Indepth interviews were combined with survey questionnaires to explore the patterns, contexts, and consequences of methamphetamine use among an ethnically and culturally diverse sample of 150 moderate to heavy users in each site. A grounded- theory method was used to identify and examine patterns of experiences, beliefs, and environments. One of the most important findings that emerged from this study concerned the unexpectedly high proportion of women with substantial experience as methamphetamine dealers and/or distributors. More than two-thirds of the 141 female respondent users were involved in diverse lifestyles and participated in the illicit methamphetamine market on a wide variety of levels; however, the majority considered this activity as a positive experience that provided them with economic independence, self-esteem, increased ability to function, professional pride, and ethics. Dealing was viewed as supportive in their important need to maintain control in social and intimate relationships, in daily living responsibilities, and in their drug use. The major problems reported by women dealers across all sites included arrests and incarceration, violence, lack of trust in and betrayal by customers, and social and emotional dependency on the drug to feel normal and function without fear on a social level. 2 tables and 38 references