Physical and Psychological Harms and Health Consequences of Methamphetamine Use Amongst a Group of New Zealand Users
Author(s)
Butler, Rachael
Wheeler, Amanda
Sheridan, Janie
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2010
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Methamphetamine has become a drug of concern in many countries. This qualitative study reports on the historical and current psychological and physical health of a group of methamphetamine users in Auckland, New Zealand in 2004, most of whom were in drug treatment. Participants reported they had experienced a range of physical health problems including those relating to lack of eating, skin problems, and cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Psychological problems included hallucinatory experiences, lack of sleep, feelings and acts of aggression and poor self-esteem. SF-36 results indicated that current health status was ...
View more >Methamphetamine has become a drug of concern in many countries. This qualitative study reports on the historical and current psychological and physical health of a group of methamphetamine users in Auckland, New Zealand in 2004, most of whom were in drug treatment. Participants reported they had experienced a range of physical health problems including those relating to lack of eating, skin problems, and cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Psychological problems included hallucinatory experiences, lack of sleep, feelings and acts of aggression and poor self-esteem. SF-36 results indicated that current health status was perceived as generally 'good', possibly due to many having stopped using the drug. Many participants were poly drug users so attribution to methamphetamine use remains problematic. Despite this, and the limitations of a small, urban, New Zealand population, this study adds to the body of quantitative research in this area.
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View more >Methamphetamine has become a drug of concern in many countries. This qualitative study reports on the historical and current psychological and physical health of a group of methamphetamine users in Auckland, New Zealand in 2004, most of whom were in drug treatment. Participants reported they had experienced a range of physical health problems including those relating to lack of eating, skin problems, and cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Psychological problems included hallucinatory experiences, lack of sleep, feelings and acts of aggression and poor self-esteem. SF-36 results indicated that current health status was perceived as generally 'good', possibly due to many having stopped using the drug. Many participants were poly drug users so attribution to methamphetamine use remains problematic. Despite this, and the limitations of a small, urban, New Zealand population, this study adds to the body of quantitative research in this area.
View less >
Journal Title
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Volume
8
Issue
3
Subject
Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
Public Health and Health Services
Psychology