Are Dose and Duration of Methamphetamine Abuse Associated with Psychotic Symptoms?

Abstract

Background: Regarding the high prevalence of methamphetamine (MA) abuse among the youth population and its consequences, especially psychiatric problems. Objectives: This research aimed to investigate the relationship between the rate and severity of methamphetamine associated psychotic symptoms with duration and dose of methamphetamine in Iranian abusers. Patients and Methods: The statistical population of this descriptive-correlational study consisted of all methamphetamine abusers who referred to Ibn-e-Sina Psychiatric Hospital in Mashhad city. The cases were selected through convenience sampling method. The research instrument included the demographic questionnaire and positive and negative symptoms scale. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient through SPSS software. Results: The participants included 100 amphetamine abusers (80 men and 20 women) with the mean age of 30.84 ± 6.62 years. There were significant relationships between dose of amphetamine abuse and positive (P = 0.004) and negative psychotic symptoms (P = 0.04), while the duration of amphetamine abuse did not have any significant relationships with positive and negative psychotic symptoms and general psychopathology (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicated dose-related psychosis in amphetamine abusers while the duration of abuse did not have any significant relationships with psychotic symptoms and general psychopathology.

Who has a problem with chemsex? Identity as a missing link in support services for men who engage in problematic use of psychoactive substances for sexual purposes.

“…In a shorter perspective, days immediately after using methamphetamine bring states of anxiety and depression because of the extreme serotonin deficiency. The literature suggests that in the case of methamphetamine harm for mental health, especially in the form of psychotic episodes, depends less on how long the substance has been used for, and more on the size of individual doses [14]. Additionally, each of the substances listed above causes -in various intensity -increased confidence, sexual arousal and interest in sex, as well as lowers the ability to delay gratification.…”