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The role of substitute therapy in the treatment of problem amphetamine use
Author(s) -
KLEE HILARY,
WRIGHT SAMANTHA,
CARNWATH TOM,
MERRILL JOHN
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1080/09595230120092715
Subject(s) - amphetamine , medical prescription , agency (philosophy) , treatment and control groups , medicine , qualitative research , psychology , psychiatry , family medicine , nursing , social science , philosophy , epistemology , pathology , sociology , dopamine , endocrinology
The aim of the project was to examine the effectiveness of treatment services for amphetamine users in the North West of England. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted by researchers in a longitudinal matched case‐control design in which each client was matched with an amphetamine user not in contact with services. Interviews yielded quantitative data which were subjected to standard statistical tests, and also rich qualitative data that provided further insights into their attitudes and behaviour. This paper reports on the subgroup of drug agency clients who were prescribed dexamphetamine (PDAs) and the changes in their use of street amphetamine. Analyses comparing prescribed clients with their controls revealed a significant reduction in amount and frequency of street amphetamine consumption over the first 3 months of treatment. Such changes in amphetamine use were most marked in the first month of treatment. Comparisons between PDAs and clients in treatment but not receiving a prescription (NPDAs) revealed that the reduction in amount was greater for the prescribed clients. There was no difference in the frequency of use between these client groups. Different patterns of change were observed among injecting clients. Retention in treatment was significantly greater for PDAs. Clients' compliance with treatment regimens and the concerns of health professionals about substitute prescribing with dexamphetamine were revealed through qualitative analyses.