Lay summary
Methamphetamine use poses a significant challenge in New Zealand, with particularly high prevalence rates observed in Māori communities, notably in Tairāwhiti. The drug's consumption leads to severe pathological impacts on both the heart and brain, resulting in cardiovascular diseases, and neurotoxicity, and increases the risks of stroke, dementia and cardiac death. A pressing need exists to delve deeper into the specifics of how cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects are linked to methamphetamine use. Moreover, there's an urgency to explore innovative treatment strategies that not only counteract these harmful effects, but also support sustained abstinence. The current treatment landscape for methamphetamine addiction is notably sparse. In line with the Treaty of Waitangi's call for collaborative efforts to benefit the community, this research proposal seeks to understand the abstinence process by integrating insights from both Māori and Western paradigms.