Increased demand for amphetamine treatment in rural Australia
Julaine Allan1,2, Ryan H L Ip3, Michael Kemp4
1Lives Lived Well, Orange, NSW, Australia. julaine.allan@liveslivedwell.org.au.
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice
|April 2, 2019
Summary
Methamphetamine treatment episodes have doubled, now surpassing alcohol as the primary concern. Services must adapt to treat younger individuals, women, and Indigenous people, who are increasingly seeking help.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Substance Use Disorders
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Substance treatment episodes for methamphetamine use have significantly increased, indicating a potential shift in the patient population.
- This rise necessitates the development of targeted treatment programs to address evolving needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe changes in amphetamine treatment presentations over time in a rural New South Wales (NSW) drug and alcohol agency.
- To examine how patient characteristics influence the likelihood of receiving amphetamine treatment compared to other substances.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Australian Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set (AODTS-NMDS) for closed treatment episodes from three distinct periods.
- Employed logistic regression to analyze demographic and socioeconomic factors (age, sex, Indigenous status, accommodation, referral source, income source) influencing amphetamine treatment likelihood.
Main Results:
- Amphetamine treatment episodes doubled between 2006/2007 and 2015/2016, becoming the most common principal drug of concern, exceeding alcohol.
- Increases in amphetamine treatment were observed across all age groups and both sexes.
- Younger individuals, women, those experiencing homelessness or temporary accommodation, self-referred individuals, and those without employment income were more likely to receive amphetamine treatment.
Conclusions:
- Shifting demographics in amphetamine treatment (younger individuals, women, Indigenous people) require tailored service delivery.
- Treatment providers need to adapt to the specific needs of younger women using amphetamines, moving beyond traditional treatment models for cannabis and alcohol users.
- Further research into women's treatment experiences and outcomes is crucial for refining effective treatment practices.
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