Borderline personality disorder and meth use commonly occur together. Learn how you can treat both conditions together.
Article at a Glance:
Some points to remember are:
- People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often develop an addiction
- Meth use can worsen BPD
- Treating BPD and meth addiction is possible
BPD & Meth
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)is a disorder that affects emotions, impulse control and relationships. When it occurs with other disorders, it can impact symptoms and treatment.
A survey foundthat people with BPD are likely to have an addiction in their lifetime.Other studies foundthat about half of the people with BPD have an addiction.
Methamphetamine, or meth, is addictive and affects the central nervous system.Meth addictioncan be impacted by having conditions like BPD. A recent study found that35.5% of patientshospitalized formeth psychosishad BPD.
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Can Meth Cause Borderline Personality Disorder?
It is unknown if meth can cause BPD, but meth can cause brain damage. Meth use can warp the brain and damage nerves.Studiesshow that meth kills brain cells and can damage dopamine and serotonin nerve groups.
Damage to those nerve groups can reduce impulse control, attention span, memory and motor control. Some of these issues also characterize BPD and hint that meth use may lead to it.
Alternatively, the side effects of BPD may increase the risk and severity of meth use. Scientists found an area of the brainis smallerin people with BPD. This same area is thought to be involved in meth dependence.
Does Meth Affect BPD Symptoms?
BPD symptomscan be:
- Mood changes
- Extreme emotional reactions
- Dangerous behavior
- Relationship conflicts
- Feeling empty
- Poor sense of self
Substances that impact emotions and decision making can worsen BPD. The high from meth use appeals to people with BPD. The high can relieve the effects of BPD. However, meth causes anexcess releaseof chemicals in the brain that candamage nerve groups.
Similar effects arelinked with BPDsymptoms. Meth use can boost the risk of severe BPD issues, like suicidal ideas. Treatment for meth addiction is key in keeping people with BPD safe.
Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and Meth Addiction
Treatment for BPDand meth addiction is complex. BPD therapy helps people balance emotions and impulses.Meth addiction treatmentinvolvesdetoxand therapy.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)is one of the best therapies forBPD with co-occurring substance use disorders. DBT helps people with BPD to be more aware of emotions and how to control them. DBT works to improve:
- Emotional responses
- Impulse control
- Relationships
A special form of DBT (DBT-SUD) was made specifically for addiction. The principles of DBT-SUD work to treat both types of disorders.
