Table 2.
Effect of duration of abstinence from methamphetamine (MA) on Methamphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire (MAWQ) subscales (n = 32).
| F | Effect of time (days 1–14) |
Study entry |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| P | Mean (SD) | ||
| Vital signs | |||
| Systolic blood pressure | 0.63 | 0.68 | 118.8 (16.8) |
| Diastolic blood pressure | 0.7 | 0.62 | 69.2 (12.2) |
| Pulse | 0.77 | 0.57 | 70.2 (10.7) |
| Physical symptoms | n (%) | ||
| Headaches | 0.36 | 0.98 | 8 (25) |
| Constipation | 0.46 | 0.96 | 2 (6) |
| Diarrhea | 1.31 | 0.2 | 4 (13) |
| Irregular or pounding heartbeat | 0.98 | 0.47 | 4 (13) |
| Muscle or joint pain | 1.24 | 0.25 | 9 (28) |
| Red/itching eyes | 4.33 | <0.001 | 10 (31) |
| Sweaty or clammy | 1.35 | 0.18 | 5 (16) |
| Emotional symptoms | |||
| Angry | 0.36 | 0.98 | 4 (13) |
| Anxious/nervous | 1.18 | 0.29 | 11 (34) |
| Craving | 0.67 | 0.79 | 22 (68) |
| Depressed | 1.22 | 0.26 | 8 (25) |
| Irritable | 0.8 | 0.66 | 6 (19) |
| No motivation | 2.8 | 0.001 | 12 (38) |
| Loss of interest or pleasure | 1.69 | 0.06 | 8 (25) |
| Restless | 0.54 | 0.90 | 13 (40) |
| Suicidal thoughts | 1.47 | 0.12 | 2 (6) |
| Functional symptoms | |||
| Increased appetite | 3.23 | <0.001 | 20 (63) |
| Decreased appetite | 0.51 | 0.92 | 4 (13) |
| Poor concentration | 1.02 | 0.43 | 6 (19) |
| Poor memory | 1.23 | 0.25 | 9 (28) |
| Sleep difficulties | 3.16 | <0.001 | 7 (22) |
| Tired or low energy | 5.36 | <0.001 | 18 (56) |
| Additional symptoms | |||
| ‘I am not feeling well’ | 1.22 | 0.26 | 6 (19) |
| ‘Sometimes it feels as though people are watching me or talking about me’ | 2.19 | 0.009 | 3 (9) |
| ‘Sometimes it feels like someone is touching me but no one is there’ | 0.83 | 0.63 | 1 (3) |
| ‘I often think about taking methamphetamine’ | 2.04 | 0.02 | 23 (72) |
| ‘My sexual pleasure is less than usual’ | 2.22 | 0.008 | 8 (25) |
| ‘Recently my interest in sex is less than usual’ | 1.26 | 0.24 | 7 (22) |
| ‘I am not able to deal with stress as well as usual’ | 1.39 | 0.16 | 7 (22) |
| ‘Sometimes I hear voices that no one else can hear’ | 0.87 | 0.58 | 1 (3) |
Effect of time of abstinence was analyzed by mixed-effects modeling over days 1–14 of abstinence from MA. The table presents the exact text of the instrument, which was rater-administered to MA-abusing participants. The instrument is scored on a four-point Likert-type scale from ‘none’ to ‘severe’ (physical, emotional, functional symptoms) or ‘none’ to ‘strongly agree’ (additional symptoms). P values reaching statistical significance (P < 0.05) are highlighted. SD: standard deviation.