Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Amphetamine Type of Dependence

The profile of psychiatric symptoms exacerbated by methamphetamine use

“…Consistent with these criteria, most studies have noted the prominence of hallucinations and delusions, which are usually persecutory in nature (Akiyama, 2006;Angrist et al, 1974;Angrist and Gershon, 1970;Chen et al, 2003;Connell, 1966;Dore and Sweeting, 2006;Harris and Batki, 2000;Iwanami et al, 1994;Janowsky and Risch, 1979;Mahoney et al, 2008;Medhus et al, 2013;Srisurapanont et al, 2003). However, they fail to distinguish between methamphetamine-induced psychosis and schizophrenia on the remaining symptoms of schizophrenia (Hides et al, 2015;Medhus et al, 2013;Srisurapanont et al, 2003Srisurapanont et al, , 2011, disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence), grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms (e.g., diminished emotional expression or avolition; American Psychiatric Association, 2013).…”

“…Methamphetamine and amphetamine (hereafter referred to collectively as methamphetamine) can produce a transient psychosis almost indistinguishable from acute paranoid schizophrenia (Angrist et al, 1974;Angrist and Gershon, 1970;Connell, 1966;McKetin et al 2013). Differentiating between the two conditions with the existing diagnostic criteria is difficult based on presenting symptoms, resulting in misdiagnosis, suboptimal follow-up with a potentially poorer prognosis (Mathias et al, 2008).…”

Amphetamine and Other Non-opioid Drug Users Attending a Special Drug Dependence Clinic

“…Social consequences as a result of amphetamine taking (Connell, 1966) were noted in this series, although there was no serious or dangerous crime as described in Sweden (Rylander, 1966). The available data supported the view (Scott and Willcox, 1965) that delinquency and drug misuse often have common sources of origin.…”

“…Only one of the amphetamine users admitted to paranoid symptoms. Management of the older age group (Connell, 1966) included inpatient admission (three cases) or the regular prescription of amphetamines (two cases by the clinic and three by the general practitioner, two of the latter patients continuing to attend the clinic). The two patients dependent on barbiturates were often intoxicated, one misusing more than 800 mg daily.…”

“…Some claimed abuse of up to 50 tablets a day and had marked sleep disturbance, weight loss, and paranoid symptoms. As outpatient withdrawal of drugs was impracticable (Connell, 1966), all were offered inpatient treatment and nine accepted; one received reducing amounts of amphetamines until then.…”