Health and social characteristics of clients reporting amphetamine type substance use at entry to public alcohol and other drug services in New South Wales, Australia, 2016-2019

Abstract

Introduction: Amphetamine type substances (ATS) are commonly used by Australian alcohol and other drug service entrants. We describe demographic characteristics, patterns of ATS and other substance use, health and social conditions among clients entering New South Wales (NSW) public alcohol and other drug services.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of 13,864 records across six health districts (2016-2019) for clients seeking substance use treatment. These districts service approximately 44% of the NSW population aged 15 years and over. Multivariate analysis was conducted on a subsample for whom full data were available (N = 9981). Data included NSW Minimum Data Set for drug and alcohol treatment services and Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile items.

Results: Over the preceding 4 weeks, 77% (n = 10,610) of clients (N = 13,864) reported no recent ATS use, 15% (n = 2109) reported 'low frequency' (1-12 days) and 8% (n = 1145) 'high frequency' (13-28 days) use. ATS use was most common among people attending for ATS or opioids as primary drug of concern. A multinomial regression (N = 9981) identified that clients reporting recent arrest (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.36, 2.24), higher cannabis use frequency (aOR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00, 1.02), lower opioid use frequency (aOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99) and poorer quality of life (aOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.86, 0.97) were more likely to report 'high frequency' rather than 'low frequency' ATS use.

Discussion and conclusions: People who use ATS experience health and social issues that may require targeted responses. These should be integrated across all services, not only for clients with ATS as principal drug of concern.

Keywords: amphetamine type stimulants; drug and alcohol treatment; electronic medical records; methamphetamine; routine outcome monitoring.