title: Key differences in treatment-seeking stimulant users attending a specialised treatment service: a means of early intervention?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few people who use stimulants seek clinical treatment. This study sought to describe a cohort of stimulant users who attended a stimulant-specific treatment service, Access Point, in Melbourne, Australia between 2008 and 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective audit of the records of adults ( n = 175) who sought treatment for stimulant use at a stimulant-specific outpatient treatment service was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Service users had a median age of 32 (range = 19-54). Most stimulant users were in part- or full-time employment (53.6%) and had stable accommodation (85%). There was a high rate of mental health comorbidity, with over half (52%) reporting a previous history of mental health problems, while one-third (33%) reported previous suicide attempts. There was a high rate (48%) of previous methamphetamine-associated psychosis, which was significantly correlated with frequency of use ( x2= 13.698, p = 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the potential of a targeted and specialised treatment service as a means of early intervention for stimulant users. The high prevalence of methamphetamine-associated psychosis history in this group suggests that frequent use of stimulants increases the risk of psychosis, even among high-functioning individuals.
authors.affiliation: Addiction Psychiatrist, Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, and; Adjunct Lecturer, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arunogiri
authors.affiliation: Senior Psychologist, Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Margret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrie
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nurse Consultant, Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharkey
authors.affiliation: Director, Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, and; Professor of Addiction Studies and Services, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Dan I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Lubman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: addiction; dual diagnosis; methamphetamine; psychosis; stimulant