Research Report Methamphetamine use among incarcerated women

Problem Women face greater vulnerability to using stimulant drugs, their rate of incarceration for methamphetamine use is increasing, and women’s issues have been historically neglected in substance abuse research. This study examined demographic, social and psychological characteristics of incarcerated methamphetamine-using women that could influence service needs and utilization during incarceration. Method Incarcerated women completed individual interviews and questionnaires regarding drug use and other psychosocial variables. Psychosocial factors were examined according to lifetime drug use history. Comparison groups were: (1) nonstimulant drug users (n~16); (2) noninjection methamphetamine users (n~24); and (3) injection methamphetamine users (n~31). Psychosocial factors were also examined according to recent methamphetamine use. Recent use comparison groups were: (1) no recent drug use (n~18); (2) nonstimulant drug use (n~17); (3) noninjected methamphetamine (n~22); and (4) injected methamphetamine (n~20). Findings Nearly one-third of these incarcerated drug-using women had never before received substance abuse treatment. Drug abuse, sexual assault and concomitant psychiatric symptoms were high across the entire sample, but greatest for methamphetamine users. Conclusion Results revealed the complex psychosocial needs and risks that confront incarcerated methamphetamine-using women and pose serious threats to eventual drug recovery.