PHYSICAL AND MENTAL-HEALTH PROBLEMS IN AMPHETAMINE USERS FROM METROPOLITAN ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA

Phase I of this study was designed to inform the development of a rang e of responses to hazardous and harmful amphetamine use. Research tech niques from Rapid Assessment Methodology'(RAM) were utilized to collec t data. A survey of current amphetamine users included the Short Form 36 (SF36) Health Status Questionnaire, for which South Australian popu lation norms were published in 1995, This facilitated comparisons of t he health of this sample of amphetamine users with that of the general population. The sample were found to have significantly poorer health than the general population. The self-reported prevalence of mental h ealth problems in the sample was consistent with previous Australian r esearch on amphetamine use. Approximately one-third of the sample repo rted that they had experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, mood s wings and aggressive outbursts prior to their use of amphetamines. Two -thirds of the sample reported symptoms of anxiety and depression sinc e starting to use amphetamines, almost half reported mood swings and a ggressive outbursts, and over a third reported panic attacks and paran oia, One of the most important findings was a strong association betwe en mental and physical health problems and the severity of dependence on amphetamines. The implications of these results for interventions w ith amphetamine users are discussed.