Methamphetamine Treatment Admissions

Primary Meth Treatment Admissions
Between 1992 and 2002, the primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admission rate in the United States increased from 10 to 52 admissions per 100,000 population aged 12 or older

Also, 12 percent of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions reported smoking as the primary route of administration, but by 2002, 50 percent did. 19 States had rates in excess of the national rate (52 admissions per 100,000 population), and 12 had primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admission rates of more than twice the national rate—104 or more admissions per 100,000 population

Amphetamines and methamphetamine are central nervous system stimulants. They were the primary substance of abuse in more than 124,000 substance abuse treatment admissions in 2002 (almost 7 percent of all admissions). Methamphetamine was the primary drug of abuse reported in more than 90 percent of these admissions in 2002.

Figure 1.


In 1992, 39 percent of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine treatment admissions inhaled the substance, while 12 percent smoked it. By 2002, this distribution had changed substantially—only 17 percent inhaled and 50 percent of primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions reported smoking. Other routes of administration changed slightly or remained stable during this time.


Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admission Rate per 100,000 Population Aged 12 or Older: 1992-2002

Figure 1. Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admission Rate per 100,000 Population Aged 12 or Older: 1992-2002

Figure 2.


Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admissions, by Route of Administration: 1992-2002

Figure 2. Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admissions, by Route of Administration: 1992-2002

Between 1992 and 2002, the demographics of methamphetamine/amphetamine treatment admissions changed slightly. The distribution of males remained stable at around 55 percent of admissions. The mean age at admission increased from 29 years old in 1992 to 31 years old in 2002.

The source of referral to treatment changed between 1992 and 2002. In 1992, 38 percent of these admissions were referred to treatment by the criminal justice system. By 2002, the criminal justice system was the source of referral in more than 50 percent of the primary methamphetamine/amphetamine treatment admissions.

Geographic Distribution: 1992-2002 In 1992, nine States had rates above the national rate (10 admissions per 100,000 population aged 12 or older), but none exceeded 75 admissions per 100,000. All but one of these States were in the West (exception Oklahoma). Oregon had the highest rate in 1992—72 admissions per 100,000 population. Four States (New Hampshire, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin) had rates less than 1 admission per 100,000.

Admission Rates by State


By 2002, 19 States had rates in excess of the national rate (52 admissions per 100,000 population), and 12 had primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admission rates of more than twice the national rate—104 or more admissions per 100,000 population. Ten of the 19 States were in the West, 7 were in the Midwest, and 2 in the South. Again, the highest primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admission rate was in Oregon—324 admissions per 100,000.

Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Admission Rates per 100,000 Population Aged 12 or Older, by State: 1992 and 2002

1992 2002 1992 2002
United States 10.4 52.1
Northeast Midwest
Connecticut 1.0 3.8 Illinois 2.0 13.4
Maine 1.5 3.5 Indiana 1.6 22.8
Massachusetts 1.1 1.3 Iowa 9.2 198.1
New Hampshire 0.3 7.0 Kansas 9.8 61.3
New Jersey 2.6 1.9 Michigan 2.1 5.1
New York 1.8 3.4 Minnesota 4.6 77.6
Pennsylvania 2.5 2.3 Missouri 5.2 86.2
Rhode Island 2.1 2.4 Nebraska 6.8 102.2
Vermont 4.7 4.3 North Dakota 2.3 65.4
South Ohio 5.3 1.9
Alabama 1.3 35.9 South Dakota 4.0 68.9
Arkansas 7.2 124.9 Wisconsin 0.4 3.5
Delaware 2.1 1.8 West
District of Columbia * 3.6 Alaska 4.2 15.0
Florida 1.5 5.3 Arizona * 27.7
Georgia 1.9 22.2 California 48.6 200.1
Kentucky * 13.3 Colorado 14.0 67.7
Louisiana 3.9 18.4 Hawaii 32.8 217.2
Maryland 1.5 2.6 Idaho 9.7 116.2
Mississippi * 17.5 Montana 33.5 118.6
North Carolina 1.1 3.2 Nevada 34.6 156.8
Oklahoma 15.5 118.8 New Mexico 4.9 4.5
South Carolina 1.3 6.7 Oregon 72.4 323.6
Tennessee 0.1 9.3 Utah 10.0 115.2
Texas 7.2 13.0 Washington 11.4 150.4
Virginia 0.9 3.2 Wyoming 15.2 166.9
West Virginia 1.4 0.5



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