메스암페타민 의존으로 입원한 환자의 인구학적 및 임상적 특성

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients with Methamphetamine Dependence

The purpose of this study was to obtain the demographic and clinical characteristics of hospitalized methamphetamine abuse or dependent patients at National Bugok Hospital. The study subjects were 52 hospitalized male patients who met the DSMIV criteria for methamphetamine abuse or dependence. Two psychiatrists of National Bugok Hospital obtained basic data of the patients. The survey questionnaires had components that could inform clinical data of the patterns and typical problems associated with methamphetamine use. The average age of the study subjects was 37.6 years. The majority of patients were in their 30s (67.3%) and 40s (26.9%). High school graduation was the most common education achievement level. Individuals who had higher education levels tended to start taking methamphetamine earlier and admit themselves to hospitals voluntarily. It took 6.8 years from the start of methamphetamine use for users to be arrested and 10.4 years for them to admit themselves for treatment. After injecting methamphetamine, most of the study subjects indulged in risky behavior such as reckless sexual contact and driving. Because of methamphetamine users’ conviction about having control over the drug and denial of drug-related problems, they are unable or unwilling to recognize the problematic nature of the drug. The government must provide education programs on the related problems of methamphetamine use and provide treatment facilities for users.