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 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 meth- amphetamine. Revealing these causes is very important in terms of intervention (basic, primary, secondary, and tertiary protection) strategies.