Psychiatric Comorbidity and Psychopathology of Methamphetamine Users—Are There Gender Differences?

Methamphetamine use disorder is associated with severe psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial problems. Women seem to be more affected than men. Therefore, this study examined psychiatric comorbidities and psychopathology, drug use patterns, and treatment outcomes in women addicted to methamphetamine compared to men. Data on methamphetamine-dependent inpatients were collected in two centers specialized for addiction treatment at admission (T0) and discharge (T1, after treatment for 24 weeks). Sociodemographic and clinical measures were collected with the semi-structured clinical interview I at baseline; the self-reported standardized questionnaire (SCL-90-R) was administered at admission and discharge and after 24 weeks. During the entire treatment procedure, treatment relevant aspects were monitored. Out of all 108 treatment-seeking participants (86 men, 22 women), 64 completed the study (51 men, 13 women; drop-out rate: 40.7% ( n = 44)). Methamphetamine-dependent women used other stimulants more often than men, while men used hallucinogens significantly more frequently than women. Female inpatients differed significantly from men in various sociodemographic variables (e.g., having children, single parenting) and were significantly more often affected by current ( p < 0.001) and lifetime mental stress disorders ( p < 0.001), as well as specific psychiatric disorders ( p < 0.001) (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder). At discharge, mental symptoms decreased significantly in men but not in women. Both before and after treatment, women seem to be more vulnerable to psychiatric comorbidities and psychopathologic symptoms compared to men. Although this study only provides preliminary data on gender-specific characteristics of methamphetamine-dependent patients and their treatment, it seems appropriate to discuss the development of gender-specific treatment options. Further studies in this field are needed.