Widening the debate on the drug policy ratchet: response to commentaries

Measham, Fiona; Stevens, Alex

doi:10.1111/add.12617

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…By exploring participants' perspectives on which factors have shaped differing pathways of ATS consumption, we seek to better inform public health responses to drug use and to challenge biomedical models of addiction (Dwyer & Moore, 2013;Reinarman, 2005;Seddon, 2006Seddon, , 2011. These kinds of insights help to identify optimum moments for intervention, prevention and treatment, and ensure better informed public health policy decisions (Measham & Stevens, 2014;Seddon, 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

Exploring pathways into and out of amphetamine type stimulant use at critical turning points: a qualitative interview study

Addison

Kaner

Spencer

et al. 2020

Health Sociology Review

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Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) are increasingly used drugs globally. There is limited evidence about what shapes ATS use at critical turning points located within drug using pathways. Using turning point theory, as part of a life course approach, the ATTUNE study aimed to understand which social, economic and individual factors shape pathways into and out of ATS use. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews (n = 70) were undertaken with individuals who had used ATS, or had been exposed to them at least once. Our findings show that turning points for initiation were linked to pleasure, curiosity, boredom and declining mental health; increased use was linked to positive effects experienced at initiation and multiple life-stressors, leading to more intense use. Decreased use was prompted by pivotal events and sustained through continued wellbeing, day-today structure, and non-using social networks. We argue that the heterogeneity of these individuals challenges stereotypes of stimulant use allied to nightclubs and 'hedonism'. Further, at critical turning points for recovery, the use of services for problematic ATS consumption was low because users prioritised their alcohol or opioid use when seeking help. There is a need to develop service provision, training, and better outreach to individuals who need support at critical turning points.

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confidence: 99%