Methamphetamine Treatment Guidelines: Practice Guidelines for Health Professionals

Abstract

Methamphetamine Treatment GuidelinesTurning PointFrequency of use has also increased in this group: the proportion of those using weekly or more often nearly tripled from 12.4% to 32% between 2010 and 2016.Rates of smoking methamphetamine approximately doubled from 2010 to 2013 (to ~40%), and intravenous use remained at similar levels (~10%), while other forms of administration (e.g.snorting) reduced from approximately 70% to 50% in the same period.While less than 1% of people with any recent illicit drug use reported an overdose requiring medical attention in 2016, this rate was higher (2.9%) among those with recent use of methamphetamine [2] .Polydrug use is very common amongst people who use methamphetamine.In Australia, among people who report recent use of methamphetamine, 73% also engage in risky drinking, 74% use cannabis, and 52% report daily tobacco smoking [2] .Other substances that are most commonly used in conjunction with methamphetamines include those that are consistent in their stimulant effects (e.g.ecstasy, cocaine), prescription drugs (e.g.benzodiazepines) and, to a lesser extent, dexamphetamine ('dexies'), GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate, or 'liquid ecstasy'), ketamine and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide, or 'acid') [2,8] .Polydrug use is associated with greater psychopathology, higher levels of risky health behaviours, decreased cognitive functioning, poorer treatment engagement, withdrawal complications, poorer treatment outcomes, and increased non-fatal overdoses and drug-related deaths [9] .Among those receiving treatment for methamphetamine as a principal drug of concern in 2015-16, the majority were between 20 and 39 years of age (74%), most were male (69%), and 14% identified as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent [10] .