- Nearly twice as many males use methamphetamine than females
- Males typically use methamphetamine for longer periods of time
- Females are more likely to use methamphetamine to lose weight and/or as a way to cope with childhood sexual abuse
- Among adolescents who use methamphetamine, boys are more likely to start at a younger age

Sex Differences in Epidemiology of Methamphetamine Use

Genetic Variabilities Among Males and Females with Methamphetamine Use Disorder

While there are no FDA-approved medications for methamphetamine use disorder (MUD),  current data indicates that there are differences in responses to drugs used to attempt to treat MUD.  Responses to psychotherapeutic interventions also differ.

Sex Differences in Methamphetamine Use Disorder Therapeutic Responses

There is increased risk of hypertension, myocardial complications, and strokes among all individuals with MUD. Drug-induce pulmonary arterial hypertension has been found to be higher in female methamphetamine users In contrast, male users were found to suffer from a higher prevalence of methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy,  hypertension, severe stenosis, myocyte hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis.

Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Effects of Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Of veterans receiving outpatient care at Veterans’ Affairs hospitals, ICU admission within 1 year was 2% for abstinent patients versus 2.5% for severe alcohol misuse. Once discharged from the hospital probability of readmission within one year is 48% for abstinent patients versus 55% for patients with severe alcohol misuse. 

ICU Admissions and Alcohol Misuse

Mental Health issues include: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Alexithymia, and Work Fatigue 

Alcohol Use Disorder, also known as AUD, is linked to an assortment of other health issues, both physically and mentally 

People addicted to alcohol (those with AUD) were studied to see whether they showed insecure attachment styles. Those with anxious-ambivalent and avoidant styles were seen in higher numbers in those with AUD.

Insecure Attachment Styles Linked with AUD

Women are noted to be more sensitive to cognitive and behavioral changes as a result of methamphetamine usage, including:
- Higher impulsivity
-  Higher rates of hypersomnia
-  Increased anxiety
- Greater severity  and prevalence of psychosis, bulimia nervosa, depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, and sleep problems

However, men are more likely to complete suicide.

Sex Differences in Methamphetamine-Induced Behavioral and Cognitive Changes 

Health Psychology research studies relating to Substance Abuse include

- ICU Admissions and Alcohol Misuse
- Factors Associated with AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder)
- Alcohol Use and Gender



University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Cleveland State University

New Mexico Highlands University

Health Psychology research studies relating to specific mental health signs and/or symptoms can be categorized into
- Self-harm
-	Self-Isolation
-	Substance Abuse
-	Suicide
- Trauma (Psychological)


Health Psychology Research Relating to Specific Mental Health Harms, Injuries, Signs, & Symptoms

It is a mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medication. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe, with addiction being the most powerful form of SUDs.

Substance Use Disorder

Daiwile, A. P., Jayanthi, S., &amp; Cadet, J. L. (2022). Sex differences in methamphetamine use disorder perused from pre-clinical and clinical studies: Potential therapeutic impacts. Neuroscience &amp; Biobehavioral Reviews, 137, 104674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104674 

Sex differences in methamphetamine use disorder perused from pre-clinical
and clinical studies: Potential therapeutic impacts

Health Psychology research studies relating to Self-Isolation include
- TBD


Health Psychology Research Relating to Self-Isolation

Health Psychology Research Relating to Substance Abuse

Health Psychology research studies relating to Suicide include
- Suicide stigma and secrecy can contribute to increased suicidality
- Suicide screening tools
- Pediatric suicidal ideation
- Suicide and criminal justice population


Health Psychology Research Relating to Suicide

Health Psychology research studies relating to trauma (psychological) more generally, excluding specific trauma related disorders, include
- Childhood Trauma

- TBD 

Health Psychology Research Relating to Trauma (Psychological)

Health psychology research relating to self- harm includes:
- Risk assessment
- Risk management
- Self-harm and causes
- Stigma contributing to risk for self-harm

Health Psychology Research Relating to Self-Harm

Addictions counseling, also called substance abuse counseling, is a specialization in counseling that focuses on treating individuals with a dependency on drugs or alcohol.

Addictions Counseling

Mindfulness has been studied for its usage in those suffering from addiction to substances. Mindfulness has been shown in some scenarios to be effective in decreasing addictive behaviors in people addicted to substances such as opioids, heroin, cocaine, drinking, and smoking. 

Mindfulness for those suffering from substance use disorder

Symptoms include: 
-Sudden weight loss or gain
-Pupils that are smaller or larger than usual
-bloodshot eyes
-changes in appetite and sleeping patterns
-slurred speech
-impaired coordination or tremors 
-deterioration of the physical appearance or changes in grooming practices
running nose



Substance Use Disorder Symptons 

Occurs after the body has adapted to the drug's presence after a period of time. When the drug is abruptly removed, it can cause a variety of physical symptoms. In some cases, this can be dangerous.

Substance Withdrawal Disorder

- Theories include opponent, inhibitory control, reward deficiency, incentive sensitization, aberrant learning, and anti-reward theory 

Neuroadaptive Theories in Addiction/Craving

A chronic syndrome characterized by anterograde and retrograde amnesia due to alcoholism, along with other cognitive deficits. It is caused by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), which damages neurons. It can also involve deficits in executive functioning, apathy, and social impairments. 

Korsakoff's Syndrome

Alcohol abuse is responsible for one in eight deaths among older Americans. It is predicted that there will be an increase in illicit drug use and alcohol abuse among the baby boomer cohort as many have showcased addiction to prescription medication in the past.

Substance Abuse in Geriatric People 

AUDIT-C is a screener test for evaluating current alcohol consumption risk. 

Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-C)

Alcohol Use Disorder is characterized by symptoms such as alcohol craving, recurrent use of alcohol that interferes with the fulfillment of one’s daily responsibilities, alcohol-seeking behavior, inability to control one’s drinking, drinking despite potential hazards (e.g., drinking while driving), the need for increased amounts of alcohol to achieve its effects (tolerance), and withdrawal symptoms when one stops or reduces alcohol intake (e.g., hand tremors, nausea, agitation, hallucinations). The disorder is distinguished as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number of these symptoms that an individual may have: Mild cases present with two to three symptoms; moderate cases four to five symptoms; and severe cases six or more symptoms.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are a category of drugs that increase nervous system activity. This group includes cocaine, amphetamines, cathinones, and MDMA, which act as dopamine agonists. Other stimulants like nicotine and caffeine function by affecting acetylcholine and adenosine neurotransmitter systems, respectively.

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