Meth Treatment Strategies

Addiction to crystal meth, a powerful stimulant that affects the brain and the spinal cord, is difficult to treat because it takes longer than most drugs to kick the addiction. During the recovery time, the addict may relapse and in many cases they do not want to get off meth. It is important to have a strong network and coping strategies in place to help someone stop taking meth.

Withdrawal

• It is important to be aware of the withdrawal symptoms in someone who has stopped taking meth. The person will feel an intense craving for the drug, become irritable and experience paranoia. Sleep disturbances will be an issue as the person will go from periods of insomnia to periods of drowsiness. While the physical symptoms will eventually stop, the person will continue to have psychological dependence on the drug; the best way to treat these cravings is through psychological and behavioral therapy.

Centers

• People who are addicted to meth may find it helpful to check themselves into a meth addiction center. There, they will be cared for by trained professionals and will not have access to the drug. Two drawbacks to meth centers are cost and availability. For uninsured people, they can be expensive and in some major urban centers there may not be enough space. Another option is enrolling in a 12-step program, but this will be more difficult because the addict will not be under constant supervision.

Medication

• Some people will opt to take medication to help kick addiction to crystal meth. Just like methadone is used for heroin addiction, the medication used for meth is not a permanent solution. The most prescribed options for replacing meth are phenteremine and dextroamphetamine. However, not all physicians feel medication is the proper treatment for meth addiction as it just shifts the addict from one drug to another.