Past Issues

Objective: Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a global public health concern. While case management programs are used for treating substance use disorders, evidence of their efficacy remains limited. In this study, we intended to compare treatment outcomes between those receiving intensive case management (ICM) and those receiving treatment-as-usual (TAU) over a 12-month period. Methods: This prospective follow-up study was done on patients with MUD referred from an outpatient treatment unit. Participants in the ICM group were matched with those in the TAU group in age, sex, and severity of dependence scale (SDS) scores, with a 1: 3 ratio. Outcome measurements included monthly urine screenings for methamphetamine, along with scores on the SDS, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for craving, and Brief Symptom Rating Scale at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The study had 124 study patients, with 31 in the ICM and 93 in the TAU group. While patients in the ICM program had a shorter history of methamphetamine use, they showed more psychiatric comorbidities (depressive and anxiety disorders) and a history of suicide attempts at baseline, compared to the TAU group. Both groups showed significant more improvements in SDS (p < 0.05) and VAS (p < 0.01) scores over the 12-month period, with no between-group differences in outcomes. Conclusion: Despite the presence of severe psychiatric problems, the ICM group showed a similar level of improvement as the TAU group in treatment outcomes during the one-year follow-up. ICM may prove advantageous for patients with MUD, particularly those with pronounced psychiatric challenges.