University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 12-31-2010 Down, but Not Out: An Ethnographic Study of Women who Struggled with and Overcame Methamphetamine Addiction Jodi Nettleton University of South Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the American Studies Commons, and the Anthropology Commons Scholar Commons Citation Nettleton, Jodi, "Down, but Not Out: An Ethnographic Study of Women who Struggled with and Overcame Methamphetamine Addiction" (2010). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/3430 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Down, But Not Out: An Ethnographic Study of Women Who Struggled With and Overcame Methamphetamine Addiction by Jodi C. Nettleton A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Anthropology College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Nancy Romero-Daza, Ph.D. Heide Castañeda, Ph.D. Carolyn Ellis, Ph.D. David Himmelgreen, Ph.D. Marilyn Myerson, Ph.D. Date of Approval: October 25, 2010 Keywords: female addiction, recovery, 12-step program, drug abuse © Copyright 2010, Jodi C. Nettleton Dedication While writing this difficult dissertation, I was able to maintain sobriety and sanity through the encouragement and support of the fine people of Alcoholics Anonymous. In those church halls and kitchens—drinking gallons of coffee and sitting around listening to the stories from others who were inflicted by the same disease, I found encouragement, hope, and strength, plus a few great friends. I want to dedicate this dissertation to the alcoholics and drug addicts already in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and those yet to come. I also wish to dedicate this dissertation to my daughters Samantha and Alexandra and my granddaughters Kali and Tabitha. I pray that my girls never endure any of the negative experiences that go along with the lifestyle associated with the disease of addiction and that the cycle of dysfunction and addiction stop with me. Acknowledgments I do not live in a bubble (although at times I feel as if I do), and I know without a doubt that my completion of this manuscript is solely based on the support and encouragement of the wonderful—and not so wonderful—people I have encountered throughout my life. First, I want to acknowledge my Uncle Jerry—without whose insanity, addiction, and chosen profession, my life experiences and this dissertation would not have existed. May he rest in peace—the kind he strived for throughout all his drug use and abuse. I acknowledge and thank wholeheartedly my dissertation chair and friend, Dr. Nancy Romero-Daza, who has made the biggest impact on my academic and professional life. I thank my dissertation committee as well: Dr. Marilyn Myerson, Dr. Carolyn Ellis, Dr. Angrosino (I regret he couldn‘t stay on until the completion of the project), Dr. David Himmelgreen, and Dr. Heide Castaneda, all of whom believed in my work and generously and protectively guided me throughout this process. I want to give a special thanks to all the other important people who encouraged me and kept me moving forward: Dr. Harriet Blymiller, Debra Miller Bodden, Edward Ford, Linda Orlando, Kaye Quarles, Chris Simko, Amber Tarvin-Bayer, Dr. Linda Whiteford, and Dr. Kevin Yelvington. Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................ iv List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................... v Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................... vi Prologue ................................................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction to Methamphetamine ........................................................................... 1 Global and National History of Methamphetamine .............................................................................. 5 A Descriptive Definition of Methamphetamine ..................................................................................... 8 Physical Effects of Methamphetamine ..................................................................................................... 10 Psychological Effects of Methamphetamine .......................................................................................... 13 Motivations of Women Methamphetamine Users .............................................................................. 14 Studies Pertaining to Methamphetamine Addiction .......................................................................... 16 Gender-Specific Studies of Methamphetamine Users ....................................................................... 19 Chapter 2: Feminist Anthropological Research Perspectives ............................................ 25 First Wave Anthropological Researchers ............................................................................................... 28 Second Wave Feminist Theories ................................................................................................................ 34 Third Wave Feminist Anthropological Theory .................................................................................... 40 Chapter 3: Theoretical Perspectives on Drug Use .................................................................. 46 Theories of Drug Use/Drug Addiction ..................................................................................................... 46 Biological Theories .......................................................................................................................................... 46 Psychological Theories................................................................................................................................... 48 Social Constructionist Theories and Critical Medical Anthropology .......................................... 50 Current Use of Social Constructionism .................................................................................................... 54 Theoretical Foundation for This Study ................................................................................................... 60 Using Social Constructionist Theory ........................................................................................................ 63 Chapter 4: Methodology for Methamphetamine Use Research ......................................... 67 Archival Data Collection ................................................................................................................................ 67 Life Histories ...................................................................................................................................................... 70 Reflexive Methods ............................................................................................................................................ 77 Qualitative Interactive Interviewing ........................................................................................................ 83 Life Time Lines .................................................................................................................................................. 90 Participant Observation ................................................................................................................................. 92 i Ethical Concerns ............................................................................................................................................... 94 Chapter 5: Results: Statistical Data and Life Histories ........................................................ 103 Statistical Data on Methamphetamine Use ......................................................................................... 104 Demographics ............................................................................................................................................ 105 Drug Use ....................................................................................................................................................... 105 Arrest Rates ................................................................................................................................................ 109 Mental Health ............................................................................................................................................. 111 Conclusions of the Preliminary Statistical Analysis ........................................................................ 113 Effect of Preliminary Statistical Analysis on Qualitative Portion of Study ............................ 116 Participant Observation .............................................................................................................................. 117 An Average 12-Step Meeting ..............................................................................................................