TY - JOUR
T1 - “It’s Crazy What Meth Can Help You Do”
T2 - Lay Beliefs, Practices, and Experiences of Using Methamphetamine to Self-Treat Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal
AU - Silverstein, Sydney M.
AU - Daniulaityte, Raminta
AU - Getz, Kylie
AU - Zule, William
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Background: Across the U.S., methamphetamine use is expanding among people who use illicit opioids (PWUIO). Motives for methamphetamine use must be contextualized within the experiences of PWUIO, who may use methamphetamine not only to achieve euphoria, but also as a tactic of self-management. The overall aim of this study is to contextualize lay beliefs, practices, and experiences of methamphetamine use as a form of self-treatment of symptoms related to chronic opioid use among PWUIO in the Dayton Metro Area of Southwest Ohio, an epicenter of the ongoing opioid crisis. Methods: This paper draws on two phases of interviews conducted with 38 individuals who use both heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine. This paper primarily analyzes qualitative data but includes supplementary information from the structured interview component. Qualitative interview sections were transcribed in their entirety and thematically analyzed. Results: Participants described learning about methamphetamine as a tactic to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms through social networks and through personal experimentation. Many participants suggested that methamphetamine was helpful in relieving exhaustion, alleviating some acute physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and providing a psychological distraction, although some admitted that methamphetamine use could incur additional health risks. To effectively use methamphetamine as a tactic of self-treatment, participants emphasized the importance of timing and dosing. Discussion: Among PWUIO in the Dayton area, methamphetamine use as a tactic to self-manage opioid withdrawal must be studied in relation to historical and evolving patterns of illicit opioid use and associated risks. More research is needed to understand the long-term health impacts of this emergent practice of polydrug use.
AB - Background: Across the U.S., methamphetamine use is expanding among people who use illicit opioids (PWUIO). Motives for methamphetamine use must be contextualized within the experiences of PWUIO, who may use methamphetamine not only to achieve euphoria, but also as a tactic of self-management. The overall aim of this study is to contextualize lay beliefs, practices, and experiences of methamphetamine use as a form of self-treatment of symptoms related to chronic opioid use among PWUIO in the Dayton Metro Area of Southwest Ohio, an epicenter of the ongoing opioid crisis. Methods: This paper draws on two phases of interviews conducted with 38 individuals who use both heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine. This paper primarily analyzes qualitative data but includes supplementary information from the structured interview component. Qualitative interview sections were transcribed in their entirety and thematically analyzed. Results: Participants described learning about methamphetamine as a tactic to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms through social networks and through personal experimentation. Many participants suggested that methamphetamine was helpful in relieving exhaustion, alleviating some acute physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and providing a psychological distraction, although some admitted that methamphetamine use could incur additional health risks. To effectively use methamphetamine as a tactic of self-treatment, participants emphasized the importance of timing and dosing. Discussion: Among PWUIO in the Dayton area, methamphetamine use as a tactic to self-manage opioid withdrawal must be studied in relation to historical and evolving patterns of illicit opioid use and associated risks. More research is needed to understand the long-term health impacts of this emergent practice of polydrug use.
KW - Methamphetamine
KW - opioids
KW - polydrug use
KW - qualitative
KW - self-treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85110807777&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85110807777&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10826084.2021.1949612
DO - 10.1080/10826084.2021.1949612
M3 - Article
C2 - 34279180
AN - SCOPUS:85110807777
SN - 1082-6084
VL - 56
SP - 1687
EP - 1696
JO - Substance Use and Misuse
JF - Substance Use and Misuse
IS - 11
ER -