Methamphetamine-dependent Patients Research Articles

The Association Between Rumination and Craving in Chinese Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients: The Masking Effect of Depression

Background Craving is a core feature of addiction. Rumination and depression play a crucial role in the process of methamphetamine addiction. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between rumination, depression and craving in methamphetamine patients, which has not been explored yet. Methods A total of 778 patients with methamphetamine user disorder (MUD) at the Xinhua Drug Rehabilitation Center, located in Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, China. We used a set of self-administered questionnaires that included socio-demographic, detailed drug use history, rumination, depression and craving information. The Rumination Response Scale (RRS) was used to measure rumination, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to measure depression and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure craving. Results There was a significant positive correlation between rumination and craving, or depression, and between depression and craving. Furthermore, depression mediated between rumination and craving, with a mediation effect of 160%. Conclusions Our findings suggest that there is a close interrelationship between rumination, craving and depression in MUD patients, and that depression may play a mediating role between rumination and craving.

Comparing the Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Substance Craving Control and Rumination in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

Objective: The aim of the current study was to compare the effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on substance craving control and rumination in methamphetamine-dependent patients. Methods and Materials: The present study, in terms of its objective, was applied research, utilizing a pre-test post-test design within a quasi-experimental research framework. The statistical population included all male patients dependent on methamphetamine who visited the Gam Addiction Treatment Clinic in Ghaemshahr city in the year 2020, from whom 45 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and randomly divided into three groups of 15 (two experimental and one control group). Participants in all three groups responded to the Drug Desire Questionnaire (DDQ) (2002) and the Hocksmann-Nolen Marw Rumination Questionnaire (1991) in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. For the first experimental group, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) was applied with a maximum current intensity of 2 milliamperes, and for the second experimental group, twelve sessions of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy were conducted based on the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy protocol (Bayling, McCabe, Antony, 2011), while the control group received no treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Findings: The results showed that both treatments were effective. However, the effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) on craving control and the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on rumination were greater. Conclusion: Both treatments can be used to reduce psychological problems in methamphetamine-dependent patients.

Effect of Neurofeedback Training Along With Swimming Exercise on the Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Severity of Dependence, and Craving in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

This study investigated whether neurofeedback (NFB) training and swimming exercise (Swim) would reduce the stress, anxiety, depression, severity of dependence, and cravings in patients addicted to methamphetamines. Participants were allocated randomly to four groups: control group, NFB, Swim, and NFB/Swim. All groups completed the study questionnaire before and after treatment. The NFB, Swim, and NFB/Swim groups reported significantly less stress, cravings, and severity of dependence than the control group. The Swim and NFB/Swim groups had significantly lower depression scores than the control group. Also, the NFB/Swim group experienced less anxiety than the control group. However, the NFB/Swim group had lower levels of stress than the Swim group, and lower levels of anxiety and severity of dependence than the NFB group. These findings suggest that NFB training along with swimming exercise was effective in managing methamphetamine-related behavioral disturbances, which may help patients to manage their cravings.

Association between Child Maltreatment and Depressive Symptoms in Male Methamphetamine-dependent Patients: The Mediating Role of Social Support

Association between Child Maltreatment and Depressive Symptoms in Male Methamphetamine-dependent Patients: The Mediating Role of Social Support

Effect of Neurofeedback Training Along with Swimming Exercise on the Electroencephalographic Changes and Visual Image-Induced Craving in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

Introduction: In this study, we investigated whether neurofeedback (NFB) training and swimming exercise would decrease the electroencephalographic (EEG) changes and visual image-induced craving in methamphetamine (METH)-dependent patients. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial design. 32 METH-dependent patients were allocated randomly to four groups; control, NFB, Swim, and NFB/Swim. The EEG and visual image-induced craving were recorded before and after the intervention in all four groups. Results: We found that the NFB, Swim, and NFB/Swim groups showed significantly lower absolute power for 4 frequency bands. Also, the swim and NFB/Swim groups had less and greater relative power in the alpha and delta bands, respectively. In addition, NFB/Swim group exhibited an increase in delta/alpha power ratio than the control and the NFB groups. Also, the NFB/Swim group showed a significant reduction in visual image-induced craving score than the control, swim, and NFB groups. Conclusion: This study provides novel evidence that the NFB training along with swimming exercise during METH-abstinence was effective in the normalization of METH-induced EEG changes, which may help patients to manage their cravings.

