To differentiate the methamphetamine users according to the developmental stages of addictive behavior, and explore the characteristics of different stages in order to provid a theoretical reference for our clinical intervention.

Take the male methamphetamine users in compulsory detoxification institute whom were admitted from September 2018 to December 2019 as research objects.All the objects were asked to complete clinical diagnosis, interview and questionnaire evaluation in one week.According to the developmental stages of addictive behavior, the subjects were divided into occasional use group (n=51), regular use group (n=95) and compulsive use group (n=157).All subjects were evaluated using visual analogue scale(VAS), Barrett impulsiveness scale(BIS)and CogState scale.SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis, AVOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for group comparison.Multiple Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with the development of addictive behavior.

(1)The compulsive use group had higher cumulative duration(24(8, 48), 12(4, 24), 22(10, 36)), average dose(6.6±3.8, 2.8±1.4, 4.5±3.4) and craving score(1(0, 5), 0(0, 1), 1(0, 3)) than the other two groups(all P<0.05).And individuals in compulsive use group had more previous heroin use experience(20.4%, 9.8%, 14.8%,P<0.05).The regular use group had more withdrawal times than the other two groups(1(1, 3), 1(0, 1), 1(1, 2),P<0.05).The total scores of Barrett impulsiveness scale(42.8±13.3, 34.5±13.6, 36.1±14.9) and the scores in all dimensions in the compulsive use group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups(motor impulsiveness: 37.5±15.8, 27.8±13.4, 29.2±17.8; attentional impulsiveness: 43.2±18.0, 39.4±17.0, 37.2±18.1; non-planning impulsiveness: 47.2±19.8, 38.8±18.7, 40.7±20.8;P<0.05) .In the compulsive use users, the ISL(16.50±4.87, 19.30±4.78, 18.33±4.91) and SEC(0.76±0.21, 0.89±0.22, 0.81±0.21) scores about cognitive assessment were significantly lower than other two groups(bothP<0.05).(2)The results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that cumulative duration (β=0.022, OR=1.022, 95%CI: 1.003-1.042), dosage(β=0.625, OR=1.869, 95%CI: 1.196-2.921), craving (β=0.194, OR=1.214, 95%CI: 1.002-1.215), the total scores of Barrett impulse scale(β=0.036, OR=1.037, 95%CI: 1.013-1.061), scores of non-planning impulsiveness(β=0.040, OR=1.041, 95%CI: 1.004-1.038), scores of motor impulsiveness(β=0.033, OR=1.214, 95%CI: 1.001-1.068) were associated with the periodic grouping of addictions.

Addictive behavior is a progressive process and methamphetamine users at different stages have different characteristics in substance use, impulsiveness and cognitive function.The development of addictive behavior is associated with the time, dosage and craving of substance use, as well as the personality impulsivity of users.And the compulsive users suffered more cognitive impairment than the other two groups. The methamphetamine users should be identified dynamically and targeted therapeutic intervention measures should be carried out to block the addictive process to achieve the goal of harm reduction.

Methamphetamine; Addictive behavior; Impulsiveness; Cognitive function