«No soy una adicta»: Un análisis temático de las experiencias de adicción entre mujeres chinas consumidoras de metanfetaminas “I’m not an addict”: A thematic analysis of addiction experiences among Chinese female methamphetamine users

Autores/as

  • Liu Liu Universidad de Nanjing
  • Wing Hong Chui Universidad de la ciudad de Hong Kong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20882/adicciones.1453

Palabras clave:

Metanfetaminas, Experiencias de adicción, Consumi-doras chinas de sustancias, Análisis temático Methamphetamine, Addiction experiences, Chinese female drug users, Thematic analysis

Resumen

El consumo de metanfetaminas (meta) se ha convertido en una epidemia grave de salud en China, y el número de consumidoras de meta ha aumentado de manera importante en la última década. Sin embargo, rara vez se había estudiado los patrones de adicción a la meta entre mujeres chinas hasta hace poco. Para llenar el vacío, este estudio realizó un análisis temático para investigar las experiencias de adicción de mujeres chinas consumidoras de meta, en base a las transcripciones de 49 entrevistas semi-estructuradas. Estos hallazgos revelan que las chinas consumidoras de meta piensan, en general, que la meta no es físicamente adictiva– a pesar de que pueda provocarles dependencia psicológica. El consumo de meta les genera un disfrute psicológico, además de cumplir otras funciones. Por ejemplo, algunas personas la necesitan para aliviar el estrés, mantenerse en forma, disminuir el dolor, curar enfermedades y afrontar el alcoholismo. Los hallazgos también muestran que el consumo de meta es indispensable en algunas clases sociales específicas, según el nivel socioeconómico de las consumidoras, en particular entre aquellas de niveles socioeconómicos bajos. Mediante la comprensión de sus experiencias en torno a la adicción a la meta, se recomiendan programas educativos formales como la exposición a redes sociales para aportar a las mujeres consumidoras de meta –en particular las de clases sociales de alto riesgo– conocimientos actualizados y adecuados sobre la sustancia. Los tratamientos también requieren programas educativos. Es más, se recomiendan intervenciones dirigidas y programas de apoyo social para ayudar a las consumidoras de meta a evitar problemas graves de salud debido a su consumo.
Methamphetamine (meth) use has become a serious health epidemic in China, and the number of female meth users has risen substantially in the previous decade. However, until recently, patterns of meth addiction among Chinese women were rarely studied. To fill the void, this study implemented a thematic analysis approach to investigate Chinese female meth users’ addiction experiences based on 49 semi-structured interview transcripts. The findings reveal that Chinese female meth users generally believe that meth is not physically addictive, but can cause their psychological dependence. Meth use leads to users’ psychological enjoyment, and in addition to this, it has other functions. For example, some people use meth as a necessity to relieve stress, keep fit, alleviate pain, cure diseases, and deal with alcoholism. The findings also demonstrate that meth use is indispensable in particular social networks based on participants’ socioeconomic backgrounds, especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. By understanding their experiences on meth addiction, both formal educational programs and social media exposure are suggested to provide female meth users, especially those situated in high-risk social networks, with adequate and up-to-date meth knowledge. Educational programs are also needed during treatment. Targeted interventions and social support programs are further recommended to help female meth users avoid severe health issues due to meth consumption.

Biografía del autor/a

Liu Liu, Universidad de Nanjing

Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Conductuales, Universidad de Nanjing, Nanjing. China.

Wing Hong Chui, Universidad de la ciudad de Hong Kong

Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Conductuales, Universidad de la ciudad de Hong Kong. Hong Kong.

Citas

Ahamad, K., DeBeck, K., Feng, C., Sakakibara, T., Kerr, T. y Wood, E. (2014). Gender influences on initiation of injecting drug use. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 40, 151-156. doi:10.3109/00952990.2013.860983.

Akers, R. L. (1991). Addiction: The troublesome concept. The Journal of Drug Issues, 21, 777-793. doi:10.1177/002204269102100407.

Anglin, M. D., Burke, C., Perrochet, B., Stamper, E. y Dawud-Noursi, S. (2000). History of the methamphetamine problem. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 32, 137-141. doi:10.1080/02791072.2000.10400221.

Askew, R. (2016). Functional fun: Legitimising adult recreational drug use. International Journal of Drug Policy, 36, 112-119. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.04.018.

