Amfetamine and methamphetamine use disorder

Advise patients to:

1. Avoid further use of amfetamines or any other stimulant.

2. Enrol in a drug treatment programme.

However, in practice, not all people with amfetamine/methamphetamine use disorders will be interested in substance use treatment at any one point in time. Harm reduction strategies are especially important for this group.

For people continuing to use drugs, harm reduction strategies include offering information and advice on:[24]Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Treatment for stimulant use disorders: updated 2021. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) series, no. 33. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 1999 (updated 2021). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576541 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35041354?tool=bestpractice.com

• Needle/syringe exchange

• Use of clean supplies for drug use

• Avoidance of using substances alone

• Avoidance of mixing substances

• Fentanyl test strips (to identify drugs laced with fentanyl)

• Naloxone

• Prevention of HIV/hepatitis A/sexually transmitted infections

• Access to other supportive resources (e.g., housing, employment, etc.)

Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous may be of benefit: Narcotics Anonymous Opens in new window​​

In the UK, FRANK is a free 24-hour drug advice service primarily aimed at young people and parents: FRANK: honest information about drugs Opens in new window