Resurgent Methamphetamine Use at Treatment Admission in the United States, 2008-2017

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate trends and correlates of methamphetamine use in the United States.Methods. Data are from 15 747 334 drug-related treatment admissions among persons aged 12 years or older in the 2008-2017 Treatment Episode Data Set. We analyzed trends and used multivariable logistic regression.Results. Methamphetamine-related admissions increased from 15.1% of drug-related treatment admissions in 2008 to 23.6% in 2017. Increases occurred among nearly all demographic groups. Methamphetamine injection increased from 17.5% of admissions in 2008 to 28.4% in 2017. Among methamphetamine-related admissions, heroin use increased from 5.3% of admissions in 2008 to 23.6% in 2017. Characteristics associated with increased odds of reporting methamphetamine use at admission included female sex; admissions aged 35 to 44 years; admissions in the Midwest, South, and West; unemployment; not in labor force; living dependent; living homeless; and having a referral from criminal justice, a health care provider, or other community treatment source.Conclusions. Treatment admissions involving methamphetamine use increased significantly over the past decade and appear to be linked to the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States. Efforts to mobilize public health prevention, treatment, and response strategies to address rising methamphetamine use and overdose are needed.

FIGURE 1—

Percentage of Treatment Admissions Reporting Methamphetamine Use Among Drug-Related Treatment Admissions (a) Overall and by Sex, (b) by Age Group, (c) by Race/Ethnicity, and (d) by US Census Region: United States, 2008–2017 Note. AI/AN = American Indian/Alaska Native; NH = non-Hispanic. Percentage of drug-related treatment admissions reporting any methamphetamine use. Any methamphetamine treatment admissions were defined as treatment admissions in which methamphetamine was listed as a primary, secondary, or tertiary substance of use. Source. 2008–2017 Treatment Episode Data Set.

FIGURE 2—

Usual Route of Methamphetamine Use Reported at Treatment Admissions for (a) Any Methamphetamine and (b) Primary Methamphetamine: United States, 2008–2017 Note. Any methamphetamine treatment admissions were defined as treatment admissions in which methamphetamine was listed as a primary, secondary, or tertiary substance of use. Primary methamphetamine treatment admissions were defined as treatment admissions in which methamphetamine was listed as the primary substance of use. Source. 2008–2017 Treatment Episode Data Set.

FIGURE 3—

Other Select Substances Reported at Treatment Admission Among Treatment Admissions Reporting Methamphetamine Use for (a) Any Methamphetamine and (b) Primary Methamphetamine: United States, 2008–2017 Note. Any methamphetamine treatment admissions were defined as treatment admissions in which methamphetamine was listed as a primary, secondary, or tertiary substance of use. Primary methamphetamine treatment admissions were defined as treatment admissions in which methamphetamine was listed as the primary substance of use. Source. 2008–2017 Treatment Episode Data Set.