Baek, R. N., Tanenbaum, M. L. y Gonzalez, J. S. (2014). Diabetes burden and diabetes distress: The buffering effect of social support. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 48, 145-155. doi:10.1007/s12160-013-9585-4.

Bairan, A., Boeri, M. y Morian, J. (2014). Methamphetamine use among suburban women: Implications for nurse practitioners. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 26, 620-628. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12107.

Baracz, S. J. y Cornish, J. L. (2016). The neurocircuitry involved in oxytocin modulation of methamphetamine addiction. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 43, 1-18. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.08.001.

Barr, A. M., Panenka, W. J., MacEwan, G. W., Thornton, A. E., Lang, D. J., Honer, W. G. y Lecomte, T. (2006). The need for speed: An update on methamphetamine addiction. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 31, 301-313.

Boeri, M. (2013). Women on ice: Methamphetamine use among suburban women. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

Boeri, M. W., Harbry, L. y Gibson, D. (2009). A qualitative exploration of trajectories among suburban users of methamphetamine. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 3, 139-151.

Braun, V. y Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77-101. doi:10.1191/1478088706QP063OA.

Brecht, M. L., O’Brien, A., von Mayrhauser, C. y Anglin, M. D. (2004). Methamphetamine use behaviors and gender differences. Addictive Behaviors, 29, 89-106. doi:10.1016/s0306-4603(03)00082-0.

Broadhead, R. S., Heckathorn, D. D., Weakliem, D. L., Anthony, D. L., Madray, H., Mills, R. J. y Hughes, J. (1998). Harnessing peer networks as an instrument for AIDS prevention: Results from a peer-driven intervention. Public Health Reports, 113 (Suppl. 1), 42-57.

Chui, W. H. (2016). Incarceration and family stress as understood through the family process theory: Evidence from Hong Kong. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 881. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00881.

Comité nacional de control de narcóticos de China (National Narcotics Control Commission of China) (2019). Annual report on drug-using situation in China-2018. Beijing, China: Ministry of Public Security.

Decorte, T. (2001). Drug users’ perceptions of ‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ use. International Journal of Drug Policy, 12, 297-320. doi:10.1016/S0955-3959(01)00095-0.

Degenhardt, L., Sara, G., McKetin, R., Roxburgh, A., Dobbins, T., Farrell, M., … Hall, W. D. (2017). Crystalline methamphetamine use and methamphetamine-related harms in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 36, 160-170. doi:10.1111/dar.12426.

Dennis, F. y Farrugia, A. (2017). Materialising drugged pleasures: Practice, politics, care. International Journal of Drug Policy, 49, 86-91. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.10.001.

Dluzen, D. E. y Liu, B. (2008). Gender differences in methamphetamine use and responses: A review. Gender Medicine, 5, 24-35. doi:10.1016/S1550-8579(08)80005-8.

Elkashef, A., Vocci, F., Hanson, G., White, J., Wickes, W. y Tiihonen, J. (2008). Pharmacotherapy of methamphetamine addiction: An update. Substance Abuse, 29, 31-49. doi:10.1080/08897070802218554.

Ettorre, B. (1989). Women and substance use/abuse: Towards a feminist perspective or how to make dust fly. Women’s Studies International Forum, 12, 593-602. doi:10.1016/0277-5395(89)90003-4.

Faller, H., Weis, J., Koch, U., Brähler, E., Härter, M., Keller, M. …Mehnert, A. (2016). Perceived need for psychosocial support depending on emotional distress and mental comorbidity in men and women with cancer. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 81, 24-30. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.12.004.

Flick, U. (2014). An introduction to qualitative research. (5th ed.). London: Sage Publication.

Giesbrecht, G. F., Poole, J. C., Letourneau, N., Campbell, T. y Kaplan, B. J. y APrON Study Team. (2013). The buffering effect of social support on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function during pregnancy. Psychosomatic Medicine, 75, 856-862. doi:10.1097/PSY.0000000000000004.

Hathaway, A., Comeau, N. C. y Erickson, P. G. (2011). Cannabis normalization and stigma: Contemporary practices of moral regulation. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 11, 451-469. doi:10.1177/1748895811415345.