Neural basis of the attention bias during addiction stroop task in methamphetamine-dependent patients with and without a history of psychosis: an ERP study.

Attentional bias plays an important role in sustaining various types of drug addiction. No prior studies examined methamphetamine (MA)-associated psychosis (MAP) relationships between ERP time course and performance on an addiction Stroop task in MA abusers. The aim of the present study was to determine whether MA abusers with (MAP+) or without (MAP-) psychosis exhibit alterations of the ERP during the addiction Stroop task. Thirty-one healthy controls (CTRL), 14 MAP-, and 24 MAP+ participants were recruited and completed the addiction Stroop task during EEG recording using 32 electrodes. Group variations were compared on measures of behavioral task performance and event-related potentials (ERP) of performance monitoring (N200, P300, N450). The Barratt impulsiveness scores were analyzed to investigate correlations with ERP changes. MA-related word stimulus elicited a more negative N200 amplitude over left-anterior electrodes in MAP- abusers; furthermore, a positive association between the N200 amplitude and Barratt attentional scores and non-planning scores was observed, while no such differences were found in MAP+ abusers. There were no significant differences in reaction time (RT) and error rate between each group. This is the first study to examine psychosis relationships between ERP time course and performance on an addiction Stroop task in MA abusers with or without psychosis. These findings support the association between attentional bias measured by the MA addiction Stroop task and N200 component as well as indicate the possibility of using this cognitive task in combination with ERP technology to detect psychosis factors among abstinent MA abusers.

Effects of different exercise patterns on drug craving in female methamphetamine-dependent patients: Evidence from behavior and fNIRS

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of short-term moderate-intensity cycle ergometer and aerobic calisthenics training on drug craving and brain activity. MethodsForty female methamphetamine (MA)-dependent patients were randomly assigned to receive 30 min of either moderate-intensity cycle ergometer or aerobic calisthenics training. Before and after exercise, drug-cue exposure task was used to assess changes in subjective drug craving, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to assess activation of prefrontal cortex. ResultsAfter the intervention, drug craving was significantly decreased in both groups, and activation of frontal polar area (FPA) was significantly decreased in the cycle ergometer group. Functional connectivity between right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and FPA in the aerobic calisthenics group was significantly reduced. Pre-exercise levels of drug craving correlated positively with FPA activation. ConclusionBoth short-term moderate-intensity cycle ergometer and aerobic calisthenics training effectively reduced subjective drug craving in female MA-dependent patients. Cycle ergometer training mainly decreased neural activity in FPA, and likely suppressed drug craving by reducing the episodic memory and pleasure experience of drug-related cues. Aerobic calisthenics training reduced functional connectivity between FPA and right DLPFC, and likely helped subjects reduce the motivation for drug-related behavior and inhibit drug craving.

Association between drug craving and aggression in Chinese male methamphetamine-dependent patients with and without depressive symptoms.

Depressive symptoms and aggression are common in patients with substance use disorder. Drug craving is one of the main drivers of drug-seeking behavior. This study aimed to explore the relationship between drug craving and aggression in methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) patients with and without depressive symptoms. Totally, 613 male patients with MAUD were recruited in this study. Patients with depressive symptoms were identified by the 13-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13). Drug craving and aggression were assessed by the Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) and the Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), respectively. 374 patients (61.01%) were confirmed to meet the criteria of depressive symptoms. Patients with depressive symptoms had significantly higher DDQ and BPAQ total scores than those without depressive symptoms. DDQ desire and intention were positively correlated with verbal aggression and hostility in patients with depressive symptoms, whereas they were correlated with self-directed aggression in patients without depressive symptoms. In patients with depressive symptoms, DDQ negative reinforcement and a history of suicide attempts were independently associated with BPAQ total score. Our study suggests that male MAUD patients have a high incidence of depressive symptoms and that patients with depressive symptoms may have greater drug cravings and aggression. Depressive symptoms may play a role in the association between drug craving and aggression in patients with MAUD.

