers people the tools and support they need to reduce the risks associated with their drug use and improve their health and well-being.

Harm reduction is a key to improving public health. It is an evidence-based approach that can help save lives, improve the health and well-being of people who use drugs, and reduce the stigma associated with drug use. Harm reduction is not about promoting or encouraging drug use. Instead, it is about recognizing that drug use is a reality and that people who use drugs deserve to be treated with respect and compassion.

Harm reduction: The program should provide information and resources to help people who are using crystal meth reduce the harm they are causing themselves and others. This could include information on how to use safely, how to recognize and respond to overdoses, and how to reduce the risk of HIV and other infections. The program should also provide access to clean needles and other drug paraphernalia.

2023/10/15

CRYSTAL METH

History

The following is the history of a drug epidemic that has been devastating society, leading to increased crime, violence, and addiction for centuries. In 1893, Japan synthesized crystal meth. In the early twentieth century, Japan and Germany used it to treat narcolepsy, obesity, and depression (History.com Editors, 2018).

In 1919, A Japanese chemist used phosphorus and iodine to reduce the ephedrine into a crystallized form, creating the world's first crystal meth (History.com Editors, 2018), It was from this point in 1919 that methamphetamine was streamlined into civilization making it easier to get and reproduce. The following are events that occurred throughout the years in the timeline of Crystal meth (History.com Editors, 2018):

During World War II, both sides gave it to soldiers to keep them awake and alert.
In the 1950s, it became a popular prescription drug in the USA for treating obesity, narcolepsy, and ADHD; however, it was restricted in the 1970s due to its addictive potential.
In the 1980's in rural USA crystal meth production started increasing at alarming rates.
Due to the availability of pseudoephedrine, low cost, and ease of manufacturing crystal meth exploded in the United States in the 1990s

References

History.com Editors. (2018, August 21). History of Meth. HISTORY; A&E Television Networks. https://www.hostory.com/topics/crime/history-of-meth

Possible Med Treatments for Crystal Meth

ADDICTION

As of right now, there are no meds that have been approved by the FDA to counteract the specific effects of meth by someone addicted to it. NIDA (2019) states on its website that research into medications of this nature is a priority.

Drug researchers are typically looking for medications that can counteract the known physiological effects of chronic methamphetamine use. They may also test medications that have shown promise in treating other addictions or psychiatric disorders. Here are some of the targets and strategies that have shown promise in animal or human studies related to methamphetamine use disorder (Abuse 2019) :

Neuroimmune system - Chronic meth usage is associated with over-activating microglia which mediate inflammation in the central nervous system.

Ibudilast and Minocycline are currently being studied for their effectiveness.🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Cognitive enhancement - Several drugs are under investigation that fall into this category.

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Dopamine agonist treatment -

Medications that activate the same receptors as an addictive drug can be effective in treating other addictions. For example, methadone and buprenorphine are opioid agonists that can be used to treat opioid use disorder, and nicotine replacement therapy can be used to help people quit smoking.

Since methamphetamine targets the dopamine system, researchers are investigating stimulant medications that activate dopamine receptors (agonists) as potential medications to treat methamphetamine use disorder. These medications are often used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In summary, medications that activate the same receptors as an addictive drug are a promising new approach to treating methamphetamine use disorder.

Other monoamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine targets -

Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms are similar to depression, so researchers are investigating the use of antidepressants that act on the serotonin and norepinephrine systems to treat methamphetamine use disorder. Antipsychotic medications also act on the dopamine system and may have promise for ameliorating the effects of chronic methamphetamine use.
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The Opioid System -

The opioid system is thought to be involved in the euphoric effects of addictive drugs. Candidate medications for methamphetamine use disorder that target the opioid system include the opioid antagonist naltrexone and the opioid partial agonist buprenorphine.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it blocks the effects of opioids on the brain. It is currently being studied in combination with the antidepressant bupropion for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist, which means that it activates the opioid receptors in a weaker way than opioids like methamphetamine. It is currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid use disorder, and some research suggests that it may also be helpful for methamphetamine use disorder.

Both naltrexone and buprenorphine have the potential to reduce methamphetamine cravings and relapse rates. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of these medications for methamphetamine use disorder.

Overall, medications that target the opioid system are a promising new approach to treating methamphetamine use disorder.

GABA and glutamate systems

Several medications targeting disruptions in the balance of excitation and inhibition (mediated by the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate) are being investigated to treat methamphetamine use disorder. This is because methamphetamine use can disrupt the balance between these two systems, leading to increased excitation and decreased inhibition.

Medications that target the GABA and glutamate systems may be helpful for reducing methamphetamine cravings, relapse rates, and other symptoms of methamphetamine use disorder. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of these medications.

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Hormones

The hormones cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) and oxytocin have both shown promise in reducing the rewarding properties of methamphetamine in animals. However, more research is needed to determine whether these hormones are effective in treating methamphetamine use disorder in humans.

Overall, medications that target the GABA and glutamate systems and hormones like CCK-8 and oxytocin are promising new approaches to treating methamphetamine use disorder.

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References

Abuse, N. I. on D. (2019, October). What treatments are effective for people who misuse methamphetamine? National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-treatments-are-effective-people-who-misuse-methamphetamine

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