Addicted to the ‘life of methamphetamine’: Perceived barriers to sustained methamphetamine recovery

Abstract

Aims: This qualitative study explores and characterises barriers to methamphetamine recovery that emerge from users discussing anonymously their challenges in an online discussion forum. Methods: Anonymous letters and stories (N ¼ 202), which were submitted to an online support forum for methamphetamine users and their loved ones, were analysed in Dedoose software using grounded theory methodology. Findings: Six perceived barriers emerged from the narratives, which were categorised as internal or external. The first three perceived barriers-low self-efficacy, conflicting thoughts about methamphetamine use, and side effects of withdrawalwere related to internal barriers, and the other three perceived barriers-escaping the drug environment, friends and family prevented recovery, and inadequate drug rehabilitation programmes-were related to external barriers. Conclusions: Methamphetamine users participating in an online discussion forum faced many internal and external barriers that impeded their recovery. These identified barriers were remarkably similar to barriers reported by users seeking treatment in conventional settings or recruited from drug networks, which suggests that methamphetamine users, in general, use multiple methods to assist with recovery and face many common barriers. Developing behavioural interventions that include online components may help remove some of the barriers and improve methamphetamine recovery.

Motivations for Treatment Engagement in a Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program: A Qualitative Study

“…To summarize, the present study addresses the stated need for theoretically-informed addiction research 23,24 that offers "in-depth, nuanced, and multiple-perspective accounts of treatment engagement." 6 p. 1476;25,35-37 It also supports previous arguments regarding the HBM's utility as a descriptive framework for understanding help-seeking behaviors, including SUD treatment, and its potential to inform educational interventions designed to improve SUD treatment experiences.…”

“…Grounded in the framework of the Health Belief Model (HBM), 21,22 the present study addresses the stated need for theoretically-informed qualitative studies that can inform practitioners, researchers, policymakers in their efforts to develop treatment programs designed to address SUD and its associated adverse outcomes in the United States. 6,[23][24][25] The HBM framework has been applied to many behavioral contexts-including to predict the adoption and maintenance of treatment for a diagnosed illness, adherence to medical treatment, and engagement in preventative health behaviors, such as exercise, health screenings, and vaccinations. [26][27][28] It has also been applied to SUD behaviors, such as alcohol consumption, [29][30][31] illicit drug use, 29,31 and smoking.…”

“…Grounded in the framework of the Health Belief Model (HBM), 21 , 22 the present study addresses the stated need for theoretically-informed qualitative studies that can inform practitioners, researchers, policymakers in their efforts to develop treatment programs designed to address SUD and its associated adverse outcomes in the United States. 6 , 23 - 25 …”

Gaps in the ice: Methamphetamine in Australia; its history, treatment, and ramifications for users and their families

“…It is important to add that this is not always the case, as Alexander et al . () found that, by providing a safe environment for users, family and friends were sometimes perceived as providing protection from the negative consequences of use and thus facilitating relapse.…”

“Gave me a line of ice and I got hooked”: Exploring narratives of initiating methamphetamine use

“…First, there are currently no published qualitative studies that explore meth initiation using unsolicited data from an online support forum. Stories posted to online self‐help groups may resist dominant substance abuse narratives (Alexander, Obong'o, Chavan, Dillon, & Kedia, ; Barratt, Allen, & Lenton, ; Obong'o, ). Furthermore, while interview‐based qualitative studies can yield valuable insights, such analyses often ignored the ways that participants’ responses are beholden to researchers’ questions and the performative aspects of the interviewing process (Gough, ); thus, as Gough () argues, there is a need for qualitative research that examines sensitive health topics in naturalistic settings, that is, where researchers are not present.…”