The effect of amphetamine type stimulants on psychopathology, aggression and cognitive function among clients within a drug therapeutic community

Abstract

Background: Increasingly, the use of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) has been associated with psychopathology, cognitive deficits, and aggression. These are important co-morbidities that need to be considered, particularly in residential drug treatments. Aims: This study compared levels of aggression, psychopathology, and executive function between participants identified as being ATS or non-ATS users who were residents within Drug Therapeutic Communities (DTCs). Method: A sample of 67 males and 37 females, aged 19–60 years, undertaking residential treatment at one of four DTCs, completed a self-report questionnaire. Participants were grouped as sustained and recent ATS use (n = 51) or prior and no ATS use (n = 53). Results: Psychopathology and executive dysfunction were high among all participants. ATS users exhibited significantly higher levels of depression, executive dysfunction, and aggression compared to non-ATS users, and these measures were highly intercorrelated. Younger age was weakly associat...