Association of GABA receptor delta subunit gene variations with increased risk of methamphetamine dependence

ObjectiveEvidence reveals that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors are involved in the development of methamphetamine (METH) dependence. The GABA receptor delta subunit gene (GABRD) might be a good candidate gene for METH dependence. In a case–control study, we investigated the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GABRD and METH dependence in a Chinese Han population. MethodsA total of 300 METH dependent patients and 300 age and sex matched normal control subjects were recruited. Four SNPs (rs13303344, rs4481796, rs2376805, and rs2229110) in GABRD were determined with the TaqMan genotyping assay. The association of the SNPs with METH dependence was assessed. ResultsOnly the allele frequency of rs2376805 significantly differed between the patients and controls (P = 0.030). The G allele frequency of rs2376805 was higher in the METH dependent group than in the controls (odds ratio = 1.332, 95 % CI: 1.028–1.724). This association was found in females but not in males. In females, the frequencies of genotype and allele at rs2376805 significantly differed between the patients and controls (P = 0.025, 0.022, respectively); the rs2376805 G allele may also be a risk factor for METH dependence (odds ratio = 1.548, 95 % CI: 1.063–2.257). The haplotype ACGT frequency significantly differed between the patients and controls in total subjects (P = 0.008, odds ratio = 1.815, 95 % CI: 1.183–2.782), as well as in females (P = 0.005, odds ratio = 2.702, 95 % CI: 1.313–5.562). In females only, the METH craving score was significantly lower in patients harboring the G allele at rs2376805 than in those harboring the homozygous AA genotype (P = 0.044). ConclusionThe preliminary results indicate that GABRD rs2376805 is associated with METH dependence, especially in females.

The relationship between obsession and addiction relapse with the mediation of sensation seeking in methamphetamine dependent patients

Background and Aim: In addition to the direct effect on the body, substance abuse causes psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, social and economic pressures. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between obsession and addiction relapse with the mediation of sensation seeking in self-reported addicts. Methods: The current research design was descriptive and correlational research design of the structural equation model type. The statistical population of the present study was all the methamphetamine addicted patients who were in the process of withdrawal who referred to the substance abuse treatment centers of Tehran city in 2022, out of which 250 people were selected by available sampling method. And they responded to Wright's (1993) Addiction Recurrence Questionnaire, Hodgson and Rachman's (1977) Thought-Practice Obsession and Marvin Zuckerman's (1978) Sensation Seeking Questionnaires. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling method and Lisrel 8.80 software. Results: The results showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between obsessive thoughts, excitement seeking and addiction relapse (P<0.01). Also, sensation seeking plays a mediating role in the relationship between obsessive thoughts and addiction relapse (P<0.01). Conclusion: It can be concluded that sensation seeking plays a mediating role in the relationship between obsessive thoughts and addiction relapse.

Anxiety treatment of methamphetamine-dependent patients with buprenorphine: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.

In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, the effectiveness of buprenorphine (BUPRE) in the reduction of anxiety symptoms among the methamphetamine (MA) dependents was evaluated. The 60 MA-dependent patients were randomly assigned to three groups (0.1 mg, 1 mg, and 8 mg of BUPRE), The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was administrated to assess the anxiety symptoms daily at baseline and second to the 5th day after intervention. The inclusion criteria were the MA dependence, age of over 18 years, and absence of any chronic physical illnesses; exclusion criteria were the presence of other drug dependence in combination with MA. The mixed-design analysis of variance was performed for data analysis. A significant main effect of time (F = 51.456, P < 0.001) and group (F = 4.572, P = 0.014) and group-by-time interaction (F = 8.475, P < 0.001) were detected. This finding supports the efficacy of BUPRE to decrease anxiety. High doses of the drug (1 and 8 mg) were more effective than 0.1 mg. Here was not a significant difference between anxiety score when patients received 1 mg of BUPRE instead of 8 mg.

