Presence and persistence of psychotic symptoms in cocaine- versus methamphetamine-dependent participants

Am J Addict. 2008 Mar-Apr;17(2):83-98. doi: 10.1080/10550490701861201.

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to compare and contrast psychotic symptoms reported by cocaine- and methamphetamine-dependent individuals. Participants included 27 cocaine-dependent and 25 methamphetamine-dependent males, as well as 15 cocaine-dependent and 18 methamphetamine-dependent females. After screening, participants were excluded if they met criteria for any Axis I diagnosis other than nicotine dependence, or methamphetamine or cocaine dependence (ie, participants had to use either methamphetamine or cocaine but were excluded if they met dependence criteria for both). The participants were administered the newly developed Psychotic Symptom Assessment Scale (PSAS), which assesses psychotic symptoms. A high proportion of both cocaine- and methamphetamine-dependent men and women reported delusions of paranoia and auditory hallucinations. However, during the abstinent and intoxicated conditions, methamphetamine-dependent men and women were more likely than cocaine-dependent men and women to report psychotic symptoms. Future studies will compare psychotic symptoms reported by non-dependent recreational stimulant users to stimulant-dependent individuals.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / toxicity*
  • Cocaine / toxicity*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Culture
  • Delusions / chemically induced
  • Delusions / diagnosis
  • Delusions / psychology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hallucinations / chemically induced
  • Hallucinations / diagnosis
  • Hallucinations / psychology
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Methamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Middle Aged
  • Paranoid Disorders / chemically induced
  • Paranoid Disorders / diagnosis
  • Paranoid Disorders / psychology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / diagnosis*
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / epidemiology
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / psychology
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / psychology

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Methamphetamine
  • Cocaine