Feeling Good: Answers about Speed (amphetamines) and mental illness

Can people hear voices or get paranoid because they use speed? Speed (amphetamines) can make the symptoms of mental illness worse or bring them back when a person has been well for some time. People with no mental illness can experience an overdose which is called speed psychosis. This is brought on by using too much speed which can cause toxic blood levels of the drug. Speed psychosis is like a sudden attack of paranoia where you become frightened of things and people around you for no good reason. Some people may hear voices or see things that aren't really there. This can be very distressing, but it will usually go away once the drug leaves your body. This can take a couple of days but some people still have symptoms up to three months afterward. If you use speed again these symptoms may come back. Speed can make the symptoms of mental illness much worse. Speed overdose can give you symptoms such as paranoia. The concurrent presentation of mental illness and the misuse of drug substances is often described as a dual diagnosis. A person experiencing both as problems can be assessed, reviewed and treated at the Bowral Community Health Centre by both the mental health service and the drug health service. A visiting psychiatric registrar works collaboratively with both services to ensure optimal treatment for the patient. Persons experiencing a speed psychosis will often display aggressive behaviours. It is likely that because of this behaviour they could come to the attention of the police. Generally, such a person will be detained in hospital for a short period of time while they recover from the effects of the drug. There are many ways that you can get help. You could start off by talking to trusted friends or relatives or by seeing a general practitioner. The doctor can give you more information, treat you, or refer you on to another professional.