Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics in patients using methamphetamine

Objective: The illicit use of methamphetamine (MA) is a growing public health problem globally and causes a range of adverse effects. MA abuse is a growing epidemic worldwide. More than 15 million people in the world are cocaine users, ∼10 million people are heroin users, and more than 35 million people regularly use amphetamines, including MA. MA is an addictive central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and repeated use of MA causes long-term damage to dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways in the brain. Investigating the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of MA users is important for understanding the severity of this addiction and developing effective prevention and treatment methods. The results obtained may contribute to the development of more effective strategies and rehabilitation programs in the fight against this addiction. MA use is an important issue affecting the health and social cohesion of society. Therefore, policy makers, health professionals and community leaders should focus on developing research-based measures to effectively combat this problem. Materials and Method : In our study, patients who used MA between July 2018 and July 2023 who applied to Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Alcohol and Drug Addiction Application and Research Center were retrospectively examined. Data were collected with a personal information form. The study included 500 patients who had completed data, met the diagnostic criteria for stimulant use disorder according to DSM-V, were between the ages of 18-65, and were literate. Patients under 18 years of age, over 65 years of age, patients with a history of psychiatric illness, patients with a history of neurologic disease, and patients with mental retardation were excluded from the study. Patients were screened through archives and information management systems. Results: According to the results of the analysis, a 1-unit increase in age decreases the odds of having symptoms by 5.6% (1-OR; OR: 0.946; 95% CI: (0.909-0.985); p=0.007). Likewise, employment status had a significant effect on the presence of symptoms (OR: 2.103; 95% CI: (1.221-3.625); p=0.007). The likelihood of psychotic symptoms was 2.103 times higher in unemployed people than in employed people. In patients with a history of self-harm, the likelihood of psychotic symptoms was 1.778 times higher than in patients without a history of this behavior (OR: 1.778; 95% CI: (1.026-3.083); p=0.040). Other parameters in the study did not have any significant effect on the presence of psychotic symptoms due to MA use (p>0.05). Conclusion: The issues that individuals should pay attention to in protecting themselves from substance use, which is seen as a public health problem, are expressed both for those who have completed treatment and are in the process of adaptation and for those who have never used. In particular, young individuals are advised not to smoke, to engage in sportive activities, to be interested in hobbies, and to stay away from alcoholic environments. For those who have substance use and are in the adaptation process, it is recommended that they protect themselves from the negative effects of this process by receiving psychological and social support and take initiatives to re-establish healthy relationship structures.