Does abstinence resolve poor sleep quality in former methamphetamine dependents?

Abstract

Background and objectiveAmong substances that have a significant effect on sleep are stimulants, including amphetamines. As there are few studies assessing sleep quality in methamphetamine withdrawal this study aims to evaluate changes in sleep quality of methamphetamine dependent patients during early remission period by controlling depression and anxiety as confounding variables.MethodsThis study was conducted in Mashhad, Iran. Ninety amphetamine dependent patients, who were admitted in residential centers during 2012–2014 and met our inclusion criteria, were chosen by purposive nonprobability sampling method. Sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburg sleep questionnaire, in the first, second, and after the fourth week of abstinence. Additionally all participants were assessed by Beck Depression Inventory-2 and Beck Anxiety Inventory for controlling depressive and anxiety symptoms.ResultsThe prevalence of improper quality of sleep was very high (97.8%) within the first week of withdrawal, but it reduced considerably four weeks after abstinence (52.2%), which was statistically significant (P=0.00). The variations of depression and anxiety levels within four weeks after quitting methamphetamine, have low impact on variation of patients' sleep quality (adjusted R2<0.5). Furthermore, the effectiveness of these two intervening variables on patients' quality of sleep was dwindled over time after abstinence.ConclusionsThis study showed that the patients' quality of sleep improved significantly four weeks after abstinence and its variation was independent from variations in anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Polysomnographic survey of sleep architecture in patients with methamphetamine dependence during remission

“…Participants continued to experience sleep problems many weeks after they stopped using MA (mean abstinence duration was 81.3±34.9 days). This finding is consistent with the results of a descriptive study assessing the sleep quality of former MA users, which showed that more than 50% of the previous MA users had impaired sleep quality during the fifth week after MA discontinued 4 . In 2010, Brower and Perron 23 hypothesized that protracted sleep problems could be a risk factor of relapse in any substance user.…”

“…Sleep efficiency of 87% and more is needed for rating the quality of sleep as “good” 31 . So, the objective findings of PSG on the sleep quality are consistent with a descriptive study on quality of sleep in former methamphetamine users, where 52.2% of participants reported improper quality of sleep in the fifth week of abstinence 4 . Participants of our study showed an increase, yet not significant, in WASO and total arousal index (TAI), as well.…”

“…Every year, they impose high costs on the health care system 3 . There are several causes of sleep disturbances, including misuse of amphetamine derivatives 4 .…”

Methamphetamine-induced changes in myocardial gene transcription are sex-dependent

“…It is noteworthy that all 3 changes observed in male hearts following 30 days of abstinence involved genes that regulate the circadian rhythm and that no circadian-related genes were altered in female hearts following 30 days of abstinence (Table 4 ). Previous studies have documented prolonged periods of disrupted sleep patterns in humans who formerly used methamphetamine [ 68 , 69 ]. Thus, we speculate that sex differences in the expression of these circadian genes might reflect sex-dependent alterations in sleep patterns associated with the discontinuation of methamphetamine.…”

Effect of Chaihu-jia-Longgu-Muli decoction on withdrawal symptoms in rats with methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference

“…Methamphetamine use is associated with an array of symptoms, such as mental excitation, loss of appetite, insomnia [1] , and inclination toward social violence.…”