Abstract
BackgroundMethamphetamine (METH) use, especially in females, has become a growing public health concern in China. In this study, we aimed to characterize the factors that contributed to drug craving in female METH users under isolated compulsory detoxification. We characterized factors contributing to craving such as duration of detoxification, history of drug use and self-reported mood state.MethodsSubjects (N=113) undergoing a 1- to 3-year METH detoxification program were recruited from the Zhejiang Compulsory Detoxification Center for Women. The Questionnaire of METH-use Urge (QMU) was used to evaluate the level of craving for METH. The Abbreviate Profile of Mood States (A-POMS) was applied as an assessment for the negative mood disturbances.ResultsThe participants were at a mean age of 25.2, primarily lowly educated and unemployed, and single. Smoking was the only route of METH administration at an average dose of 0.5 g/day, and 4 times/week. The reported craving level was positively correlated with the negative mood disturbances and the weekly dose of METH, but independent of the duration of detoxification. Furthermore, all five aspects of negative mood disturbances, including fatigue, bewilderment, anxiety, depression and hostility, were shown to positively correlate to the self-reported craving level after controlling for weekly dose of METH.ConclusionsThe data demonstrate a robust correlation between mood distress and craving for METH. Our results call for close evaluation of mood distress in treatment of METH users in China.
Highlights
Methamphetamine (METH) use, especially in females, has become a growing public health concern in China
We focused on the time-dependent effect of the detoxification program and self-reported mood states in female METH users We hypothesized that craving might recur after a longer period of detoxification, and it might be affected by negative moods states
The primary finding of present study was that the craving ratings increased, but the ratings of total mood disturbance did not change following the abstinence in the female METH users
Summary
Methamphetamine (METH) use, especially in females, has become a growing public health concern in China. We aimed to characterize the factors that contributed to drug craving in female METH users under isolated compulsory detoxification. We characterized factors contributing to craving such as duration of detoxification, history of drug use and self-reported mood state. The number of methamphetamine (METH) users has increased dramatically in China in recent years [2]. The evidences have shown that the females can sometimes have worse outcomes than the males in relation to METH use. A number of studies have shown that female METH users exhibit more severe psychiatric symptoms [8,9,10,11].
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