"Recent trials with extended-release formulations and higher dosages of PPs, particularly prescription amphetamines, have shown promising results promoting abstinence from cocaine and reducing drug use. PPs’ potential as an “agonist-type” treatment seems to be better explored with higher dosage regimens and at clinical settings that have direct observed dosing available.

"Recent trials with extended-release formulations and higher dosages of PPs [Prescription Psychosimulants], particularly prescription amphetamines, have shown promising results promoting abstinence from cocaine and reducing drug use. PPs’ potential as an “agonist-type” treatment seems to be better explored with higher dosage regimens and at clinical settings that have direct observed dosing available.

"Amphetamines (which includes amphetamine and methamphetamine) positivity continued its year-over-year upward trend, increasing more than eight percent in urine testing in both the general U.S. and federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workforces compared to 2015. Throughout the last decade, this rise has been driven primarily by amphetamine use which includes certain prescription drugs such as Adderall®.

(Estimated Value of US Methamphetamine Market) "A more recent study using a demand-side approach estimates that the annual retail value of the U.S. methamphetamine market is between $3 and $8 billion, with a best guess of $5 billion.¹² The margin of error is large because the footprint of methamphetamine use does not match the footprint of the data collection system. Methamphetamine use in the United States is concentrated in certain regions, and it is not primarily an urban drug, whereas data collection systems are centered in urban areas.

(Methamphetamine Use and Health) "This section compares meth/amphetamines use patterns with general health, selected health conditions, psychological distress (see Glossary for definition of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and body mass index in people aged 18 years or older. The data are based on self-reported assessments and are not empirically verified. Table 8.7 shows there was a relationship between recent use of meth/amphetamines and a person’s mental health and body mass index. In addition:

Amphetamine-Type Stimulants

(Estimated Prevalence of Current Methamphetamine Use in the US, 2014) "In 2014, the estimated 1.6 million people aged 12 or older who were current nonmedical users of stimulants included 569,000 people who were current methamphetamine users (Figure 8). Thus, almost two thirds of current nonmedical users of stimulants in 2014 who were aged 12 or older reported current nonmedical use of prescription stimulants but not methamphetamine.

(Global Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use, 2011) "Use of ATS, excluding 'ecstasy', remains widespread globally, and appears to be increasing. Although prevalence estimates are not available from Asia and Africa, experts from these regions continue to report a perceived increase in the use of ATS. While the use of ATS was already a problem in East and South-East Asia, there are reports of increasing diversion of precursor chemicals, as well as increased seizures and manufacture of methamphetamine, combined with an increase in its use.

(Trends in Methamphetamine Use by Young People in the US, 1999-2012) "Methamphetamine questions were introduced in 1999 because of rising concern about use of this drug; but a decline in use has been observed among all five populations in the years since then, although young adults did not show declines until 2005. In 2007 this decline continued in all five populations, and was significant in grades 8 and 12, with little further change thereafter, except for a jump up among 12th graders in 2011 and among young adults in 2012.

Methamphetamine

(Trends in Prevalence of Crystal Meth (Ice) Use Among Youth in the US, 1990-2012) "Measures on the use of crystal methamphetamine (ice) (a crystallized form of methamphetamine that can be smoked, much like crack) have been included in MTF [Monitoring The Future] since 1990. The use of crystal methamphetamine increased between the early and late 1990s among the three populations asked about their use: 12th graders, college students, and young adults. However, use never reached very high levels.