Methamphetamine Use in the Suburbs: An Exploratory Study

描述(申请人提供)：这项探索性研究的广泛、长期目标是了解郊区甲基苯丙胺吸毒者的新趋势，重点是吸毒者如何在生命过程中开始、维持、适度、减免或恢复使用甲基苯丙胺。居住在郊区的甲基苯丙胺吸毒者是一群难以接触到的隐藏的吸毒者，我们对甲基苯丙胺的启动机制和这一特殊人群中甲基苯丙胺的使用模式知之甚少。具体目标是：(1)调查居住在郊区的甲基苯丙胺吸毒者的启动模式、使用环境和使用行为；(2)确定郊区甲基苯丙胺吸毒者吸毒生涯的转变和转折点，重点关注整个生命过程中的社会角色。最近的健康研究发现，与其他非法药物的使用者相比，冰毒使用者的功能障碍水平更高，健康问题也更严重，包括风险更高的性行为和注射行为。主要的理论视角是符号互动理论和生命历程理论，特别是社会角色转换的概念。使用定性研究方法，将从佐治亚州亚特兰大郊区招募50名甲基苯丙胺活跃用户和50名曾经使用过甲基苯丙胺的便利样本。这些郊区被确定为美国受日益严重的甲基苯丙胺问题影响最大的地区之一。便利样本将以有针对性和理论性的抽样方法进行驱动。只有18岁及以上的用户才会接受采访，包括男性和女性以及非裔美国人、西班牙裔和白人用户。将使用吸毒史矩阵、生活史矩阵和深度录音访谈来记录吸毒史。扎根的理论方法将为数据收集和分析提供信息，其中将在从数据中出现其他主题时确定这些主题，并将在随后的访谈中支持对新发现的确认。数据分析包括参与者观察场笔记、吸毒史矩阵、生活史矩阵和深度访谈的三角测量。QSR N-Vivo计算机程序将用于帮助管理定性数据。从这项研究中获得的深入知识将有助于制定干预和预防举措，以阻止当前和未来的甲基苯丙胺流行病蔓延到郊区。这项研究的广泛结果将有助于发展未来的大规模研究研究，并指导假说的发展，以及为甲基苯丙胺使用者的治疗努力和公共卫生战略提供信息。这项研究的结果将有助于制定解决甲基苯丙胺使用问题的公共卫生倡议。最近的健康研究发现，与其他非法药物的使用者相比，冰毒使用者的功能障碍水平更高，健康问题也更严重，包括风险更高的性行为和注射行为。更好地了解甲基苯丙胺使用的社会背景和多样化模式，以及深入了解甲基苯丙胺使用者的多样性，将有助于制定更有效的预防和治疗方案。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The broad, long-term objective of this exploratory study is to gain an understanding of emerging trends among methamphetamine users in the suburbs, focusing on how users initiate, maintain, moderate, remit or resume use of methamphetamine over the life course. Methamphetamine users living in the suburbs comprise a hidden population of hard-to-reach drug users, and we know very little about the mechanisms of initiation to methamphetamine and patterns of methamphetamine use among this particular population. The specific aims are: (1) to examine the initiation patterns, settings of use, and use behaviors of methamphetamine users living in the suburbs; and (2) to identify the transitions and turning points in the drug career of suburban methamphetamine users, with a focus on social roles across the life course. Recent health studies have found that methamphetamine users have higher levels of dysfunction and more serious health problems than users of other illicit drugs, including riskier sexual behaviors and injection practices. The guiding theoretical perspectives are symbolic interaction and life course theory, specifically the concept of social role transitions. Using qualitative research methods, a convenience sample of 50 active and 50 former users of methamphetamine will be recruited from the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. These suburbs have been identified as one of the areas in the U.S. most affected by the growing methamphetamine problem. The convenience sample will be driven by targeted and theoretical sampling methods. Only users age 18 and older will be interviewed, including male and female as well as African American, Hispanic and white users. Drug use history will be captured using a drug history matrix, a life history matrix, and in-depth audio-recorded interviews. Grounded theory methods will inform the data collection and analysis, wherein additional themes will be identified as they emerge from the data and confirmation of new findings will be supported in subsequent interviews. Data analysis includes triangulation of participant observation field notes, drug history matrices, life history matrices and in-depth interviews. The QSR N-Vivo computer program will be used to help manage the qualitative data. The in-depth knowledge gained from this study will help in the development of intervention and prevention initiatives to impede the spread of current and future methamphetamine epidemics into the suburbs. The broad findings of the study will help in the development of future large-scale research studies and guide the development of hypotheses, as well as inform treatment efforts and public health strategies for methamphetamine users. The findings of this study will help develop public health initiatives to address methamphetamine use. Recent health studies have found that methamphetamine users have higher levels of dysfunction and more serious health problems than users of other illicit drugs, including riskier sexual behaviors and injection practices. A greater understanding of the social contexts and diverse patterns of methamphetamine use and an in-depth knowledge of the diversity of methamphetamine users will help in designing more effective prevention and treatment programs.