[Bio-Psycho-Social Characteristics and Therapeutic Aspects of Methamphetamine-Dependent Women - Gender Specific Results of a Systematic Literature Search].

Subject: Compared to other illicit drugs Methamphetamine (MethA) is used more frequently by women than by men. Assuming the biopsychosocial etiology model, the dependency is based on several factors in which women and men differ significantly. Systematic gender-differentiated knowledge is missing until today.
Method: Based on a database research (PUBMED) the review examines biological, social and psychological as well as therapeutic aspects in MethA-dependent women.
Results: MethA-induced cognitive disturbance appear to have severer manifestations in women than in men. MethA-addicted women's lifestyle is often characterized by active and passive (sexualized) violence. They show an increased risk behavior; i. e. unprotected sexual intercourse with several partners. Their psychological comorbidities seem to be more pronounced and especially affect anxiety disorders and depressive syndromes.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: In women, abuse and dependence of MethA are determined by psychological as well as social factors. However, further research is needed to improve prevention, counseling and therapy.
Competing Interests: Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.
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