Amphetamines are the second commonest misused drug in the UK, particularly among younger people (DrugScope, 2000), and there is some evidence that the problem has increased considerably in recent years. Fleming and Roberts (Reference Fleming and Roberts1994) reported a 175% increase in amphetamine use between 1990 and 1992, with over 60% injecting. Other studies of amphetamine users appearing at needle exchanges also suggest a large unmet need for treatment (Reference Seivewright and McmahonSeivewright & McMahon, 1996).

Historically, psychostimulants have been proposed to have a role in treating a number of psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorders, adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (Reference Beck, Silverstone and GlorBeck et al, 1999). Furthermore, there is some evidence that amphetamine prescribing for drug misusers is effective in reducing injecting and criminal behaviour (Reference Fleming and RobertsFleming & Roberts, 1994, Reference Charnaud and GriffithsCharnaud & Griffiths, 1998). However, the prescription of psychostimulants for amphetamine misusers remains controversial. Many clinicians are reluctant to prescribe them, partly because their use is not licensed for the treatment of drug dependence. Furthermore, there are a number of potential disadvantages including precipitation of episodes of psychosis and intracerebral haemorrhage (Reference Mcevoy, Kitchen and ThomasMcEvoy et al, 2000) and as yet there is no national consensus or endorsement of this practice (Department of Health, 1999).

This study aimed to assess the current level of amphetamine prescribing for adults by drug services in the East and West Midlands. In addition we aimed to survey the views of the staff working in drug services concerning the desirability of prescribing amphetamines.

Method

A postal survey of all registered drug services in the East and West Midlands was carried out between November 1999 and May 2000. All statutory and non-statutory drug services were identified through the 1999 UK AIDS Directory (National Aids Manual, 1999). A simple questionnaire was developed and addressed to the senior staff of each service, accompanied by a covering letter and a stamped addressed envelope.

The survey asked the service whether it had prescribed amphetamines to patients in the past 6 months, and the number of amphetamine misusers that had used the replacement prescribing during this period. Further questions aimed to determine the availability of a prescribing doctor and his/her feelings regarding replacement amphetamine prescribing, as well as any inclusion or exclusion criteria set down in order to receive such a service. The attitudes of the service as a whole towards prescribing amphetamines and the possibility of receiving other modalities of intervention were also clarified.

Results

A total of 41 services were identified and sent questionnaires. Two mailings resulted in 29 completed forms, a response rate of 71%. Three services (10%) identified themselves as addiction treatment units, 18 (62%) as community drug teams, six (21%) as non-statutory drug services and two (7%) as combined community drug team and drug treatment units. Nineteen services had a doctor attached who was responsible for assessment and prescribing.

Reasons for prescribing

Twenty of the 29 services (69%) prescribed amphetamines, and a variety of reasons were cited. Nineteen (66%) stated that they had prescribed them as a substitution for illicit amphetamine use, three (10%) for ADHD, nine (31%) because amphetamine misuse had led to social problems, eight (28%) for psychological or medical problems and eight (28%) for legal problems.

Inclusion criteria for amphetamine prescribing varied between services and are listed in Table 1. Exclusion criteria included cardiac problems, high blood pressure, mental illness, paranoid symptoms, violence and evidence of leakage onto the ‘black market’.

Table 1.

Variety between services of inclusion criteria for amphetamine prescribing

Inclusion criteria	Number (%) (n=20)
Evidence of daily use	6 (30)
Evidence of injecting	5 (25)
To reduce the harm of viral infections, legal problems or mental illness	5 (25)
Amphetamine use for 3 years	1 (5)
As an antidepressant	1 (5)
As a last resort	2 (10)

Discussion

This was the first local survey of current practice and attitudes toward prescribing amphetamines, and the aim was to examine this issue from the perspective of drug service providers. As with all questionnaire surveys there were a number of limitations. Services offering substitute prescribing to amphetamine users may have been more likely to return the survey, and a number of the services included had no prescribing role. Each service estimated the total number of patient contacts in the previous 6 months, but some gave more accurate figures than others. However, we believe that the percentage of amphetamine users that received substitute prescribing was broadly correct.

The study demonstrated a significant level of disparity between beliefs and practice in the area of treating amphetamine misuse. Approximately 90% of the services questioned felt that substitute prescribing should be available in addition to psychological and social interventions as part of a comprehensive service for this group. However, only two-thirds (69%) of the services actually prescribed amphetamines, and relatively few patients identified as having problems with amphetamines actually received substitution therapy (12%). There is a slowly developing body of research evidence for the use of substitute prescribing, and many feel that it is a potential method of engaging an often neglected group of patients in treatment (Reference Klee and MorrisKlee & Morris, 1995). Furthermore, there is some evidence that it reduces injecting in up to 70% of amphetamine misusers (Reference Charnaud and GriffithsCharnaud & Griffiths, 1998). Thus there is clearly a need for consensus in this area, backed up by well-designed research studies.