Psychiatric comorbidity in methamphetamine dependence

Abstract

The primary aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in a large sample of methamphetamine (MA) dependent subjects using a validated structured clinical interview, without limitation to sexual orientation or participation in a treatment program. The secondary aim was to assess whether the prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidities varied by gender. Structured Clinical Interviews (SCIDs) were administered to 189 MA-dependent subjects and lifetime prevalence of DSM-IV diagnoses was assessed. Across the sample, 28.6% had primary psychotic disorders, 23.8% of which were substance-induced; 13.2% had MA-induced delusional disorders and 11.1% had MA-induced hallucinations. A substantial number of lifetime mood disorders were identified that were not substance induced (32.3%), whereas 14.8% had mood disorders induced by substances, and 10.6% had mood disorders induced by amphetamines. Of all participants, 26.5% had anxiety disorders and 3.7% had a substance-induced anxiety disorder, all of which were induced by MA. Male subjects reported a higher percentage of MAinduced delusions compared to female abusers. Given the impact of MA psychosis and other druginduced symptoms on hospitals and mental health services, the description and characterization of co-morbid psychiatric symptoms associated with MA use is of paramount importance.

Factors Influencing the Use of Methamphetamine by Dental Patients in the United States

“…13.2% had methamphetamine-induced delusional disorders, and 11.1% had methamphetamineinduced hallucinations. 20 Previous studies share similar findings, a 106 methamphetamine participant study found a correlation between methamphetamine abuse and reported lifetime history of hallucinations (38%) and paranoia (63%). Another 247 participant study of methamphetamine dependent individuals found that 45% of participants experienced their first episode of paranoia while using the drug.…”

“…21,22 Salo et al study also found that participants reported a significant number of lifetime mood disorders (32.3%) such as depression and anxiety. 20 Moreover, previous research has highlighted the comorbid nature of methamphetamine and mood disorders. The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) conducted a 43,093 subject analysis finding that the prevalence of mood disorder among participants with amphetamine dependence was 64%.…”

“…The most common past comorbid drug dependence diagnoses were alcohol (33%), cocaine (27%), and cannabis (15%). 20 The research indicates that cigarette use very strongly linked to methamphetamine use. A 2009 review of the data regarding the prevalence of cigarette use amongst methamphetamine users found that users reported rates of smoking between 87% -92%.…”

Monitoring the prevalence of methamphetamine-related presentations at psychiatric hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa

“…11 Studies in other countries have indicated that up to almost a third of methamphetamine users experience psychosis at some stage of their use, particularly regular users. 12,13 Surveys and data collected from treatment centres in Cape Town (referred to in the introduction) would thus suggest that potentially thousands of methamphetamine users may require psychiatric treatment while using methamphetamine. Anecdotally, and as indicated to some extent by this report, many of these patients will return for psychiatric care, as they may start using MA again and therefore again experience psychotic episodes.…”

Stimulant use disorders and psychosis: prevalence, correlates and impacts

“…This could suggest that stimulants are more likely to precipitate psychosis in women than in men. However, psychotic symptoms are unrelated to gender in recreational amphetamine users (McKetin et al, 2010) and are more common in male dependent stimulant users (Chen et al, 2003;Salo et al, 2011). Alternative explanations include that young women with psychotic symptoms and stimulant use are more likely to seek care, to be admitted when they do seek care or to have a comorbid stimulant diagnosis recognised and recorded.…”