The relationship between drug use patterns and depression was examined in a study of 146 heterosexual female MA users in which 60% of the sample met Beck Depression Inventory criteria for moderate to severe symptoms of depression (Semple et al., 2007). Those with more severe depression were more likely to be binge MA users, use more MA per month, and use MA more times per day on a greater number of consecutive days, than those with milder or no symptoms of depression. Several studies have examined the clinical course and treatment outcome of MA users with depression (Zweben et al., 2004; Glasner-Edwards et al., 2009; Sutcliffe et al., 2009). In a follow-up study of 526 MA-dependent adults who had taken part in the Methamphetamine Treatment Project (MTP), Glasner-Edwards et al. reported that 15% met criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) at 3-year follow-up. A significantly greater proportion of those reporting past-month MA use (26%) had MDD relative to those MA-abstinent (11%), and those with MDD had used MA more frequently during the follow-up period than those without MDD. The effects
