ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses some of the challenges stimulant use presents to the individual experiencing mental health problems and considers specific issues arising from stimulant use. Stimulant use has a number of specific challenges but is, on the whole, no different from other substances when it comes to mental health–substance use interventions and treatment. The differences that can occur are seen in the actual effect of the drugs, that is the stimulation of the nervous system and the effect that this has on therapeutic engagement and on mental health issues. If the individual experiences stimulant–mental health problems, the complexity of problems can increase markedly. The process of gagement may often not focus on an individual’s mental health and substance use problems but on addressing issues that will have a higher level of priority for the individual, for example, housing, finances, family relationships, social activities. Cognitive behavioural approaches are extremely useful in addressing mental health and substance use problems.
