Page 9 - MELD Stimulant service

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There are currently only inpatient medical interventions for the treatment of the
conditions associated with conditions and syndromes associated with cocaine
and amphetamine use. These may include the management of the physical
signs of intoxication and withdrawal (e.g. unstable blood pressure, chest pain,
seizures, stroke), treatment of stimulant-induced psychiatric disorders (e.g.
severe anxiety, paranoia, mania, hallucinations), and treatment of a stimulant
use disorder. However, these medical interventions are generally provided to
in-patients in a medical setting.
Treatments and interventions for stimulant use disorders are usually provided
after the individual’s intoxication and withdrawal symptoms have resolved.
Out-patient treatment options and programs for stimulant drug use rarely offer
medical interventions; rather they offer psychosocial interventions of varying
degrees of quality.

The primary goals of these psychosocial interventions are to support the
individual to reduce their use or remain abstinent from stimulant drugs.
Promoting the service to these individuals and keeping them engaged in
psychosocial interventions can be challenging.

4.1 STIMULANT REFERRALS RECEIVED
BY MELD

In the last three years, MELD have seen an increase in people presenting to
service seeking support with reducing or stopping stimulant drug use. This has
resulted in over 200 referrals to service. Referrals include cocaine, crack cocaine,
amphetamines, meth amphetamines and NPS’s (new psychoactive substances).
Although there was a decrease in 2021-2022, this number increased again
in 2021-2023 with individuals reporting higher use with increased frequency
during the last two years over the COVID-19 pandemic. Reasons for use include
low mood, increased anxiety, fear, isolation and boredom. We also received
feedback that it was far easier to access stimulant drugs during this time, in
comparison to pre pandemic with dealers frequently in contact with individuals
and delivering stimulant drugs straight to people’s doors.