Introducing the ASCME* project 

Methamphetamine use has increased considerably worldwide in recent years (1). Canada, like the rest of the world, is confronted with this problematic growth (2).

Methamphetamine use is associated with significant long-term morbidity and mortality, including psychiatric, physical and social complications, placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system (3).

At present, there are no pharmaceutical drugs approved in Canada for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorders, and recommended treatment relies mainly on psychosocial therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing (4).

The management of stimulant-related disorders is therefore becoming a priority in Canada and worldwide.

The ASCME project is a multi-center, randomized, controlled, pan-Canadian trial designed to determine whether the addition of high-dose Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®) and contingency management therapy, either alone or in combination with standard clinical treatment, can reduce the number of days of methamphetamine use in problematic users.

The project is aimed at adults aged 18 to 55 with moderate to severe DSM-5 methamphetamine use disorders who want to stop or reduce their methamphetamine use.

The clinical trial is currently underway at the Didier Jutras-Aswad Research Laboratory, and recruitment will continue until May 2025.

 

*ASCME: Addition of high dose stimulant and engagement-focused contingency management, alone and in combination, to treatment as usual for the management of methamphetamine use disorder.

 

Article by Sonia Chila

References

1. crime OdNUcldel. ONUDC, Rapport mondial sur les drogues 2022 2022 [cited 10_Mar_2024]. Available from: https://www.unodc.org/res/wdr2022/MS/WDR22_Booklet_1_french.pdf.
2. substances Ccsldpelud. Méthamphétamine Mars 2020 [cited12_Mar_2024]. Available from: https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2020-03/CCSA-Canadian-Drug-Summary-Methamphetamine-2020-fr.pdf.
3. Djamshidian A. Neurobehavioral Sequelae of Psychostimulant Abuse. Int Rev Neurobiol. 2015;120:161-77.
4. Gouzoulis-Mayfrank E, Härtel-Petri R, Hamdorf W, Havemann-Reinecke U, Mühlig S, Wodarz N. Methamphetamine-Related Disorders. DtschArztebl Int. 2017;114(26):455-61.