The continued rise of methamphetamine use among people who use heroin in the United States

Justin C. Strickland, William W. Stoops, Kelly E. Dunn, Kirsten E. Smith, Jennifer R. Havens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Methamphetamine use is a growing public health concern in the United States. Prior analyses with nationally representative data from 2015 to 2017 suggested that increases in methamphetamine use appeared largely selective to people using heroin. This analysis updated prior estimates to determine if trends are selectively persistent and how they compare to historical trends. We also evaluate sociodemographic risk factors associated with methamphetamine use among people using heroin. Methods: Data from the 2015–2019 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed. Data from the 2006–2014 NSDUH were summarized for historical trends. Past month and past year methamphetamine use prevalence was determined within populations using heroin as well as those using other drugs (e.g., cocaine, cannabis). Multivariable logistic models accounting for complex survey design evaluated predictors of methamphetamine use among people using heroin. Results: From 2015 to 2019, past month methamphetamine use increased from 9.0% to 44.0% within the population of people reporting past month heroin use. Similarly, past year methamphetamine use increased from 22.5% to 46.7% among those reporting past year heroin use. Risk factors for methamphetamine use among people using heroin included rurality, past year injection drug use, and serious mental illness. Conclusions: A rapid, selective, and sustained increase in methamphetamine use is evident among people using heroin. These findings combined with similar findings in treatment admission and overdose data emphasize the need for increased attention to a specific type of high-risk use pattern in the United States, an issue that appears increasingly unlikely to naturally resolve.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108750
JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume225
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Funding

Support for JCS was provided by NIDA T32DA07209 . JRH was supported by NIDA R01DA033862 . Support for KES was provided by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH NIDA . In the past 3 years, KED has served as a consultant for Beckley-Canopy Therapeutics, Canopy Corporation, and Grünenthal, Inc. All other authors report no financial disclosures. Support for JCS was provided by NIDAT32DA07209. JRH was supported by NIDA R01DA033862. Support for KES was provided by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH NIDA. In the past 3 years, KED has served as a consultant for Beckley-Canopy Therapeutics, Canopy Corporation, and Grünenthal, Inc. All other authors report no financial disclosures.

FundersFunder number
Beckley-Canopy Therapeutics
Canopy Growth Corporation
NIDAT32DA07209
NIH/NIDA
National Institute on Drug AbuseR01DA033862, T32DA007209

    Keywords

    • Injection
    • Opioid
    • Polydrug
    • Rural
    • Stimulant

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Toxicology
    • Pharmacology
    • Psychiatry and Mental health
    • Pharmacology (medical)

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