Citation

Arnaud N, Thomasius T. Nervenarzt, Der 2017; 88(9): 1079-1090.

Vernacular Title

Methamphetamin : Epidemiologie, klinische Bedeutung und Folgen des Gebrauchs.

Affiliation

Deutsches Zentrum für Suchtfragen des Kindes- und Jugendalters (DZSKJ), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00115-017-0376-1

PMID

28721538

Abstract

Methamphetamine (also known as meth and crystal meth) is a highly psychoactive synthetic amphetamine type stimulant, which falls under the German Federal Narcotics Law. The substance is similar to other stimulants but has distinct features with respect to psychoactive effects, clinical symptoms, user characteristics and short and long-term consequences including substance-induced problems and comorbidities. The consumption and misuse of crystal meth is still limited to certain regions in Germany; however, the substance causes significant clinical and public health concerns in the affected regions and beyond due to the associated high potential for misuse and dependence, neurotoxic and neurodegenerative effects as well as many other severe health risks. The new German guidelines for methamphetamine use disorders are now available to provide clinicians with the current knowledge on effective diagnostics and treatment planning.

Language: de

Keywords

Amphetamine type stimulants; Crystal meth; Guidelines; Methamphetamine use disorder; Stimulants