He, J., Xie, Y., Tao, J., Su, H., Wu, W., Zou, S., …Zhang, X. Y. (2013). Gender differences in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of methamphetamine inpatients in a Chinese population. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 130, 94-100. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.10.014.

Hobkirk, A. L., Watt, M. H., Myers, B., Skinner, D. y Meade, C. S. (2016). A qualitative study of methamphetamine initiation in Cape Town, South Africa. International Journal of Drug Policy, 30, 99-106. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.10.006.

Hser, Y., Evans, E. y Huang, Y. (2005). Treatment outcomes among women and men methamphetamine abusers in California. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 28, 77-85. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2004.10.009.

Jia, Z., Liu, Z., Chu, P., McGoogan, J. M., Cong, M., Shi, J. y Lu, L. (2015). Tracking the evolution of drug abuse in China, 2003–2010: A retrospective, self-controlled study. Addiction, 110 (Suppl. 1), 4-10. doi:10.1111/add.12769.

Johnson, B. (1999). Three perspectives on addiction. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 47, 791-815. doi: 10.1177/00030651990470031301.

Kerley, K. R., Leban, L., Copes, H., Taylor, L. y Agnone, C. (2014). Methamphetamine using careers of white and black women. Deviant Behavior, 35, 477-495. doi:10.1080/01639625.2013.859046.

Khantzian, E. J. (2003). Understanding addictive vulnerability: An evolving psychodynamic perspective. Neuro-Psychoanalysis, 5, 5-21. doi:10.1080/15294145.2003.10773403.

Latkin, C. A., Sherman, S. G. y Knowlton, A. (2003). HIV prevention among drug users: Outcome of a network-oriented peer outreach intervention. Health Psychology, 22, 332-339. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.22.4.332.

Lende, D., Leonard, T., Sterk, C. y Elifson, K. (2007). Functional methamphetamine use: The insider’s perspective. Addiction Research and Theory, 15, 465-477. doi:10.1080/16066350701284552.

Levitt, H. M., Bamberg, M., Creswell, J. W., Frost, D. M., Josselson, R. y Suárez-Orozco, C. (2018). Journal article reporting standards for qualitative primary, qualitative meta-analytic, and mixed methods research in psychology: The APA Publications and Communications Board task force report. American Psychologist, 73, 26-46. doi:10.1037/amp0000151.

Ley antidroga de la República Popular China (Anti-Drug Law of the People’s Republic of China). (2007). Base de datos de legislación y reglamentos-legislación penal. Recuperado de http://www.npc.gov.cn/englishnpc/Law/2009-02/20/content_1471610.htm (visitado el 26 de diciembre de 2017).

Liang, X. y Zheng, Y. (2015). Problems and solutions on drug prevention education in China. Health Vocational Education, 33, 21-23.

Lim, S. H., Akbar, M., Wickersham, J. A., Kamarulzaman, A. y Altice, F. L. (2018). The management of methamphetamine use in sexual settings among men who have sex with men in Malaysia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 55, 256-262. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.02.019.

Liu, H. y Liu, X. (2011). Sociological review on influencing factors on Chinese female drug using. Academics, 6, 166-173.

Liu, L. y Chai, X. (2020). Pleasure and risk: A qualitative study of sexual behaviors among Chinese methamphetamine users. The Journal of Sex Research, 57, 119-128. doi:10.1080/00224499.2018.1493083.

Liu, L. y Chui, W. H. (2014). Social support and Chinese female offenders’ prison adjustment. The Prison Journal, 94, 30-51. doi:10.1177/0032885513512084.

Liu, L. y Chui, W. H. (2018). Rehabilitation policy for drug addicted offenders in China: Current trends, patterns, and practice implications. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 28, 192-204. doi:10.1080/02185385.2018.1482779.

Liu, L. y Hsiao, S. C. (2018). Chinese female drug users’ experiences and attitudes with institutional drug treatment. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 62, 4221-4235. doi:10.1177/0306624X18758894.

Liu, L., Chui, W. H. y Chai, X. (2018). A qualitative study of methamphetamine initiation among Chinese male users: Patterns and policy implications. International Journal of Drug Policy, 62, 37-42. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.08.017.

Liu, L., Hsiao, S. C. y Kaplan, C. (2016). Drug initiation of female detainees in a compulsory drug treatment institution in China. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 48, 393-401. doi:10.1080/02791072.2016.1234088.

