Areca quid chewing and methamphetamine use in Taiwanese adolescents

The association between areca quid chewing and methamphetamine (MAMP) use in Taiwanese adolescents was examined in 200 MAMP users and 400 non-users. Subjects were interviewed individually regarding the experience of chewing areca quid and the evidence of lifetime areca quid use disorder. The ages at which they initially chewed areca quid and used MAMP were also evaluated. The results revealed that areca quid chewing and areca quid use disorders were more common in both male and female MAMP users than in non-users. Among those who chewed areca quid and used MAMP, the mean age at initial MAMP use was older than the mean age at initial chewing of areca quid in males but not in females. MAMP users who chewed areca quid were subdivided into three groups according to the sequence of initial MAMP use and chewing areca quid. Although most males and females started chewing areca quid before using MAMP, this pattern was more prevalent in males. Adolescent MAMP users need to be educated about deleterious health sequelae caused by chewing areca quid. Adolescent areca quid chewers need to be monitored for possible progression to MAMP use.