Increased Lipid Peroxidation and Lowered Antioxidant Defenses Predict Methamphetamine Induced Psychosis.

a significant percentage of methamphetamine (MA) dependent patients develop psychosis. The associations between oxidative pathways and MA-induced psychosis (MIP) are not well delineated. the aim of this study is to delineate whether acute MA intoxication in MA dependent patients is accompanied by increased nitro-oxidative stress and whether the latter is associated with MIP. we recruited 30 healthy younger males and 60 acutely intoxicated males with MA dependence and assessed severity of MA use and dependence and psychotic symptoms during intoxication, and serum oxidative toxicity (OSTOX) biomarkers including oxidized high (oxHDL) and low (oxLDL)-density lipoprotein, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO), and antioxidant defenses (ANTIOX) including HDL-cholesterol, zinc, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and catalase-1. a large part (50%, n = 30) of patients with MA dependence could be allocated to a cluster characterized by high psychosis ratings including delusions, suspiciousness, conceptual disorganization and difficulties abstract thinking and an increased OSTOX/ANTIOX ratio. Partial Least Squares analysis showed that 29.9% of the variance in MIP severity (a first factor extracted from psychosis, hostility, excitation, mannerism, and formal thought disorder scores) was explained by HDL, TAC and zinc (all inversely) and oxLDL (positively). MA dependence and dosing explained together 44.7% of the variance in the OSTOX/ANTIOX ratio. MA dependence and intoxication are associated with increased oxidative stress and lowered antioxidant defenses, both of which increase risk of MIP during acute intoxication. MA dependence is accompanied by increased atherogenicity due to lowered HDL and increased oxLDL and oxHDL.

Abnormal resting-state functional connectome in methamphetamine-dependent patients and its application in machine-learning-based classification.

Brain resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) has been widely analyzed in substance use disorders (SUDs), including methamphetamine (MA) dependence. Most of these studies utilized Pearson correlation analysis to assess rsFC, which cannot determine whether two brain regions are connected by direct or indirect pathways. Moreover, few studies have reported the application of rsFC-based graph theory in MA dependence. We evaluated alterations in Tikhonov regularization-based rsFC and rsFC-based topological attributes in 46 MA-dependent patients, as well as the correlations between topological attributes and clinical variables. Moreover, the topological attributes selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to construct a support vector machine (SVM)-based classifier for MA dependence. The MA group presented a subnetwork with increased rsFC, indicating overactivation of the reward circuit that makes patients very sensitive to drug-related visual cues, and a subnetwork with decreased rsFC suggesting aberrant synchronized spontaneous activity in subregions within the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) system. The MA group demonstrated a significantly decreased area under the curve (AUC) for the clustering coefficient (Cp) (P perm < 0.001), shortest path length (Lp) (P perm = 0.007), modularity (P perm = 0.006), and small-worldness (σ, P perm = 0.004), as well as an increased AUC for global efficiency (E.glob) (P perm = 0.009), network strength (Sp) (P perm = 0.009), and small-worldness (ω, P perm < 0.001), implying a shift toward random networks. MA-related increased nodal efficiency (E.nodal) and altered betweenness centrality were also discovered in several brain regions. The AUC for ω was significantly positively associated with psychiatric symptoms. An SVM classifier trained by 36 features selected by LASSO from all topological attributes achieved excellent performance, cross-validated prediction area under the receiver operating characteristics curve, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and kappa of 99.03 ± 1.79, 94.00 ± 5.78, 93.46 ± 8.82, 94.52 ± 8.11, and 87.99 ± 11.57%, respectively (P perm < 0.001), indicating that rsFC-based topological attributes can provide promising features for constructing a high-efficacy classifier for MA dependence.

