Initiation of Methamphetamine Use Among Young Thai Drug Users: A Qualitative Study

Sherman, Susan G.; German, Danielle; Sirirojn, Bangorn; Thompson, Nick; Aramrattana, Apinun; Celentano, David D.

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.07.002

Cited by 51 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The target population's age and recruitment sites were greatly informed by an extensive 18-month formative, ethnographic research stage prior to the development and implementation of the trial (German, Sherman, Sirirojn, Thomson, Aramrattana, & Celentano, 2006; Sherman, Gann, German, Sirirojn, Thomson, Aramrattana et al , 2008; Sherman, German, Sirirojn, Thompson, Aramrattana, & Celentano, 2008). Index participants were eligible for the trial if they were between the ages of 18 and 25 at screening, used methamphetamine at least three times and had sex at least three times in the past three months, and were able to enroll at least one of their sex or drug network members in the study within 45 days of screening.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a peer network intervention trial among young methamphetamine users in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Sherman

Sutcliffe

Srirojn

et al. 2009

Social Science & Medicine

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Since the 1990s, there has been a proliferation of methamphetamine use in Thailand, particularly among young people. Simultaneously, risky sexual behaviors among this population have increased. This study examined the effects of a peer network intervention and a life skills intervention on methamphetamine and HIV risk behaviors among 18-25 year olds in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Between April 2005 and June 2007, we conducted a randomized behavioral trial to compare the efficacy of a peer educator, network-oriented intervention with a best practice, life-skills curriculum on methamphetamine use, sexual behaviors, and incident sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Followup occurred at three, six, nine, and twelve months. Both conditions consisted of seven, two hour, small group sessions. Longitudinal analyses of the three outcomes were conducted by fitting repeated measures logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations. Participants (N=983) attended a median of six sessions, with no differences between arms. At each follow-up visit, retention was greater than 85%. Participants were 75% male and were a median of 19 years old. Over time, participants in both conditions showed a significant and dramatic decline in self-reported methamphetamine use (99% at baseline versus 53% at 12-months, p<0.0001) and significant increase in consistent condom use (32% baseline versus 44% at 12 months, p<0.0001). Incident STIs were common, with no differences between arms. Chlamydia had the highest incidence rate, 9.85/100 person-years and HIV had a low incidence rate of 0.71/100 person-years. Among young Thais, we found that a peer educator, network-oriented intervention was associated with reductions in methamphetamine use, increases in condom use, and reductions in incident STIs over 12 months. We also found parallel reductions with the life skills condition. To our knowledge, this is the first such trial targeting this population. Small group interventions are an effective means of reducing methamphetamine use and sexual risk among Thai youth.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a peer network intervention trial among young methamphetamine users in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Sherman

Sutcliffe

Srirojn

et al. 2009

Social Science & Medicine

Self Cite

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“…The most frequent place of initiation was at a friend's house (n = 2,476, 33.2%). As for 2,595 of the (Höfler et al, 1999;Kokkevi, Gabhainn, & Spyropoulou, 2006;Van Etten and Anthony, 1999;van Ours & Williams, 2009), and a lower number have focused on other drugs (Sherman et al, 2008) or substance use in general (Hser, Grella, Collins, & Teruya, 2003). (marijuana,(15)(16)(17)heroin,(18)(19)(20)(21)amphetamines,(18)(19)(20)cocaine,(21)(22)LSD/synthetic hallucinogens,(18)(19)(20)and Ecstasy,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) (Thackway, Poder, & Summerill, 1999).…”

Section: Drug Initiation Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initiation to the First Drug Use Among Substance-Dependent Persons in Iran

Daneshmandan

Narenjiha

Tehrani³

et al. 2011

Substance Use & Misuse

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In the present study, we report the initiation to the first drug in a representative sample of drug dependents in Iran. This is a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 7,743. The participants were characterized as drug dependents according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fourth Edition and were sampled from the medical centers, prisons, and streets of the capitals of 29 provinces in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mean age at first drug use in the sample was 21.1 (6.5), which differed for various first drugs of abuse. Opium was the first drug of use among 46.4% of the sample, and cannabis was the first drug only among 23.5%. The most frequent place of initiation was at a friend's house (n = 2,476, 33.2%). The same-gender friend out of school (the highest rate) was the most frequent person who suggested the first use. A total of 43.5% of the participants started drug use with friends and 18.8% at a friend's party. Policymakers may benefit from considering the information provided here in designing programs with the purpose of prevention.

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“…Despite this policy, continued upward trends in illicit use were noted in 2008, with more than 80% of illicit-substance using Thais identifying MA as their primary drug of use (UNODC, 2011). Such trends were also associated with changing patterns of MA use, including a shift from primarily male laborers (who used the drug to work longer hours) to individuals doing so for purposes of recreation and performance enhancement (for reasons of curiosity, sexual activity, motorcycle racing, weight loss and school productivity), particularly among adolescent Thais of both sexes (Sherman et al, 2008, Sherman et al, 2009, Cohen, 2014). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex Differences in Methamphetamine Use and Dependence in a Thai Treatment Center

Rungnirundorn

Verachai

Gelernter

et al. 2017

Journal of Addiction Medicine

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Background and Objective Males and females who use methamphetamine (MA) differ in socio-demographics, MA diagnoses, co-morbidities, and brain activity. The objective of this study was to investigate sex differences in the characteristics of MA use and dependence in patients at a Thai substance treatment center. Methods Demographic, MA use, and diagnostic data for 782 MA users were obtained by using the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (SSADDA), Thai version. Categorical comparisons of males (n=413, 53%) and females (n=369, 47%) were made by chi-square test. Factors significantly differentiating men and women with respect to MA dependence were identified by logistic regression analysis controlling for demographic, diagnostic, and MA use variables. Results Males admitted to residential drug treatment for MA use had an earlier age of onset for both MA use (17.7±4.1 vs. 19.7±6.2 years, t=-5.3, p<0.001) and dependence (20.4±5.2 vs. 22.2±6.4 years, t=-3.6, p<0.001). Females were more likely than males to be MA dependent (79% vs. 60%, χ21=33.7, p<0.001), and to experience MA withdrawal (65.3% vs. 48.9%, χ21=21.4, p<0.001), withdrawal related hypersomnia (77.2% vs. 64.8%, χ21=14.5, p<0.001), fatigue (77.5% vs. 70.3%, χ21=5.2, p=0.02) and psychomotor retardation (64.5% vs. 57.0%, χ21=4.5, p=0.03). Similarly, females had heavier (e.g., largest daily amount (χ21=12.4, p<0.001), more frequent (χ21 =5.1, p=0.02)) and greater lifetime episodes of MA use (χ21=24.1, p<0.001) than males. After controlling for such variables by logistic regression, being female remained a significant factor influencing the occurrence of MA dependence (OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.8-4.1, p<0.001). Shared associated factors (or comorbidities) for MA dependence in both sexes included nicotine dependence (in males; OR=4.1, 95% CI=2.4-7.0, p<0.001 and in females; OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.3-4.4, p=0.007), greater lifetime episodes of MA use (in males; OR=3.5, 95% CI=1.9-6.4, p<0.001 and in females; OR=5.9, 95% CI=3.1-11.4, p<0.001) and more frequent use (in males; OR=5.1, 95% CI=2.8-9.1, p<0.001 and in females; OR=3.6, 95% CI=1.9-6.9, p<0.001). Comorbid antisocial personality disorder predicted MA dependence in males only (OR=3.7, 95% CI=1.6-8.6, p=0.002). Conclusions The current study highlights both common (e.g., nicotine dependence and severity of MA use) and sex-specific differences (e.g., MA use/dependence characteristics and comorbidities), including sex itself, with respect to MA dependence in a Thai treatment cohort.

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Initiation of Methamphetamine Use Among Young Thai Drug Users: A Qualitative Study

Abstract: Initiation was characterized as ubiquitous in terms of peer networks' use and availability. Because of the prevalent norm of MA use, these data indicate that interventions targeting social networks and young Thais before MA initiation are needed.

Cited by 51 publications

References 21 publications

Evaluation of a peer network intervention trial among young methamphetamine users in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Evaluation of a peer network intervention trial among young methamphetamine users in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Initiation to the First Drug Use Among Substance-Dependent Persons in Iran

Sex Differences in Methamphetamine Use and Dependence in a Thai Treatment Center

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