NCJ Number
185381
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: April-June 2000 Pages: 233-238
Editor(s)
Richard B. Seymour M.A.,
Terry Chambers
Date Published
2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The use of methamphetamine and cocaine has produced significant public health problems during the past two decades; although these powerful stimulants have many common acute and chronic effects, there are some important differences in who uses these drugs and the consequences of their use.
Abstract
The authors report on two large cohorts of treatment-seeking cocaine and methamphetamine users who entered treatment at an outpatient treatment clinic in Rancho Cucamonga, California, between 1989 and 1995. Admission data provided information on demographics, self-reported drug and alcohol use, and health and psychiatric status. In addition, the Problem Severity Index, a 25-item self-administered questionnaire that categorized the extent of severity of substance-related problems across multiple domains, was administered. Patterns of use differed significantly for methamphetamine and cocaine. Methamphetamine users included a higher proportion of women, more frequently used the drug on a daily basis, used marijuana more often, and experienced more severe medical and psychiatric consequences. Cocaine users had more episodic use patterns, spent more money on purchasing their drugs, and used alcohol more heavily. Biological effects of both drugs included anxiety and increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Further, decreased appetite, increased wakefulness, and increased repetitive activity were short-term effects. Despite differences in drug effects of the two stimulants, the treatment response to a multicomponent outpatient program was very similar. 14 references and 5 tables