Addressing Methamphetamine Use in Primary Care: Provider Perspectives

IntroductionThe opioid epidemic has evolved into a combined stimulant epidemic, with escalating stimulant and fentanyl-related overdose deaths. Primary care providers are on the frontlines grappling with patients' methamphetamine use. Although effective models exist for treating opioid use disorder in primary care, little is known about current clinical practices for methamphetamine use.MethodsSix semistructured group interviews were conducted with 38 primary care providers. Interviews focused on provider perceptions of patients with methamphetamine use problems and their care. Data were analyzed using inductive and thematic analysis and summarized along the following dimensions: (1) problem identification, (2) clinical management, (3) barriers and facilitators to care, and (4) perceived needs to improve services.ResultsPrimary care providers varied in their approach to identifying and treating patient methamphetamine use. Unlike opioid use disorders, providers reported lacking standardized screening measures and evidence-based treatments, particularly medications, to address methamphetamine use. They seek more standardized screening tools, Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, reliable connections to addiction medicine specialists, and more training. Interest in novel behavioral health interventions suitable for primary care settings was also noteworthy.ConclusionsThe findings from this qualitative analysis revealed that primary care providers are using a wide range of tools to screen and treat methamphetamine use, but with little perceived effectiveness. Primary care faces multiple challenges in effectively addressing methamphetamine use among patients singularly or comorbid with opioid use disorders, including the lack of Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, limited patient retention, referral opportunities, funding, and training for methamphetamine use. Focusing on patients' medical issues using a harm reduction, motivational interviewing approach, and linkage with addiction medicine specialists may be the most reasonable options to support primary care in compassionately and effectively managing patients who use methamphetamines.

Automated summary

This study conducted semi-structured group interviews with 38 primary care providers and found that there is a lack of standardized screening measures and evidence-based treatments for addressing methamphetamine use. Primary care providers expressed the need for more standardized screening tools, FDA-approved medications, reliable connections to addiction medicine specialists, and additional training. The challenges faced by primary care in effectively addressing methamphetamine use include the lack of FDA-approved medications, limited patient retention, referral opportunities, funding, and training. Harmonation of patients’ medical issues with a harm reduction, motivational interviewing approach, and integration with addiction medicine specialists may be the most feasible options to compassionately and effectively manage patients who use methamphetamines.