At this time, research shows that the most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction are cognitive behavioral interventions such as cognitive behavioral relapse prevention therapy developed by Terence T. Gorski.
These approaches are designed to help modify the patient’s thinking, expectancies, and behaviors, and to increase skills in coping with various life stressors. There are currently no particular pharmacological treatments for dependence on amphetamine or amphetamine-like drugs such as methamphetamine. Methamphetamine recovery support groups also appear to be effective adjuncts to behavioral interventions that can lead to long-term drug-free recovery.
Additionally, there are particular issues for the meth user that should be addressed in treatment, including memory and concentration problems, as well as time-management issues related to a chaotic lifestyle that often accompanies stimulant use. Effective meth treatment should take these considerations into account.
Although recovering from meth addiction is challenging, it is not impossible. Research shows that recovering meth addicts require a longer and more intense outpatient program than is the case for many other drugs. These outpatient services should be very structured and include frequent contact between the treatment provider and the recovering addict.
Sources:
- Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction
- Methamphetamine: A Practitioner’s Guide to Treatment (2007)
- Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) Highlights – 2006 National Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services
- Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders: Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 33
- MethNet
