Methamphetamine Use Among Iranian Heroin Kerack-Dependent Women: Implications for Treatment

Background: co-use of heroin kerack with methamphetamine (ma) is a new epidemic health concern among iranian female drug users. yet, little is known about this issue because of stigma. objectives: the current study aimed to investigate the reasons associated with initial and continued co-use of heroin kerack with ma among two groups of regular and recreational female co-users, their motivations associated with treatment entry and to compare their general characteristics at a drop in center (dic) in tehran. materials and methods: 82 clients were randomly recruited. a researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect data. data was analyzed by performing descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and t-test. results: the mean age of the participants were 31 (sd = 8) years. reducing negative affect (55%), addicted family and social networks (50%), curiosity (48%), and the lack of knowledge on addictive effects of co-use of heroin kerack with ma (32%) were the most frequently reported reasons at initiation. drug dependence (71%) and drug availability (56%) were reasons of continued co-use. restoring health (61%), fear from becoming ma abuser only (33%), and fear from making a transition from heroin kerack and ma smoking to injection (15%) were important motivations for treatment entry. regular co-users were more likely to be single (41.7% vs. 14.7%, p < 0.001), jobless (45.8% vs. 38.2, p < 0.05), homemaker (50% vs. 35.3%, p < 0.01), recently incarcerated (16.7% vs. 11.7%, p < 0.01), and were less likely to be enrolled in opioid replacement programs (33.5% vs. 41%, p < 0.01). regular co-users were younger (30.6 vs. 32.1 years, p < 0.05), less educated (9.6 vs. 10.8 years, p < 0.05) and had a longer duration of drug dependence (9.6 vs. 8 years, p < 0.05). conclusions: reasons associated with initial and continued co-use of heroin kerack with ma, factors associated with treatment entry and the differences between regular and recreational co-users should be specifically considered in designing and tailoring drug use treatment programs for this group.