BACKGROUND: The Czech Republic has a long tradition of methamphetamine use. Less is known about the circumstances of initiation into its use at the level of individual users. The aim of the research was to analyse the biographic burden prior to initiation into the use of amphetamines. Another aim was to describe initiation into the use of amphetamines from the perspective of users in various groups. METHODS: Qualitative analysis of 25 full transcripts of biographical interviews was conducted. The thematic analysis and coding framework were based on the biopsychosocial model focusing on selected periods of users’ lifespans within five different user groups in the Ústí nad Labem region of the Czech Republic. RESULTS: The groups of remitted and dependent users are characterized by methamphetamine use, a more severe biographic burden, and by the use of amphetamines in the context of coping with previous experiences and their current difficult situation. DISCUSSION: The results support the notion that there is a difference between the user groups which were identified in a previous analysis within the ATTUNE project. CONCLUSIONS: We identified multiple differences between the user groups and their life stories. The remitted and dependent users shared similar and more severe biographic burdens in comparison to the other groups.

BACKGROUND: High-risk methamphetamine use is frequent in the Czech Republic and includes long-term injecting use. Relatively, the Ústí nad Labem region shows a higher level of methamphetamine use in comparison to other regions in the Czech Republic, which makes it possible to study the trajectories of drug use and its determinants in a unique manner mirroring the social situation of the region and its numerous social problems. METHODS: Interviews were transcribed and coded in NVIVO. The coding approach was thematic analysis and the coding framework was based on the biopsychosocial model and consumption periods. RESULTS: The dependent and remitted users described family, peers, and partners as significant in relation to the use of amphetamines. Informants from other groups did not attribute significance to the family in their accounts. DISCUSSION: The frequent and non-frequent users related their use to nightlife settings, while the situation was more complicated in the case of the dependent and remitted users. CONCLUSIONS: The frequent and non-frequent users related their use to parties and music festivals. Relationships with partners, peers, and family were described by the dependent and remitted informants as a risk factor in terms of an increase in the level of use, as well as a supportive factor in terms of a reduction of use. Employment provides occupation for users and a sense of confidence and it is thus a crucial aspect of recovery.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine use is a long-term problem in the Czech Republic. The evidence describing the individual careers of different methamphetamine users is limited. AIMS: The aim of this study is to describe the methodological approach of the qualitative arm of the ATTUNE study in the Czech Republic and the first results of the analysis. METHODS: The data collection in this arm of the study was based on different instruments: offline and online screening instruments, a guide for semi-structured interviews, and life charts. Quasi-quantitative analysis of the data from the supporting data collection instruments (life charts and screening instruments) was conducted to produce a rich description of the stratified sample. SAMPLE: Six different groups of informants were predefined: dependent, remitted, frequent users, frequent ex-users, non-frequent users, and non-users. For each of the six groups five interviews were conducted, except dependent users (six interviews) and non-frequent users (four interviews). RESULTS: The results of the quasi-quantitative analysis showed the differences between the user groups. The results suggest that the remitted and dependent users are similar in most of the aspects that are described when compared to the other groups. The groups of non-frequent users and non-users seem to be different to all the other groups. Furthermore, the results were used to discuss the strengths and limits of different instruments that take empirical data into account. CONCLUSIONS: The article introduced the ATTUNE study to the Czech context and showed that the supporting data collection instruments (life charts and screening instruments) are helpful in providing a description of the stratified sample that is useful for further analysis and that these instruments are also practical for the data collection and allocation to groups of informants.