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. 2018 Jun;32(2):69-74.
doi: 10.1007/s40211-018-0259-0. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

No evidence of subgroups found in amphetamine consumers in Iran

Atireza Bananej  1 , Sabine Völkl-Kernstock  2 , Otto Lesch  1 , Henriette Walter  1 , Katrin Skala  3
Affiliations

No evidence of subgroups found in amphetamine consumers in Iran

Atireza Bananej et al. Neuropsychiatr. 2018 Jun.

Abstract
in English, German

Amphetamine type substances are the second most commonly consumed illicit drug type and their use is an important contributor to the global burden of disease. This investigation set out to determine whether, similar to alcohol or nicotine addiction, subgroups of consumers can also be found in amphetamine addicts. 204 consumers of methamphetamine only (n = 50) or both methamphetamine and heroin (n = 154) have been investigated in Mashhad, Iran by means of "Lesch Alcoholism Typology". No significant differences in consumption pattern or age of onset have been found between the different types. Many subjects, however, reported symptoms of anxiety (n=78) or depression (n = 129) prior to drug use. These findings highlight the need for high quality epidemiological studies further addressing this issue.

Substanzen aus der Gruppe der Amphetamine sind die weltweit am zweithäufigsten konsumierten illegalen Substanzen, ihr Konsum trägt in hohem Ausmaß zur weltweiten Morbiditätslast bei. Im Rahmen dieser Studie haben wir untersucht, ob bei Amphetaminabhängigen, ähnlich wie bei Alkohol- oder Nikotinabhängigen, spezifische Untergruppen gefunden werden können. In Mashhad (Iran) wurden 204 Konsumenten von Methamphetamin (n = 50) oder Methamphetamin und Heroin (n = 154) mittels „Lesch Alkoholism Typology“ untersucht. Wir fanden keine signifikanten Unterschiede in Bezug auf Konsummuster oder Alter bei Konsumbeginn. Viele Patienten gaben jedoch an, vor Beginn ihres Drogenkonsums unter Angstsymptomen (n = 78) oder depressiven Symptomen (n = 129) gelitten zu haben. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass es qualitativ hochwertiger epidemiologischer Studien bedarf, um sich dieses Themas weiter anzunehmen.

Keywords: Addiction; Amphetamines; Subgroups.

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Conflict of interest statement

A. Bananej, S. Völkl-Kernstock, O. Lesch, H. Walter, and K. Skala declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Decision tree for subgroups of amphetamine dependence
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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