Reasons for using methamphetamine: Systematic review

Background and objectives

Use of methamphetamine has increased in the last decade. The reasons for using methamphetamine vary according to the characteristics of the users. The literature includes review studies on methamphetamine use; however, no systematic review on the reasons for using methamphetamine was found. This study aims to determine the reasons for methamphetamine use through a systematic review of the literature.

Method

The data from a systematic review of the literature review were reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid-Medline, and Google Scholar databases were scanned using the keywords “methamphetamine”, “crystal”, “meth”, “addiction”, “reason for use”, and “motivation to use”. The articles (n = 25,004) were reviewed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 21 articles were finally selected for this study.

Results

The reasons for using methamphetamine included improving performance, staying awake, increasing sexual performance and impulses, reducing the effects of withdrawal from other substances, coping with problems, socializing, having fun, and coping with pain and discomfort.

Discussion and conclusions

Methamphetamine users typically take this drug to provide performance enhancement and cope with problems in different areas. It is recommended to inform the users correctly about methamphetamine, to teach effective methods of coping with withdrawal, and to carry out supply prevention studies.

Scientific significance

This is the first systematic literature review to reveal the reasons why people take methamphetamine. Revealing these causes is very important in terms of intervention (basic, primary, secondary, and tertiary protection) strategies.