The risk of psychotic symptoms associated with recreational methamphetamine use

  1. REBECCA MCKETIN1,*,
  2. KARINA HICKEY1,2,
  3. KRISTINA DEVLIN2,
  4. KERRI LAWRENCE2

Article first published online: 19 JAN 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2009.00160.x

Issue

Drug and Alcohol Review

Drug and Alcohol Review

Volume 29, Issue 4, pages 358–363, July 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

MCKETIN, R., HICKEY, K., DEVLIN, K. and LAWRENCE, K. (2010), The risk of psychotic symptoms associated with recreational methamphetamine use. Drug and Alcohol Review, 29: 358–363. doi: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2009.00160.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, and

  2. 2

    Manly Drug Education and Counselling Centre, Sydney, Australia

*Rebecca McKetin BSc (Psychol) Hons, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, Karina Hickey BBHS Hons, Reseach Officer, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Kristina Devlin BA (Visual Arts), Grad. Dip. Alcohol and Drug Studies, KIS Coordinator, Manly Drug Education and Counselling Centre, Kerri Lawrence Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing, Grad. Dip. Health Sc. (Clinical Drug Dependence Studies), MHA, Manager, Manly Drug Education and Counselling Centre. Dr Rebecca McKetin, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Tel: +61 29385 0290; Fax: + 61 29385 0222; E-mail: r.mcketin@unsw.edu.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 5 JUL 2010
  2. Article first published online: 19 JAN 2010
  3. Received 7 July 2009; accepted for publication 28 October 2009.

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Keywords:

  • methamphetamine;
  • psychosis;
  • mental health;
  • stimulant;
  • recreational drug use

Abstract

Introduction and Aims. To determine whether recreational methamphetamine use is associated with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms. Design and Method. A cross-sectional survey of 157 people attending dance events in Sydney, Australia. Participants were assessed for psychotic symptoms in the past year using items from the Psychosis Screen. Participants with and without psychotic symptoms were compared on methamphetamine use, polydrug use and other demographic factors. An ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the probability of psychotic symptoms by methamphetamine use and level of polydrug use. Results. Psychotic symptoms in the past year were predicted by methamphetamine use and heavier polydrug use in the past year, and a history of a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective or bipolar affective disorder). After removing participants with a history of a psychotic disorder (n = 16) and adjusting for polydrug use, methamphetamine use increased the probability of two or more psychotic symptoms (indicative of psychosis risk) from 9% to 21%. There was a non-significant increase in the risk of psychotic symptoms with higher levels of polydrug use. Methamphetamine use was typically monthly or less often (83%), and most users described their use as recreational (85%). Discussion and Conclusions. Within the context of polydrug use, recreational methamphetamine use is associated with a twofold to threefold increase in the probability of psychotic symptoms.[McKetin R, Hickey K, Devlin K, Lawrence K. The risk of psychotic symptoms associated with recreational methamphetamine use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]

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