title: Global patterns of methamphetamine use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As the most popular psychostimulant in the world, methamphetamine use has reached epidemic proportions. Its enormous popularity has created subcultures of methamphetamine users all over the globe. The purpose of this review is to describe the geographic availability of different types of methamphetamine, the characteristics of each user population, and the psychosocial impact the two have on society.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methamphetamine has diversified immensely from the early days of its use. Different forms of methamphetamine - ICE, powder, and pills - have different pharmacokinetic characteristics that make them popular among certain types of users. New studies have shown that addiction to methamphetamine results in a very characteristic loss of inhibition that augments various risk-taking behaviors in its users. Also, recent seizure data suggest that its production and trafficking is spreading into new areas of the globe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From recreational use to addiction, methamphetamine use represents a serious risk to health and wellbeing of the community. Recognizing the pattern of abuse in specific populations is the key to assessing the risk, implementing prevention, and harm reduction measures, as well as making public policies.
authors.affiliation: aMahidol University International College, Salaya bFaculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chulathida
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chomchai
authors.forename: Summon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chomchai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D064423:Drug Trafficking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012306:Risk; D012309:Risk-Taking; D060386:Sex Workers; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D047568:Unsafe Sex
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine