Summary

Case study B: Amal’s story continued

The inpatient detoxification team immediately organised for Amal to have an assessment by the team psychiatrist, who admitted Amal to the inpatient mental health unit for further assessment and stabilisation. Amal’s AOD team continued to provide advice and support for his ongoing detoxification during his inpatient mental health stay. During this time, Amal’s family were asked to meet with the treating team and provide additional information. Amal’s father told the team that Amal had experienced previous episodes of hallucinations and delusions; he did not think these had all occurred when Amal had used methamphetamines but couldn’t be sure. Amal’s mother said that her mother had experienced ‘mental health problems’ and been hospitalised many times when she was younger, but she didn’t know the exact nature of her condition.

Amal stayed at the mental health unit for a period of time, during which it was established that while his substance use may have contributed to and exacerbated his symptoms, it was likely that he had an independent psychotic disorder. He was stabilised on antipsychotics, started receiving psychotherapy and began working with a case manager who liaised with the outpatient AOD team and made a plan for his discharge. It was explained to Amal that his methamphetamine use would likely exacerbate or cause a relapse in his psychotic disorder. As such, an important part of his discharge plan included relapse prevention strategies and the provision of ongoing support from the AOD service. Amal also had a longer-term goal of wanting to move out of his parents’ house and live independently, which his case manager worked into his treatment goals.