The Effects of Oxytocin on Craving, Mental Health Parameters, and Stress Hormones in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients Undergoing Matrix Treatment Model: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background: Methamphetamine (METH) dependence is an increasing public health problem with a wide range of mental and physical adverse effects. Recent studies report that oxytocin (OXT) has potential therapeutic properties in drug dependence. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of OXT on craving, mental health (depression and anxiety), and stress hormones (ACTH and cortisol) in METH-dependent patients undergoing matrix treatment model (MTM), an intensive outpatient approach for stimulant abuse treatment. Methods: This randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 42 METH-dependent patients undergoing MTM to receive either intranasal OXT 40 IU (n = 21) or normal saline as placebo (n = 21) for 4 weeks. Clinical and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and end of trials in METH-dependent patients. Results: Our findings indicated that OXT administration for 4 weeks is associated with a significant improvement in the craving and depression scores, respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference for anxiety scores compared with the placebo group. In addition, OXT administration significantly decreased cortisol (p < 0.001) and ACTH levels (p < 0.002). Conclusions: These findings suggest that OXT can be considered as a new potential therapeutic for the treatment of METH-dependent patients undergoing MTM. Further studies are required to explore the effectiveness and safety of OXT.

Associations between alexithymia, parental rearing styles, and frequency of drug use in male methamphetamine dependence patients

BackgroundAlexithymia, which is characterized by difficulty identifying and describing feelings, is a stable personality trait and it has been associated with early life experiences. Methamphetamine dependence patients with high level of alexithymia may be particularly vulnerable to engaging in more frequent methamphetamine use. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether alexithymia was associated with frequency of methamphetamine use. Additionally, the current study sought to examine early-life factors associated with the development of alexithymia, i.e., parental rearing styles.MethodParticipants were 108 non-injecting methamphetamine dependent patients from a male compulsory detoxification center. The level of alexithymia was assessed by Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20(TAS-20). In addition, we applied Egna Minneu av. Bardndosnauppforstran (EMBU) to assess the parental rearing styles, including the dimensions of warmth, rejection, punishment/strictness, overinvolvement, overprotection, and favoring.ResultsThe total score of TAS-20 was positively correlated with frequency of methamphetamine use (r = 0.26, p < 0.01). Specifically, except for externally oriented thinking, difficulty identifying feelings (r = 0.23, p < 0.05) and difficulty describing feelings (r = 0.25, p < 0.05) were positively correlated with frequency of methamphetamine use. Multiple linear regression showed that more maternal rejection (B = 0.59, p = 0.002), or less maternal warmth (B = -0.22, p = 0.004) was associated with higher levels of alexithymia. Ordinal logistic regression showed that for every 1 score increase in the total score of TAS-20, there was a 1.06 times risk of a one level increase in the level of methamphetamine use frequency (OR = 1.06, p = 0.01).ConclusionsThese results have major implications for understanding the role of alexithymia in craving and addiction, while providing a further and explicit entry point for addiction treatment. Moreover, more attention should be focused on parenting in relation to early experiences.

Differences in cognitive deficits in patients with methamphetamine and heroin use disorder compared with healthy controls in a Chinese Han population

Background and aimsTo date, the pattern of heroin- and methamphetamine-induced cognitive impairment is unclear, especially in the Chinese population. The aim of this study was to compare the similarity and heterogeneity of cognitive impairment between heroin and methamphetamine-dependent patients and to link cognitive impairment to drug-related variables. Methods567 pure methamphetamine patients, 78 pure heroin patients and 201 healthy volunteers participated in this study. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was used to assess cognitive function including immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional index, language, attention, delayed memory, and total scores. ResultsMethamphetamine-dependent and heroin-dependent patients performed significantly worse on all RBANS subtest and total scores (all p < 0.05). Moreover, methamphetamine-dependent patients had more delayed memory impairment than heroin-dependent patients (p = 0.02). In addition, some drug-related variables, such as duration of abstinence, age at first drug use, and duration of drug use, were independently associated with memory and visuospatial/constructional index in methamphetamine patients (all p < 0.05). In contrast, none of the drug-related variables were associated with cognitive performance in heroin patients (all p > 0.05). ConclusionsChronic heroin and methamphetamine patients may exhibit different patterns of cognitive deficits.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention on Chinese Methamphetamine Dependent Patients: A Pilot Study.

