An investigation of cigarettes smoking behavior and nicotine dependence among Chinese methamphetamine users in two provinces.

Ziyun Wang,Shiyan Yan,Yanping Bao,Zhi Lian,Zhimin Liu,Zhenjun Jia

doi:10.1155/2014/175205

Abstract

Objective. To survey cigarette behaviors and nicotine dependence among Chinese MA users, explore risk factors for high nicotine dependence, and analyze the relationship between nicotine dependence and MA-related euphoria and sexual impulse. Methods. A cross-sectional study, applying a self-designed questionnaire with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS), was performed among 391 MA users in Beijing and Guangdong, China. Results. Most MA users were smokers, including 159 having high dependence on nicotine (HD users, FTND > 5) and 197 low or medium dependent (LMD users, FTND ≤ 5). Men or married users were more likely to be highly dependent than women or unmarried users. Higher MA dose and ever-use of ketamine or alcohol were associated with higher likelihood of high nicotine dependence. HD users reported significantly higher euphoria and stronger sexual impulse after using MA, indicated by higher VAS scores. Conclusions. Potential risk factors for high nicotine dependence among MA users may include male gender, being married, higher MA dosage, and ever-use of ketamine or alcohol, which should be taken into consideration in individualized health promotion on smoking cessation. Severe nicotine dependence was associated with stronger MA-related euphoria and sexual impulse and it should be confirmed by further studies.

Highlights

Methamphetamine (MA), with street names of “glass,” “ice,” and “meth,” is one of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) with significant abuse potential and neurotoxic effects and it causes the release of central and peripheral monoamines, resulting in both physical and psychological alterations [1, 2]
We did not retrieve any literature done to explore risk factors of nicotine dependence for MA users in China and our results illustrate that MA users who are male, married, using MA more than 0.2 g, and ever using ketamine and alcohol may be at higher risks of severe dependence on nicotine
The percentages of participants smoked the first cigarette within 30 minutes after they woke up (75%) and participants reluctant to give up the first cigarette in the morning (52.8%) were higher than those of the general population, implying a severe nicotine withdrawal among MA users [22, 28]

Summary

Introduction

Methamphetamine (MA), with street names of “glass,” “ice,” and “meth,” is one of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) with significant abuse potential and neurotoxic effects and it causes the release of central and peripheral monoamines, resulting in both physical and psychological alterations [1, 2]. MA is the most commonly abused ATS, and data about seizures of ATS is mainly composed of MA in North America and East and South-East Asia [1, 4]. In 2010, MA seizures were more than double the amount in 2008, partly resulting from seizures increase in Central America and East and South-East Asia [5]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion