Cessation strategies used successfully by individuals in recovery from methamphetamine addiction

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Methamphetamine (MA) misuse is a recognised health issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, and there is a lack of appropriate treatment available for individuals who are methamphetamine dependent. This exploratory study, undertaken in 2019, sought to gain insight from individuals in Aotearoa who have experienced MA dependence and now identify as being in recovery, to discover which strategies, approaches or treatment appeared helpful in their recovery.METHODS: The participants in the study were seven adults (New Zealand European, Samoan and Māori ethnicity) who had abstained from methamphetamine for six months or more. In-depth interviews were audiotaped and transcribed before being analysed. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which has its theoretical origins in phenomenology and hermeneutics.FINDINGS: Four themes emerged to describe the lived experience of recovery from methamphetamine misuse: Getting Away, Support, Personal Sources of Strength, and Treatment. Each theme held importance in the participants’ recovery from MA and provided insight into their journey in abstaining and being in recovery.CONCLUSIONS: These findings may be used to assist others entering recovery. The present findings are limited by the size of the sample; however, they provide valuable information on this important health issue as a basis for further research, which is urgently needed in Aotearoa.

Cannabis and methamphetamine in New Zealand: a Kaupapa Māori literature review

“…Most were journal articles (n=20, 67%). 9-28 Also included were four reports, [29][30][31][32] four theses 3,[33][34][35] and two magazine articles. 36,37 Nearly two thirds (60%) were published within the last 5 years (2018-2022).…”

“…36,37 Nearly two thirds (60%) were published within the last 5 years (2018-2022). 3,[9][10][11][12][13]15,[22][23][24]27,[30][31][32][33][34][35]37 While all articles included some content about Māori, clearly identifiable Māori research leadership (e.g., Māori primary author, located within Māori research centre) was evident in 11/30 of the articles. 18,19,22,23,36 Nearly half (n=14) of the articles focussed only on cannabis; the main focus from these articles were around the cannabis referendum and Māori views of decriminalisation and/or legalisation.…”

“…On the other hand, articles focussed on methamphetamine took a different approach and primarily addressed the justice system, and whānau wellbeing. 11,12,24,27,28,31,33,34 While cannabis has been widely used in New Zealand for decades, methamphetamine continues to have lower rates of use, holds more severe judicial penalties and is related to higher rates of harm, particularly in the Māori population. 5 Those articles focussed on methamphetamine therefore focussed on the impacts and legal issues.…”

“…Finally, notwithstanding Theodore et al's comprehensive discussion on the harms associated with cannabis, and the lived experience insights shared by Dance, Gordon (2019) and Swinton, 33,34,35 there is a pressing need to comprehend the lived experience of Māori whānau concerning both cannabis and methamphetamine use, distinct from those directly resulting from the ways in which justice and social systems address drugrelated issues. 6,33,35 Moreover, in a broader colonial context, it is essential to consider that cannabis and methamphetamine may potentially be perceived as providing therapeutic benefits to those most deprived.…”