Methamphetamine use in Central Germany: protocol for a qualitative study exploring requirements and challenges in healthcare from the professionals' perspective

Abstract

IntroductionThe synthetic drug methamphetamine with its high addiction potential is associated with substantial adverse health effects. In Germany, especially Central Germany, the increase in the consumption of methamphetamine has exceeded that of other illegal drugs. The treatment system and service providers are facing new challenges due to this rise in consumption. This qualitative study will explore the demand created by the increasing healthcare needs of methamphetamine-addicted persons in Central Germany, and the difficulty of rehabilitating addicted people.Methods and analysisThe collection of empirical data will take place in a consecutive, two-stage process. In the first part of data collection, the experiences and perspectives of 40 professionals from numerous healthcare sectors for methamphetamine-addicted persons will be explored with the help of semistructured face-to-face interviews and probed by the research team. These findings will be discussed in 2 focus groups consisting of the participants of the face-to-face interviews; these group discussions comprise the second part of the data collection process. The interviews will be audio recorded, transcribed, and then subjected to qualitative content analysis.Ethics and disseminationAll interviewees will receive comprehensive written information about the study, and sign a declaration of consent prior to the interview. The study will comply rigorously with data protection legislation. The research team has obtained the approval of the Ethical Review Committee at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. The results of the study will be published in high-quality, peer-reviewed international journals, presented at several congresses and used to design follow-up research projects.Trial registration numberVfD_METH_MD_15_003600.

Analysis of N,N‐dimethylamphetamine in wastewater – a pyrolysis marker and synthesis impurity of methamphetamine

“…Similarly, population‐normalised DMA and MA loads did not show any weekend peak, which was commonly seen for cocaine and MDMA. This is in agreement with results from previous studies, which suggested that MA is consumed constantly across the whole week (ie, regular use not limited to nightlife) …”

“…This is in agreement with results from previous studies, which suggested that MA is consumed constantly across the whole week (ie, regular use not limited to nightlife). 22,33,41 Multi-year data was available for one location (ie, QLD1). Interestingly, DMA/MA ratios varied greatly between 2011 and 2013, whilst a sharp decrease was observed from 2014.…”

Erhebung der Motive für den Konsum amphetaminartiger Substanzen anhand von Mind Maps

“…Die Gefahren durch amphetaminartige Substanzen (ATS), insbesondere durch Methamphetamin, sind schwerwiegend, gehen mit ihrem hohen Abhängigkeitspotential doch vermehrt kardiovaskuläre und zerebrovaskuläre Erkrankungen, Infektionskrankheiten, Abszesse, Zahnschäden sowie kognitive Beeinträchtigungen, Depression und Psychosen [1][2][3][4] einher. Um diesen Begleiterkrankungen vorzubeugen, aber auch um der wachsenden Nachfrage der Betroffenen nach therapeutischen Maßnahmen [4,5] Rechnung zu tragen, gilt es, geeignete Präventions-und Interventionsmaßnahmen zu entwickeln.…”

Methamphetaminkonsum in Mitteldeutschland: Eine qualitative Studie zu Konsumentengruppen und -motiven aus Expertensicht

“…Bei der Auswahl der Teilnehmer für die Fokusgruppen wurde darauf geachtet, möglichst heterogene Gruppen, d. h. Experten aus unterschiedlichen Versorgungsbereichen, zu gewinnen, um ein breites Spektrum an Expertenwissen diskutieren und reflektieren zu können. Nähere Informationen zum methodischen Vorgehen und dem Gesamtkontext der Studie sind im Studienprotokoll zu finden [31].…”