DASIS Report: Primary Methamphetamine / Amphetamine Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment: 2005

Methamphetamine and amphetamines are highly addictive central nervous system stimulants. Methamphetamine and amphetamine abuse can lead to serious health consequences, such as rapid or irregular heartbeats, dental problems, mood disturbances, impaired memory, and chronic psychiatric problems.

From 1995 to 2005, the percentage of substance abuse treatment admissions for primary abuse of methamphetamine/amphetamine more than doubled from 4 percent to 9 percent.

This new report from SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies examines the characteristics of substance abuse treatment admissions in which methamphetamine/amphetamine was the primary substance of abuse and compares them with admissions in which other substances were primary.

The following are brief findings found in the report:

In 2005, 169,500 admissions were for primary methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse, representing 9 percent of all admissions
Primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions were more likely to be female than admissions for other primary substances (46 vs. 31 percent)
The criminal justice system was the principal source of referral for 49 percent of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions compared with 34 percent of other admissions

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/methamphetamineTX/meth.pdf

493KB

Publication Year: 2008

Publisher

Office of Applied Studies (OAS)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
1 Choke Cherry Road
Rockville, md 20857
Phone: 240-276-1250
Website: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/