Socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and risk factors of crystal meth use in Baghdad/Iraq

Abstract

Major amphetamines include dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, a combined dextroamphetamine amphetamine salt, and methylphenidate. The narcotics are called crystal or crystal meth. Amphetamines are used to boost performance and produce euphoria by students preparing for exams, long-distance truck drivers on travels, businesspeople with significant deadlines, athletes in competition, and troops in combat. Little is known regarding Iraqi crystal usage. The aim of study is to find out the sociodemographic and clinical characteristic of patient crystal meth use in Iraq and the risk factors of this use. Method: A cross sectional study conducted among 100 patients who were attending Ibn Rushid Psychiatric Training Hospital and addiction clinic in Baghdad Teaching Hospital. The Arabic version of ASSIST questionnaire that screens for all levels of problem or risky substance use in adult was used. 95% of the research participants were male, 51% were under 25 years old, 80% lived in metropolitan areas, and 50% were unmarried. 81% of participants had a primary or intermediate education, and 43% were jobless. 90% of participants started as children or teenagers. 99% smoke and 77% drink 99% experienced sleep problems, 87% were violent. 72% exhibited persecutory hallucination, 81% had jaw spasms. Half the sample had irregular heartbeats and auditory hallucinations. Low education, a history of violence, negative friends, and peer usage all increased amphetamine risk. Inconclusion, most Iraqi meth users were male, unmarried, jobless, and low-educated. Most of them smoked and drank as kids and adolescents. Crystal meth usage in Iraq related to inadequate education, aggression, terrible buddies, and good peer relationships.