Research Projects

Evaluating the use of prescription psychostimulants for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder

Status: Completed

Project Lead: Paxton Bach

Crystal meth is a powerful stimulant that is increasingly implicated in the ongoing overdose crisis in BC. One class of medications that has previously shown some promise in the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) are prescription stimulants such as those used to treat ADHD. While research in this area remains inconclusive, there is some suggestion that these medications may play a helpful role in the treatment of MUD, especially among patients with an overlapping diagnosis of opioid use disorder.

This proposal will employ a variety of research methodologies to explore two related questions: (1) Can we identify patients who use crystal meth and opioids that are at particularly high risk of overdose, and (2) Are prescription stimulants a helpful tool in the treatment of MUD in a population of patients who use opioids? These results will have significant implications for both healthcare providers and those suffering from MUD, at a time where new tools are sorely needed.