Loza, O., Ramos, R., Ferreira-Pinto, J., Hernandez, M. T. y Villalobos, S. A. (2016). A qualitative exploration of perceived gender differences in methamphetamine use among women who use methamphetamine on the Mexico-U.S. border. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 15, 405-424. doi:10.1080/15332640.2015.1070392.

Ma, J. Z., Johnson, B. A., Yu, E., Weiss, D., McSherry, F., Saadvandi, J.,…Li, M. D. (2013). Fine-grain analysis of the treatment effect of topiramate on methamphetamine addiction with latent variable analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 130, 45-51. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.10.009.

Marshall, B. D. L. y Werb, D. (2010). Health outcomes associated with methamphetamine use among young people: A systematic review. Addiction, 105, 991-1002. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02932.x.

McKetin, R., Kozel, N., Douglas, J., Ali, R., Vicknasingam, B., Lund, J. y Li, J.-H. (2008). The rise of methamphetamine in Southeast and East Asia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 27, 220-228. doi:10.1080/09595230801923710.

Meade, C. S., Toweb, S. L., Wattc, M. H., Liond, R. R., Myerse, B., Skinnerf, D.,… Pieterseh, D. (2015). Addiction and treatment experiences among active methamphetamine users recruited from a township community in Cape Town, South Africa: A mixed-methods study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 152, 79-86. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.04.016.

Miles, M. B. y Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Oficina de las Naciones Unidas contra la Droga y el Delito (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) (2017). World drug report 2017. Vienna, Australia: United Nations. Recuperado de https://www.unodc.org/wdr2017/field/Booklet_1_EXSUM.pdf.

Oficina de las Naciones Unidas contra la Droga y el Delito (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime). (2016). World drug report 2016. Recuperado de https://www.unodc.org/doc/wdr2016/WORLD_DRUG_REPORT_2016_web.pdf .

Parsons, J. T., Kelly, B. C. y Weiser, J. D. (2007). Initiation into methamphetamine use for young gay and bisexual men. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 90, 135-144. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.02.017.

Pascari, E. (2016). Perspectives on addiction. Romanian Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Hypnosis, 3, 29-34.

Pennay, A. y Moore, D. (2010). Exploring the micro-politics of normalisation: Narratives of pleasure, self-control and desire in a sample of young Australian ‘party drug’ users. Addiction Research and Theory, 18, 557-571. doi:10.3109/16066350903308415.

Peretti-Watel, P. y Moatti, J.-P. (2006). Understanding risk behaviours: How the sociology of deviance may contribute? The case of drug taking. Social Science and Medicine, 63, 675-679. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.01.029.

Petit, A., Karila, L., Chalmin, F. y Lejoyeux, M. (2012). Methamphetamine addiction: A review of the literature. Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy, S1, 006. doi:10.4172/2155-6105.S1-006.

Potvin, S., Pelletier, J., Grot, S., Hébert, C., Barr, A. y Lecomte, T. (2018). Cognitive deficits in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder: A meta-analysis. Addictive Behaviors, 80, 154-160. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.01.021.

Radcliffe, P. y Stevens, A. (2008). Are drug treatment services only for ‘thieving junkie scumbags’? Drug users and the management of stigmatized identities. Social Science and Medicine, 67, 1065-1073. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.004.

Rawson, R. A. y Condon, T. P. (2007). Why do we need an Addiction supplement focused on methamphetamine? Addiction, 102 (Suppl. 1), 1-4. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01781.x.

Rhodes, T., Bivol, S., Sculteniciuc, O., Hunt, N., Bernays, S. y Busza, J. (2011). Narrating the social relations of initiating injecting drug use: Transitions in self and society. International Journal of Drug Policy, 22, 445-454. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2011.07.012.

Riley, S., Thompson, J. y Griffin, C. (2010). Turn on, tune in, but don’t drop out: The impact of neo-liberalism on magic mushroom users’ (in)ability to imagine collectivist social worlds. International Journal of Drug Policy, 21, 445-451. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2010.07.001.

Rose, M. E. y Grant, J. E. (2008). Pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine dependence: A review of the pathophysiology of methamphetamine addiction and the theoretical basis and efficacy of pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, 20, 145-155. doi:10.1080/10401230802177656.