Methamphetamine use is a serious problem in China. Compulsory isolation detoxification is the main treatment measure for drug dependents, whereas psychological interventions in compulsory isolation detoxification centers are extremely inadequate. The current study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) on methamphetamine dependence patients in Chinese compulsory isolation detoxification treatment institutions. Forty-one methamphetamine dependent patients received 16-sessions of MBRP in 8 weeks and assessments were conducted at the baseline, 4-, 8-week (after the whole intervention). Results of repeated measured ANOVAs showed there was no significant effect on emotions and cravings. Findings indicated that the effects of MBRP are still difficult to make firm conclusions due to the insignificant results. Future studies should modify the MBRP and ensure that it is suitable for compulsory isolation detoxification treatment institutions in China.

Effects of Acute Moderate- and High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Oxygenation in Prefrontal Cortex of Male Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients.

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of different intensities of acute aerobic exercise on brain activation in male methamphetamine (MA)-dependent patients during exercise. Twenty MA-dependent patients were divided randomly into two groups participating in 35 min of either moderate- or high-intensity aerobic exercise. Functional near-infrared spectral imaging (fNIRS) was used to detect hemodynamic changes in prefrontal cortex during the main 25-min exercise stage. The results revealed that high-intensity acute aerobic exercise aroused more cerebral oxygenation changes in the prefrontal cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during exercise as compared with moderate-intensity exercise. Furthermore, there was a stronger positive connection observed between orbital frontal cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the high-intensity group than in the moderate-intensity group. Together these results suggest that for submaximal exercise intensities, high-intensity exercise may bring more benefits to male MA-dependent patients than moderate-intensity.

Psychiatric Comorbidity and Psychopathology of Methamphetamine Users—Are There Gender Differences?

Methamphetamine use disorder is associated with severe psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial problems. Women seem to be more affected than men. Therefore, this study examined psychiatric comorbidities and psychopathology, drug use patterns, and treatment outcomes in women addicted to methamphetamine compared to men. Data on methamphetamine-dependent inpatients were collected in two centers specialized for addiction treatment at admission (T0) and discharge (T1, after treatment for 24 weeks). Sociodemographic and clinical measures were collected with the semi-structured clinical interview I at baseline; the self-reported standardized questionnaire (SCL-90-R) was administered at admission and discharge and after 24 weeks. During the entire treatment procedure, treatment relevant aspects were monitored. Out of all 108 treatment-seeking participants (86 men, 22 women), 64 completed the study (51 men, 13 women; drop-out rate: 40.7% (n = 44)). Methamphetamine-dependent women used other stimulants more often than men, while men used hallucinogens significantly more frequently than women. Female inpatients differed significantly from men in various sociodemographic variables (e.g., having children, single parenting) and were significantly more often affected by current (p < 0.001) and lifetime mental stress disorders (p < 0.001), as well as specific psychiatric disorders (p < 0.001) (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder). At discharge, mental symptoms decreased significantly in men but not in women. Both before and after treatment, women seem to be more vulnerable to psychiatric comorbidities and psychopathologic symptoms compared to men. Although this study only provides preliminary data on gender-specific characteristics of methamphetamine-dependent patients and their treatment, it seems appropriate to discuss the development of gender-specific treatment options. Further studies in this field are needed.

The Relationship between Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Drug Craving in Chinese Male Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients: The Mediating Role of Anxiety

The Relationship between Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Drug Craving in Chinese Male Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients: The Mediating Role of Anxiety