Reasons for using methamphetamine: Systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Addiction research
• Public health
• Psychopharmacology

Background:

• Methamphetamine use has risen significantly in the past decade.
• Reasons for methamphetamine use are diverse and user-dependent.
• A systematic review on the motivations for methamphetamine use was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and identify the primary reasons for methamphetamine use.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of user motivations for methamphetamine consumption.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Searched major databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid-Medline, Google Scholar) using keywords like 'methamphetamine', 'addiction', and 'reason for use'.
• Screened over 25,000 articles, selecting 21 for final analysis based on inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Main Results:

• Key reasons for methamphetamine use include performance enhancement and increased wakefulness.
• Users also reported using methamphetamine for sexual enhancement, managing withdrawal symptoms, coping with problems, socializing, and pain relief.
• Motivations are multifaceted, encompassing functional, emotional, and social aspects.

Conclusions:

• Methamphetamine is often used for performance enhancement and as a coping mechanism for various life problems.
• Informing users about methamphetamine risks, providing effective withdrawal management, and implementing supply reduction are recommended.
• Identifying these reasons is vital for designing targeted intervention and prevention strategies for methamphetamine addiction.