Methamphetamine use among young adults: health and social consequences.
The current research analyzed the relationship between methamphetamine use and health and social outcomes. Interviews were conducted with a sample of 106 respondents. Virtually all of the respondents experienced negative consequences of methamphetamine use. The most serious, but least prevalent, methamphetamine-related health problem was seizures and convulsions. The most prevalent health effect was weight lose. A substantial number of respondents experienced severe psychological symptoms: depression, hallucinations, and paranoia. Of the 106 respondents, 34.9% had committed violence while under the influence of methamphetamine. The data suggest that methamphetamine-based violence was more likely to occur within private domestic contexts, both family and acquaintance relationships. It is apparent from the findings that methamphetamine use heightens the risk for negative health, psychological, and social outcomes. Having said this, it is crucial to acknowledge that there was no evidence of a single, uniform career path that all chronic methamphetamine users follow. Furthermore, a significant number of sample members experienced limited or no serious social, psychological, or physical dysfunction as a result of their methamphetamine use.
Sommers
Ira
I
California State University-Los Angeles, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032, United States. isommer@calstatela.edu
Baskin
Deborah
D
Baskin-Sommers
Arielle
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine