NCJ Number
197025
Journal
Addiction Volume: 97 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2002 Pages: 809-817
Editor(s)
Griffith Edwards
Date Published
July 2002
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study was conducted to determine the differences in life backgrounds and clinical features between methamphetamine smokers and injectors in Japan.
Abstract
This research study, which included 116 methamphetamine users undergoing initial assessments but who had been interviewed by a previous study author, was conducted in an psychiatric center outpatient clinic. It was noted that methamphetamine use was a fairly new avenue for drug abuse in Japan. Analysis of variance and X2 tests were used for comparisons between groups. Tables are included showing comparison of life backgrounds, comparison of histories of methamphetamine use, comparison of clinical features of methamphetamine use, and discriminate analysis. Life backgrounds, clinical features, and psychiatric symptoms were compared between three subgroups: group S, smoking only; group I, injection only; and group SI, initially smoking, later injecting. Of the three groups, it was found that group I had more parental absence, a family history of alcoholism, limited education, or a criminal record, and higher use of volatile solvents. Group S experienced their first psychotic episode sooner after first methamphetamine use but showed fewer auditory hallucinations at initial assessment than patients in the other two groups. Group SI was intermediate between groups S and I in life background, clinical features, and psychotic symptoms, and were found to lose control of their drug use most frequently. It was concluded that methamphetamine smokers in Japan have different life backgrounds from injectors. And it was found that smoking methamphetamine did not appear to be a safer route in regard to losing control of methamphetamine use and inducing psychosis than does injection. Tables, references