Sandberg, S. (2013). Cannabis culture: A stable subculture in a changing world. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 13, 63-79. doi:10.1177/1748895812445620.

Saw, Y. M., Saw, T. N., Yasuoka, J., Chan, N., Kham, N. P. E., Khine, W., … Jimba, M. (2017). Gender difference in early initiation of methamphetamine use among current methamphetamine users in muse, Northern Shan State, Myanmar. Harm Reduction Journal, 14, 21. doi:10.1186/s12954-017-0147-0.

Semple, S. J., Grant, I. y Patterson, T. L. (2005). Female methamphetamine users: Social characteristics and sexual risk behavior. Women y Health, 40, 35-50. doi:10.1300/J013v40n03_03.

Semple, S. J., Zians, J., Strathdee, S. A. y Patterson, T. L. (2007). Psychosocial and behavioral correlates of depressed mood among female methamphetamine users. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Suppl. 4, 353-366. doi:10.1080/02791072.2007.10399897.

Shen, W., Liu, Y., Li, L., Zhang, Y. y Zhou, W. (2012). Negative moods correlate with craving in female methamphetamine users enrolled in compulsory detoxification. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 7, 44. doi:10.1186/1747-597X-7-44.

Shenton, A. K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Education for Information, 22, 63–75. doi:10.3233/EFI-2004-223-404.

Sheridan, J., Butler, R. y Wheeler, A. (2009). Initiation into methamphetamine use: Qualitative findings from an exploration of first time use among a group of New Zealand users. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 41, 11-17. doi:10.1080/02791072.2009.10400670.

Sherman, S. G., German, D., Sirirojn, B., Thompson, N., Aramrattana, A. y Celentano, D. D. (2008). Initiation of methamphetamine use among young Thai drug users: A qualitative study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 42, 36-42. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.07.002.

Shildrick. T. (2002). Young people, illicit drug use and the question of normalization. Journal of Youth Studies, 5, 35-48. doi:10.1080/13676260120111751.

Sukariyah, M. B. y Sidani, R. A. (2014). Prevalence of and gender differences in weight, body, and eating related perceptions among lebanese high school students: Implications for school counseling. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 159, 184-191. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.12.354.

Sussman, S. y Sussman, A. N. (2011). Considering the definition of addiction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8, 4025-4038. doi:doi:10.3390/ijerph8104025.

Tracy, E. M., Munson, M. R., Peterson, L. T. y Floersch, J. E. (2010). Social support: A mixed blessing for women in substance abuse treatment. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 10, 257-282. doi:10.1080/1533256X.2010.500970.

Venios, K. y Kelly, J. F. (2010). The rise, risks, and realities of methamphetamine use among women: Implications for research, prevention and treatment. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 21, 14-21. doi:10.3109/10884601003628120.

Williams, L. (2016). Muddy waters?: Reassessing the dimensions of the normalisation thesis in twenty-first century Britain. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 23, 190-201. doi:10.3109/09687637.2016.1148118.

Yuan, J., Lv, R., Braši, J. R., Han, M., Liu, X., Wang, Y., …Deng, Y. (2014) Dopamine transporter dysfunction in Han Chinese people with chronic methamphetamine dependence after a short-term abstinence. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 221, 92-96. doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2013.11.005.

Zhang, Y., Feng, B., Geng, W., Owens, L. y Xi, J. (2016). “Overconfidence” versus “helplessness”: A qualitative study on abstinence self-efficacy of drug users in a male compulsory drug detention center in China. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 11, 29. doi:10.1186/s13011-016-0073-2.

Zhuang, S. y Chen, F. (2016). Chinese adolescents and youth with methamphetamine dependence: Prevalence and concurrent psychological problems. Nursing Research, 65, 117-124. doi:10.1097/NNR.0000000000000141.

Zinberg, N. E. (1984). Drug, Set and Setting: The Basis for Controlled Intoxicant Use. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

Zorick, T., Nestor, L., Miotto, K., Sugar, C., Hellemann, G., Scanlon, G…. London, E. D. (2010). Withdrawal symptoms in abstinent methamphetamine-dependent subjects. Addiction, 105, 1809-1818. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03066.x.

Descargas

Publicado

2025-05-30

Número

Vol. 37 Núm. 2 (2025)

Sección

Originales