Sociodemographic findings and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses in methamphetamine dependence – results of a German multicenter longitudinal study

Background Methamphetamine (MA) use is increasing but there is not much research about possible associations regarding comorbidities, impacts on treatment success or gender differences. Additionally, the use of MA has strong neurobiological impacts on the monoamine systems, which can be involved in the development of comorbid psychiatric disorders. The poster provides comparisons and information about the sociodemographic composition of current MA users in general and selected group separations (men vs. women, different centers, primary MA consumers vs. multiple substances consumers and treatment completer vs. non-completers), as well as an overview about comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. All data was collected within a longitudinal multicenter study founded by the German federal ministry of health.

Methods Comparisons between the different groups regarding selected sociodemographic and cognitive variables were computed. Diagnosed disorders were recorded at admission and discharge. Comparisons regarding the centers, the early dropouts and completers as well as the gender groups were made.

Results The average age of the 108 participants was 31.67 years, the majority was single or unmarried, living alone and had a lower type of education without employment. The mean duration of MA use was 11.5 years. Results show no clear evidence for cognitive impairments, 95.4% had a psychiatric comorbidity. The mean number of substance related comorbidities was 2.2 at admission and 2.14 at discharge, the mean number of non-substance related diagnoses was 0.55 at admission and 0.65 at discharge. The number of substance related diagnoses at admission predicted treatment dropout. At admission, women had significantly more non-substance related diagnoses than men. At discharge, men showed significantly more addiction-related diagnoses than women.

Conclusion Options for treatment improvement for MA users and the different group representatives, the comorbidity rates and their influences on the treatment outcome as well as their relationship with possible differences in consumption motives are discussed. Unidentified and thus untreated comorbid disorders may be a reason for premature treatment termination.