Comparison of Patterns of Methamphetamine and Cocaine Use

• NCJ Number: 194679
• Journal: Journal of Addictive Diseases Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 35-44
• Author(s): Sara L. Simon Ph.D.; Kimberly Richardson B.S.; Jennifer Dacey B.A.; Susan Glynn B.A.; Catherine P. Domier B.A.; Richard A. Rawson Ph.D.; Walter Ling M.D.
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1-Y01-DA-50038-00
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using self-report information from 183 stimulant users enrolled in a longitudinal cognitive study, this article reports on a comparison of various features of methamphetamine (MA) use and cocaine use.

Abstract

Of the 183 stimulant users, 120 used MA, and 63 used cocaine. The participants were tested and interviewed individually in a treatment clinic in either Torrance or Rancho Cucamonga, CA. The issues examined were the typical use patterns for MA users; routes of administration or demographic variables associated with particular patterns of MA use, the pattern of use associated with the severity of dependence, and whether the patterns of use of MA users were the same as those of cocaine users. The typical MA user in this study was a "continuous" user, who used more than 20 times per month. Users were equally divided between males and females, and no differences in use could be attributed to gender. The average length of MA use was just over 10 years. Some users reported binge behavior, but this behavior did not necessarily disrupt the addict's normal routine. There were clearly different patterns of use between MA users and cocaine users. Fewer of the cocaine users were "continuous" users, and they used in the evening rather than at evenly spaced times throughout the day, as was the case with MA users. The cocaine pattern of fewer days of use, evening use, and more use per day fits a portrait of recreational use; whereas, the all-day-most-days MA pattern does not. MA users were more likely to have parents or partners who used drugs than were cocaine users. The greater amount of money spent on drugs by cocaine users was probably due to the higher cost of cocaine and the fact that MA users consumed home-made MA or bartered for the drug. These findings suggest that prevention and treatment that focuses on MA may be more effective if they focus on the special needs of MA users rather than on stimulant use as a single category. 2 tables and 22 references