Patterns and Characteristics of Amphetamine-type Stimulant Use in a North-eastern State of India: A Cross-sectional Study
Background: South Asia generally reports low levels of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use, with few studies on the pattern of ATS use. We assessed the pattern of ATS use and associated high-risk behavior in Manipur, a north-eastern state of India. Methods: 209 adult male ATS users (mean age 28.8 y...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176241236899 |
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| author | Ravindra Rao Ragul Ganesh Kunal Kishore Ira Madan Bhagwati Khandpal Charanjit Sharma |
| author_facet | Ravindra Rao Ragul Ganesh Kunal Kishore Ira Madan Bhagwati Khandpal Charanjit Sharma |
| author_sort | Ravindra Rao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: South Asia generally reports low levels of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use, with few studies on the pattern of ATS use. We assessed the pattern of ATS use and associated high-risk behavior in Manipur, a north-eastern state of India. Methods: 209 adult male ATS users (mean age 28.8 years) from three districts of Manipur were interviewed. Data were collected on the patterns of high-risk behavior with ATS use, health consequences, and help-seeking. The severity of use with various substances was assessed using the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Depression and anxiety were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, respectively. Results: The mean duration of ATS use was 3.7 years (SD 2.3). The majority used ATS almost daily (88%) and depended on ATS (77%). Methamphetamine (99.5%) was the most used ATS orally. Around 87% also suffered from opioid dependence. About 76% injected drugs, most commonly heroin. Almost three-fourths (78%) used ATS before their sexual intercourse, 31% of whom did not use condoms. Most reported physical problems with ATS and had above-cut-off scores on PHQ-9 and GAD-7. The majority (95%) reported that they could procure ATS easily. Also, the majority (93%) had thought of quitting ATS use. Conclusions: Most ATS users start using ATS at a young age and have comorbid other drug use, including heroin. ATS use is associated with various physical and psychological problems. Focusing on ATS use in India and developing strategies to address this problem is essential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bcf97e37e0cf46c1a22aa132b0f338c2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0253-7176 0975-1564 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-bcf97e37e0cf46c1a22aa132b0f338c22025-08-20T02:34:24ZengSAGE PublishingIndian Journal of Psychological Medicine0253-71760975-15642025-05-014710.1177/02537176241236899Patterns and Characteristics of Amphetamine-type Stimulant Use in a North-eastern State of India: A Cross-sectional StudyRavindra Rao0Ragul Ganesh1Kunal Kishore2Ira Madan3Bhagwati Khandpal4Charanjit Sharma5 Dept. of Psychiatry, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Vijapur, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Alliance India, Zamrudpur, New Delhi, India. National AIDS Control Organisation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India. YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education, New Delhi, India. Indian Drug Users Forum, New Delhi, India.Background: South Asia generally reports low levels of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use, with few studies on the pattern of ATS use. We assessed the pattern of ATS use and associated high-risk behavior in Manipur, a north-eastern state of India. Methods: 209 adult male ATS users (mean age 28.8 years) from three districts of Manipur were interviewed. Data were collected on the patterns of high-risk behavior with ATS use, health consequences, and help-seeking. The severity of use with various substances was assessed using the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Depression and anxiety were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, respectively. Results: The mean duration of ATS use was 3.7 years (SD 2.3). The majority used ATS almost daily (88%) and depended on ATS (77%). Methamphetamine (99.5%) was the most used ATS orally. Around 87% also suffered from opioid dependence. About 76% injected drugs, most commonly heroin. Almost three-fourths (78%) used ATS before their sexual intercourse, 31% of whom did not use condoms. Most reported physical problems with ATS and had above-cut-off scores on PHQ-9 and GAD-7. The majority (95%) reported that they could procure ATS easily. Also, the majority (93%) had thought of quitting ATS use. Conclusions: Most ATS users start using ATS at a young age and have comorbid other drug use, including heroin. ATS use is associated with various physical and psychological problems. Focusing on ATS use in India and developing strategies to address this problem is essential.https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176241236899 |
| spellingShingle | Ravindra Rao Ragul Ganesh Kunal Kishore Ira Madan Bhagwati Khandpal Charanjit Sharma Patterns and Characteristics of Amphetamine-type Stimulant Use in a North-eastern State of India: A Cross-sectional Study Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine |
| title | Patterns and Characteristics of Amphetamine-type Stimulant Use in a North-eastern State of India: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_full | Patterns and Characteristics of Amphetamine-type Stimulant Use in a North-eastern State of India: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_fullStr | Patterns and Characteristics of Amphetamine-type Stimulant Use in a North-eastern State of India: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patterns and Characteristics of Amphetamine-type Stimulant Use in a North-eastern State of India: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_short | Patterns and Characteristics of Amphetamine-type Stimulant Use in a North-eastern State of India: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_sort | patterns and characteristics of amphetamine type stimulant use in a north eastern state of india a cross sectional study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176241236899 |
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