Treatment
Methamphetamine can be highly addictive in both short and long-term use due to the fast effects they produce in the brain.
There are currently no FDA-approved medications available to treat methamphetamine use disorder; however, various forms of psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, drug counseling, and relapse prevention) have been shown to be effective in reducing its use and its commonly associated psychiatric symptoms (Stuart 2019).
Meth Treatment Admissions in LAC
In LAC in fiscal year 2024-2025 (FY2425), 10,457 clients accounted for 16,840 treatment admissions for a primary methamphetamine problem across all publicly funded substance use disorder (SUD) programs.
The numbers of clients and treatment admissions for methamphetamine had been on an increasing trend since FY1516, with a dip in FY2021. The proportion of total clients and treatment admissions at publicly funded SUD treatment programs that reported a primary methamphetamine problem increased from FY1617 to FY1819, and has since remained relatively stable at about 28% to 30% (Figures 1-2).
Demographics of Meth Treatment Admissions
From FY1516 to FY2425, clients aged 26-34 years (41%) accounted for the largest proportion of primary methamphetamine admissions, followed by clients aged 35-44 years (29%). Youth (0.8%) and elderly clients (0.2%) accounted for small proportions of primary methamphetamine admissions (Figure 3).
Clients aged 26-34 years consistently accounted for the largest proportion of methamphetamine admissions from FY1516 to FY2425, but the numbers have plateaued over the last few years while those for clients aged 35-44 years have been fast approaching with its strong increasing trend (Figure 4).
From FY1516-FY2425, over half (57%) of primary methamphetamine admissions were among male clients (Figure 5). The gender disparity has been widening since FY1718 (Figure 6).
Hispanic/Latinos accounted for nearly two-thirds (65%) of all primary methamphetamine admissions, followed by Whites (19%) and Blacks (12%). All other race/ethnic groups accounted for less than 5% of primary methamphetamine admissions (Figure 7).
The number of primary methamphetamine admissions among Blacks steadily increased each year from FY1516 to FY2425. Hispanic/Latinos continued an increasing trend after a dip in FY2021 (Figure 8).
Route of Administration
The manner in how methamphetamine is used is important in its abuse risk potential. Each route of administration provides a different level of euphoric response, with some heightening blood stimulant levels at a faster rate and thus providing a “high” feeling instantly. Smoking and inhalation are known as the most popular methods of using methamphetamine, as their effects are experienced quickly and result in “highs” similar to that by injection and are viewed by users as a safer option than injection which is associated with more negative health outcomes (Rawson, 1999).
In LAC, from FY1516-FY2425, smoking was the most frequently reported route of administration (78%), followed by inhalation (11%), and injection (9%) among primary methamphetamine clients (Figure 9). Since FY1718, the proportion of primary methamphetamine clients that reported mainly injecting methamphetamine decreased, while those that mainly smoked methamphetamine increased (Figure 10).
References
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 1999. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 33.) Chapter 5—Medical Aspects of Stimulant Use Disorders. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64323/.
Los Angeles County Participant Reporting System (LACPRS). Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Stuart, A. M., Baker, A. L., Denham, A. M. J., Lee, N. K., Hall, A., Oldmeadow, C., Dunlop, A., Bowman, J., & McCarter, K. (2020). Psychological treatment for methamphetamine use and associated psychiatric symptom outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 109, 61–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2019.09.005
