Treatment of amphetamine abuse/use disorder: a systematic review of a recent health concern

Abstract

Objectives The study systematically reviewed the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments alone or combined with brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (BCBT) for treating Iranian amphetamine abusers. The secondary aim was to review the efficacy of BCBT alone or combined with pharmacological treatments for treating amphetamine abusers in the world. Evidence acquisition Published trials were considered for inclusion. The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Web of Science, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group's Specialised Register of Trials, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, PsychINFO, Iran Medex, Magiran and the Scientific Information Database were searched (January 2001 to March 2019). The reference lists of included studies were hand searched for more information. A systematic literature search in eight databases produced 10 trials. Results Risperidone reduced positive psychotic symptoms while aripiprazole reduced negative psychotic symptoms. Methylphenidate reduced craving and depression compared with placebo. Topiramate reduced addiction severity and craving for methamphetamine abuse compared with placebo. Buprenorphine reduced methamphetamine craving more than methadone. Haloperidol and risperidone reduced psychosis. Riluzole reduced craving, withdrawal, and depression compared with placebo. Abstinence from amphetamine or reduction in amphetamine abuse was confirmed in four BCBT studies and one study which applied BCBT with a pharmacological treatment which were stable between two and 12-months. Other changes in BCBT studies were as follows: reduced polydrug use; drug injection, criminality and severity of amphetamine dependence at six-month follow-up; improved general functioning; mental health; stage of change as well as improved motivation to change in a pharmacological + BCBT study. Conclusion A review of trials indicates that pharmacological treatments and BCBT in a research setting outperform control conditions in treating amphetamines abuse and associated harms. Large-scale studies should determine if both treatments can be effective in clinical settings.

Psychosocial Interventions for Amphetamine Type Stimulant Use Disorder: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

“…Interventions can generate unwanted effects, often referred to as adverse effects, side effects or adverse events (42). Only two included systematic reviews (37,56) included statement of intent to analyse adverse events, however, no data were reported. Thus, consideration of adverse events was absent from the included studies.…”

Characteristics of an Online HIV Education Program for Iranian Female Methadone Patients: The First Study

“…Further studies are suggested. Studies have shown that people use illicit drugs in methadone treatment, especially methamphetamine, which can lead to HIV risk behaviors [19,20]. The efficacy of online HIV programs needs to be further investigated on both reduced HIV risk behaviors and poly-drug use while receiving methadone treatment.…”

Women and Methamphetamine in Iran: A Report From the Most Populous Persian Gulf Country

“…Women in this study reported a number of reasons for MA use, their treatment needs, and their reasons for potential treatment success. As illicit drug use is a health problem among methadone patients, which needs treatment, effective treatment interventions should partly consider these reasons [23,24]. Further studies are suggested to investigate these reasons among large groups of female methadone patients.…”