MA is a derivative of amphetamine, which was widely prescribed in the 1950's and 1960's as a medication for depression and obesity, reaching a peak of 31 million prescriptions in the United States in 1967. Until the late 1980's, illicit use and manufacture of MA was endemic to California. The MA user population, however, has recently broadened in nature and in regional distribution, with increased use occurring in midwestern states. An estimated 4.7 million Americans, or 2.1 percent of the U.S. population, have tried MA at some time in their lives. Short-term and long-term health effects of MA include stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, stomach cramps, shaking, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, and structural changes to the brain. Children of MA abusers are at risk of abuse and neglect, and the use of MA by pregnant women can cause growth retardation, premature birth, and developmental disorders in neonates and enduring cognitive deficits in children. MA-related deaths and admissions to hospital emergency rooms are increasing. Although inpatient hospitalization may be indicated to treat severe cases of long-term MA dependence, optimum treatment for MA abusers relies on an intensive outpatient setting with 3 to 5 visits per week of comprehensive counseling for at least the first 3 months. The burgeoning problems of increased MA use must be addressed by adequate treatment programs suitable for a variety of user types. 21 references