Motivations for Methamphetamine (Mkpurummiri) Use and Consequences Among Nigerian Users

Abstract

Media reports show that methamphetamine use is growing in Nigeria, but there is a paucity of empirical research that examines the motivations for, and consequences of, using the drug. In this study, we explored motivations or reasons for methamphetamine use and implications among 18 users and service providers. We analysed the data thematically to generate themes. The findings show that while most users initiated methamphetamine use in friendship networks, drug dealing also facilitated the initiation. Some participants were motivated to use methamphetamine to stay awake at night and engage in online businesses, while others used the drug to enhance their energy for manual work to improve productivity and enhance sexual drive, performance and pleasure. Although participants believed that methamphetamine use performed some functions, they reported its adverse effects on them and their friends, including irritation, hostility, extreme violent behaviour, delusion, psychiatric disorders, and inability to urinate or defecate for seven days. Additional findings showed that stigma is a prominent barrier to accessing treatment. Therefore, individuals do not use treatment facilities until their condition deteriorates. The findings suggest the need for the urgent provision of information to deter people from methamphetamine uptake and to provide interventions and pathways to treatment that will protect people who use methamphetamine from stigmatisation and other forms of discrimination.