Speeding: a review of self-reported effects of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)

Abstract

Speeding: A review of self-reported effects of Amphetamine-type Stimulants (ATS).

Background: Despite well-publicized adverse effects, Amphetamine-type Stimulants (ATS) continue to be widely used. The self-report of ATS users provides a valuable source of information regarding the diverse range of ATS effects. Examining the self-reported acute effects of ATS users supports a fuller understanding of potential drivers, inhibitors, perceived benefits and negative consequences of ATS use.

Method: A systematic review of studies reporting the prevalence of self-reported effects was undertaken. Effects meeting the review criteria were categorised using a computerised dictionary of terms, and their point prevalence estimated.

Results: Over half of the MDMA and amphetamine participants reported increased sociability, energy, talkativeness and positive mood. There was a range of psychological and physiological effects commonly reported by MDMA users, not reported by amphetamine users. Almost a third of MDMA users reported hallucinations and 20% paranoia, however, physical violence was not frequently examined or reported. No studies meeting the review criteria were located that described the frequency of self-reported methamphetamine effects. Unlike areas such as alcohol and cannabis where there is an established literature examining drug expectancies, there is limited research into amphetamine or methamphetamine expectancies which impedes a comprehensive understanding of particular effects which reinforce use, especially for recreational users.

Conclusions: A wide range of self-reported ATS effects and their prevalence were estimated. The absence of studies documenting self-reported methamphetamine effects and studies on ATS expectancies are notable gaps in the literature.

Keywords:

• Amphetamine MDMA methamphetamine self reported effect

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the assistance of Chris Parker and Megan Neumann from the Prince Charles Hospital library in undertaking searches and obtaining articles; Megan Steele for assistance with statistical analysis; Carla Meurk, Mark Daglish and anonymous reviewers for feedback regarding earlier versions of this paper.

Disclosure statement

Jeremy Hayllar has received travel, accommodation, speaker fees and conference support from Janssen, Lundbeck and Indivior; and is the Clinical Director Alcohol and Drug Service, Metro North Mental Health. The other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bob Green

Bob Green is a social worker with the forensic mental health service. His Ph.D research examined the expectancies and motivations of cannabis users with and without psychosis. His other research interests include clinician decision making, offending related to psychosis and textual analysis.

Jeremy Hayllar

Jeremy Hayllar has received travel, accommodation, speaker fees and conference support from Janssen, Lundbeck and Indivior; and is the Clinical Director Alcohol and Drug Service, Metro North Mental Health. The other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Jeremy Hayllar trained as a general physician in UK where he completed his MD on the effects of NSAIDs on the gut. After working in remote Australia for 10 years he is now an addiction medicine specialist in Brisbane. His interests include opioid treatment, management of tobacco use disorder and methamphetamine use disorder.

Carrick Anderson

Dr Carrick Anderson is a consultant psychiatrist at the Queensland Forensic Mental Health Service based in Brisbane, Australia, and is a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland.