Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Methamphetamine (MA) misuse is a recognised health issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, and there is a lack of appropriate treatment available for individuals who are methamphetamine dependent. This exploratory study, undertaken in 2019, sought to gain insight from individuals in Aotearoa who have experienced MA dependence and now identify as being in recovery, to discover which strategies, approaches or treatment appeared helpful in their recovery.METHODS: The participants in the study were seven adults (New Zealand European, Samoan and Māori ethnicity) who had abstained from methamphetamine for six months or more. In-depth interviews were audiotaped and transcribed before being analysed. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which has its theoretical origins in phenomenology and hermeneutics.FINDINGS: Four themes emerged to describe the lived experience of recovery from methamphetamine misuse: Getting Away, Support, Personal Sources of Strength, and Treatment. Each theme held importance in the participants’ recovery from MA and provided insight into their journey in abstaining and being in recovery.CONCLUSIONS: These findings may be used to assist others entering recovery. The present findings are limited by the size of the sample; however, they provide valuable information on this important health issue as a basis for further research, which is urgently needed in Aotearoa.
Highlights
MethodsThe participants in the study were seven adults (New Zealand European, Samoan and Maori ethnicity) who had abstained from methamphetamine for six months or more
Methamphetamine (MA) misuse is a recognised health issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, and there is a lack of appropriate treatment available for individuals who are methamphetamine dependent
The present findings are limited by the size of the sample; they provide valuable information on this important health issue as a basis for further research, which is urgently needed in Aotearoa
Summary
The participants in the study were seven adults (New Zealand European, Samoan and Maori ethnicity) who had abstained from methamphetamine for six months or more. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which has its theoretical origins in phenomenology and hermeneutics. This study was motivated by the first author noticing the harm MA was causing for individuals and wider communities in Aotearoa New Zealand through coverage in the media as well as insights gained from facilitating mental health treatment for her clients. Despite this concern, the first author was committed when interviewing the participants, to have utmost respect, objectivity and nonjudgement when gaining insight into their personal experiences. Hermeneutic phenomenology was the theoretical framework for this research
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