Women’s experiences of using drugs in weight management. An interpretative phenomenological analysis

This study examines the experiences of women using drugs in weight management. Whilst some of the commonly used substances have been deemed to be safe, most, if not all, still have potentially dangerous side effects for the individual. Five women spoke of their experiences of using drugs in weight management through semi-structured interviews. These were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three themes arose from the analysis: the challenges of weight management, the appealing aspects of drug use and emotion and control. Findings revealed that participants believed they need to be thin in order to be happy and they found weight management difficult due to a variety of internal and external aspects. Drug use was seen as an easier and guaranteed way to manage weight. Participants felt that the use of substances for the purpose of weight management was erroneous with shame attached to it, and yet, drugs helped them to feel in control of their lives, their weight and also acted as a maladaptive emotion regulation strategy. Clinical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

► We examine experiences of women who have used drugs in weight management.
► We explore factors that contribute to using drugs in weight management.
► Weight management is seen as a challenging process.
► Drugs as convenient, yet shameful, strategies that guarantee weight loss.
► Drug use aids feelings of control and emotion regulation.