Behavioral and social correlates of methamphetamine use in a population-based sample of early and later adolescents

Abstract

This paper reports relationships between methamphetamine use and behaviors and social influences using data from a population-based survey of 8th- and 11th-grade students in Oregon for the 2001–2003 school years. We analyze methamphetamine use within a general problem behavior framework to identify malleable correlates of behavior for future prevention interventions. We specifically test two models of methamphetamine use employing logistic regression analysis: one comprised of behaviors and traits of the individual students and another focusing on peer and parental influences. This study finds adolescent methamphetamine use related to several problem behaviors. However, the specific problems vary by grade and are moderated by gender. Findings indicate the need for tailored interventions targeting gender/grade-specific behaviors or problems such as antisocial activities, risky sex, and depression, as well as social influences such as peers engaging in antisocial behaviors or using drugs and parents favoring drug use or poorly monitoring or setting limits for their children.

Intravenous heroin use in Haiphong, Vietnam: Need for comprehensive care including methamphetamine use-related interventions

“…In the literature, methamphetamine use is associated with high-risk behaviours, including unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners, marathon sex, and poly-drug use (Strathdee and Stockman, 2010). It is also associated with reduced adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients and higher viral loads (Ellis et al, 2003; Montoya et al, 2014; Moore et al, 2012) and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or psychosis (Darke et al, 2008), and it has been linked to antisocial activities and behaviours as a result of its stimulant effects (Embry et al, 2009). It could become a major concern in the coming years, especially if methamphetamine injection increases significantly, which in turn may increase the risk of blood-borne infections (Colfax et al, 2010).…”

Effects of adolescent methamphetamine and nicotine exposure on behavioral performance and MAP-2 immunoreactivity in the nucleus accumbens of adolescent mice

“…Adolescent MA users have poorer treatment responses, higher recidivism rates compared to non-MA using adolescent drug users [11], and increased rates of general risk-taking behaviors as well as risky sexual behaviors associated with adolescent pregnancy [12, 13]. Adolescent MA users also show increased depression and anxiety levels, increased plasma cortisol levels following a social stressor [14], and executive function impairments [15] relative to non-MA users following 4-11 months of abstinence.…”

Self-reported attentional and motor impulsivity are related to age at first methamphetamine use

“…For example, the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex have been shown to underlie impulsive action, such as disinhibition and lack of motor control in preclinical studies (Jentsch, et al, 2014), suggesting neurobiological alterations in these areas may be present prior to the initiation of MA use. It should be recognized that premorbid neural markers related to impulsivity may be moderated by other risk factors for adolescent/young adult substance use, such as drug availability and peer substance use, which are also related to MA use (Embry, Hankins, Biglan, & Boles, 2009; Russell, et al, 2008; Wood, et al, 2008). Furthermore, the current findings are supported in part by a cross-sectional study examining impulsivity as an endophenotype, in which the authors found that siblings of stimulant users also had higher levels of self-reported impulsivity on the BIS-11 relative to controls, suggesting this trait may be both a risk endophenotype present in non-drug users and a personality trait related to stimulant use (Ersche, Turton, Pradhan, Bullmore, &Robbins, 2010).…”

“…Fourth, it is important to note that many other factors may be associated with initiation of MA use, beyond impulsivity. Drug availability, childhood psychopathology, family history of substance use disorders, lack of parental monitoring, peer substance use, risky sex, antisocial behavior, and genetic variants are some of the many factors that have been associated with MA use (Bousman, Glatt, Everall, & Tsuang, 2009; Embry, et al, 2009; Russell, et al, 2008; Wood, et al, 2008). Longitudinal studies of adolescents and young adults who initiate MA use will be able to clarify which of these risk factors may best explain age at first MA use.…”