Date of Award

2024

Degree Name

Healthcare Administration

College

College of Business

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Alberto Coustasse

Abstract

Introduction: The surge in methamphetamine use in the U.S. has presented various challenges for individuals and healthcare systems. Research has shown high relapse rates, oral health issues, and increased susceptibility to blood-borne viruses among users, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, the absence of approved pharmacological treatments and systemic barriers to effective treatment highlighted the pressing need for holistic approaches to address this epidemic successfully.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to identify the challenges faced by treatment providers specializing in substance use disorder treatment amid rising instances of methamphetamine abuse, including managing heightened relapse rates, mitigating oral health complications, handling methamphetamine-induced psychosis, reducing susceptibility to blood-borne viruses, addressing the absence of efficacious pharmaceutical interventions, accommodating increased admissions into treatment facilities, and considering broader ramifications on healthcare systems.

Methodology: This study utilized a thorough literature review supplemented by semi-structured interviews with substance use disorder treatment providers. Relevant articles were identified through databases and websites using specific search terms. PubMed and Google Scholar were used to identify 373 total sources. These sources were reviewed and reduced to 44 sources that were used in the written research. Of these, 22 were used in the Results section.

Results: The research showed varying efficacy of pharmacological interventions, the daunting task of managing oral health complications, alarmingly high relapse rates, and the heightened susceptibility to blood-borne viruses among methamphetamine users. Treatment providers noted systemic challenges such as patient engagement hurdles and limited treatment options. The study demonstrated a notable increase in methamphetamine use admissions and underscored the necessity for comprehensive care strategies.

Discussion/Conclusion: While the study's hypothesis remained inconclusive due to the intricate nature of methamphetamine addiction and its treatment outcomes, it was suggested evidence emerged concerning oral health complications, methamphetamine-induced psychosis, and susceptibility to blood-borne viruses among users. The identified systemic challenges emphasized the critical need for tailored interventions, standardized screening tools, and grant programs to effectively address the profound impact of the methamphetamine epidemic on healthcare systems.

Subject(s)

Health services administration.

Health facilities -- Business management.

Holistic medicine.

Methamphetamine.

Oral health care.

Substance abuse.

Pharmacology.

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