Methamphetamine Abstinence Syndrome: Preliminary Findings

TLDR

Retrospective reports suggest chronic methamphetamine use is linked to a prolonged abstinence syndrome, but prospective confirmation is lacking. Nineteen non‑treatment‑seeking methamphetamine‑dependent volunteers were studied for mood during early abstinence. During the first several days of abstinence, participants experienced moderate depression, anhedonia, irritability, and poor concentration, but symptoms were generally mild, resolved quickly, and varied in intensity and duration.

Abstract

Retrospective reports suggest that chronic use of methamphetamine is associated with a prolonged abstinence syndrome; however, there are no prospective studies confirming this. Nineteen non‐treatment‐seeking methamphetamine‐dependent volunteers participated in a study of mood during initial abstinence. Moderate levels of depression were reported during the first several days of abstinence, with minimal levels reported thereafter. The most prominent symptoms were anhedonia, irritability, and poor concentration. The abstinence syndrome associated with methamphetamine dependence varied considerably in intensity and duration but generally was mild and resolved quickly for most individuals.