Association Between Methamphetamine Versus Amphetamine and Acute Psychiatric Symptoms

Abstract

Objective: Methamphetamine is often perceived as a more potent drug than amphetamine, and even though this is partially supported by theoretical consideration of methamphetamine's chemistry, empirical support has been lacking. The aim of this study was to examine whether methamphetamine use was more common among people with acute psychiatric symptoms and more predictive of having such symptoms. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from two groups: 363 people admitted to two acute psychiatric wards and 735 drivers who were suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. Blood samples from both groups were analyzed at the same laboratory, using the exact same procedures, and were matched on geographical region and time the sample was collected. Differences between the two groups were analyzed and binary logistic regression was used to explore the interrelationship between the probability of being admitted to a psychiatric ward, the level of different sedating drugs, and amphetamine concentrations. Results: People admitted to psychiatric wards were more often positive for methamphetamine (73.7%; 28 of 38) compared to apprehended drivers (46.5%; 342 of 735), χ ² = 9.62, df = 1, p < .01. The adjusted odds for being admitted to an acute psychiatric ward were significantly higher for those positive for methamphetamine compared to those positive only for amphetamine; B = 1.487, SE = 0.397, p < .001, adjusted odds ratio = 4.423, 95% CI [2.031–9.631]. Conclusions: Methamphetamine was more often detected in people admitted to acute psychiatric wards, suggesting a possible link between methamphetamine and psychiatric symptoms that could lead to admission.

Keywords:

• methamphetamine
• psychoses
• psychostimulants
• psychopathology

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the Regional Centre for Dual Diagnosis, Sanderud Hospital, Hamar, for the funding of the project.

The results from this article have been presented at the International Society of Addiction Medicine's annual conference in Oslo, Norway, September 6–10, 2011, and at the Vettre Seminar (a Norwegian national conference on addiction medicine) at Vettre, Norway, February 10–11, 2011.