Table 3.
Themes related to barriers to methamphetamine (MA) abstinence by treatment status
| Barrier to abstinence, n (%) | No treatment (N=11) |
Treatment (N=9) |
Total (N=20) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social context: | |||
| Friends or partner using | 5 (45%) | 3 (33%) | 8 (40%) |
| Partner/family “enabled” MA use (e.g., partner provided money, ignored drug use) | 2 (18%) | 3 (33%) | 5 (25%) |
| Resided in a drug-using environment | 4 (36%) | 1 (11%) | 5 (25%) |
| Physical and psychological effects of MA | |||
| “Self-medicated”/used MA to cope with feelings or stress | 5 (45%) | 6 (67%) | 11 (55%) |
| Wanted/needed energy (e.g., to work, clean house) | 4 (36%) | 1 (11%) | 5 (25%) |
| For fun (e.g., adventure, excitement, euphoria) | 9 (82%) | 4 (44%) | 13 (65%) |
| Craving/addiction | 4 (36%) | 7 (78%) | 11 (55%) |
| Coming down is so hard, so kept using | 1 (9%) | 1 (11%) | 2 (10%) |
| Shift in thinking about self and/or MA use: | |||
| Self-doubt, identity as a MA user (e.g., it’s what I know best) | 2 (18%) | 3 (33%) | 5 (25%) |
| Reality testing (e.g., this time it will be different) | 3 (27%) | 1 (11%) | 4 (20%) |
| Other barriers: | |||
| Alcohol use (loosens inhibitions) | 2 (18%) | 2 (22%) | 4 (20%) |
| Having money | 1 (9%) | 1 (11%) | 2 (10%) |
| Psychosocial problems prior to drug use | 1 (9%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (5%) |
| No longer involved with Dept of Family Services | 1 (9%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (5%) |
| Having more free time | 1 (9%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (5%) |
| Average (SD) number of barriers reported: | 4.1 (2.2) | 3.7 (2.1) | 3.9 (3.9) |