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Examining the temporal relationship between methamphetamine use and mental health comorbidity
- Authors:
- LEE Nicole K., HARNEY Angela M., PENNAY Amy E.
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 5(1), 2012, pp.23-31.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Methamphetamine users experience frequent and severe mental health problems. This paper examined the temporal sequencing of methamphetamine use and the onset of mental health problems. A self-reported timeline examined the sequencing of first use, regular use and problematic use of methamphetamine and mental health issues among 126 users with lifetime dependence (71% men, average age 32.5 years, 84% Australian born). The majority of the sample (69 per cent) reported previous mental health diagnosis or treatment. Of these, 22 per cent reported mental health problems prior to first use of methamphetamine and 72 per cent after (with the rest same time or unsure). On the timeline, mental health symptoms were first indicated around a year after first regular use of methamphetamine and around the same time as problematic use. Respondents identified a lag time of five years between first problematic use of methamphetamine and seeking treatment for methamphetamine-related problems, but those that received mental health treatment engaged in methamphetamine treatment earlier. The authors conclude that mental health problems coincided with problematic methamphetamine use (rather than any use) suggesting interventions may be better directed at preventing transition to heavy use, more potent forms or injecting, rather than at prevention of uptake. On this basis, stepped care might be appropriate for methamphetamine users.