Young men most vulnerable to stimulant abuse

Over 8% of men aged between 16 and 29 years can be classed as having a lifetime “stimulant use disorder”, which means they have misused or have been dependent on the drugs, according to Dr Grant Sara, a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, and coauthors.

The figure is more than double that of the broader population. Overall, 3.3% of Australians were identified by researchers as having a lifetime stimulant use disorder based on data from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

The findings also emphasise the addictive nature of stimulants. Nearly half of those who had used them on more than five occasions met the criteria for a lifetime stimulant use disorder, the authors found.

The authors pointed out that stimulant use disorders are most common in younger men, who are most vulnerable to the development of psychosis.

“This finding is of concern given that stimulants may interact with other risk factors in the development of psychosis,” the authors said.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr Rebecca McKetin, a mental health research fellow at the Australian National University, and Dr Dan Lubman, director of the Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre at Monash University, noted that heavy stimulant use is also associated with other serious health problems, including HIV and other blood-borne viruses and sexually transmitted diseases.

“More work is needed to develop and implement effective treatment options for heavy users of stimulants,” the authors said.

Use of amphetamines, especially when taken intravenously, was also found to be among the risk factors for ischaemic stroke in young people, according to another study published in the same issue.

Dr James Leyden, a neurologist from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, and coauthors found that 15.6% of stroke sufferers aged between 15 and 50 years had used illicit drugs, mostly amphetamines or marijuana.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA  reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.

CONTACTS:               Prof Dan Lubman                                       0408 284 178

                               Dr Rebecca McKetin                                     0406 538 259

                               Dr Grant Sara                                             0421 611 751

                               Dr James Leyden                                        0400 399 950

                               Dr Matthew Phillips                                      0434 018 751