Prescribing patterns and factors associated with sustained abstinence in amphetamine dependence: a retrospective study from Saudi Arabia

Background Amphetamine dependence is a major global public health challenge. Antipsychotics and antidepressants have been utilized as adjuvant therapies for amphetamine dependence. However, results from clinical trials remain inconsistent. Hence, this study aims to evaluate prescribing patterns of antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and antiepileptics in the management of amphetamine dependence and predictive factors of abstinence in Saudi Arabia.Methods This retrospective study involved 110 male patients admitted primarily for amphetamine use. Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, pharmacological interventions, and treatment outcomes were collected. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted.Results Amphetamine was the predominant substance used (99.1%). Most patients received antidepressants (81.8%) and antipsychotics (60.0%), primarily as dual therapy. Sustained abstinence was achieved in 30.9% of participants. Baseline sociodemographic characteristics were similar between the abstinent and non-abstinent groups. In unadjusted analyses, participants who achieved sustained abstinence had lower mean daily use frequency than those who did not. In the adjusted logistic regression model, no predictor reached conventional statistical significance.Conclusion Antidepressants and antipsychotics were commonly prescribed in the management of amphetamine dependence in this Saudi cohort. Although lower daily use frequency was associated with sustained abstinence in unadjusted analysis, no independent predictor remained statistically significant after multivariable adjustment.