A family is concerned about a member who stopped using amphetamines 3 months ago and is now acting paranoid. What is the best response by the nurse?

A family is concerned about a member who stopped using amphetamines 3 months ago and is now acting paranoid. What is the best response by the nurse?

• A. "A person gets symptoms of paranoia with polysubstance abuse."
• B. "When a person uses amphetamines, paranoid tendencies may continue for months."
• C. "Sometimes, family dynamics and a high suspicion of continued drug use make a person paranoid."
• D. "Amphetamine abusers may have severe anxiety and paranoid thinking."

Answer: (B)

The best response by the nurse emphasizes that paranoid tendencies can persist for an extended period after discontinuing amphetamines. This is significant because amphetamines can lead to changes in the brain's neurochemistry, particularly affecting dopamine and serotonin systems. While the acute effects of the drug may wear off relatively quickly, some individuals experience residual psychological effects, including paranoia and anxiety, that can persist for months or even longer after the drug is no longer used. This understanding is crucial for the family, as it helps normalize their concerns about their loved one's behavior and highlights that these symptoms are not uncommon following amphetamine use. It provides reassurance that the individual may still be experiencing effects related to the past use, which warrants monitoring and potentially seeking further help, rather than suggesting that the behavior is solely due to other factors like family dynamics or ongoing drug use.

The best response by the nurse emphasizes that paranoid tendencies can persist for an extended period after discontinuing amphetamines. This is significant because amphetamines can lead to changes in the brain's neurochemistry, particularly affecting dopamine and serotonin systems. While the acute effects of the drug may wear off relatively quickly, some individuals experience residual psychological effects, including paranoia and anxiety, that can persist for months or even longer after the drug is no longer used.

This understanding is crucial for the family, as it helps normalize their concerns about their loved one's behavior and highlights that these symptoms are not uncommon following amphetamine use. It provides reassurance that the individual may still be experiencing effects related to the past use, which warrants monitoring and potentially seeking further help, rather than suggesting that the behavior is solely due to other factors like family dynamics or ongoing drug use.