Zhao et al reported factors associated with methamphetamine withdrawal in a person who injects drugs (PWID). These can help to identify a person who may benefit from an intervention to reduce health risks. The authors are from the University of Southern California and RTI International in Los Angeles.
Patient selection: person who injects methamphetamine with or without other drugs
Withdrawal symptoms for methamphetamine:
(1) are common in this population
(2) can occur weekly
(3) may be extremely painful
Predictors of methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms:
(1) more frequent methamphetamine use
(2) oral tranquilizer use
(3) not using crack cocaine
Predictors of weekly withdrawal symptoms:
(1) female sex
(2) receptive syringe sharing (use of a syringe already used by someone else)
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