What Are the Treatments for Methamphetamines?

Methamphetamines have become a scourge on our society and on individuals who fall into using this destructive and devastating drug. Methamphetamine is often made in home drug laboratories that leaves toxic hazardous waste. Methamphetamine is commonly called ice, speed, chalk and meth, just to name a few street names. Meth only stays in the system for approximately six to eight hours. As a result, those who try the drug can quickly become addicted to it and turn to seeking the drug within a matter of hours of using it.

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment

• According to Focus Adolescent Services, one of the most successful approaches to methamphetamine treatment is the use of cognitive behavioral therapies. This type of therapy and drug treatment uses a combination of approaches to challenge the logic of continued use for addicts. Drug counselors work with clients to help them understand the nature of addiction and specifically why they have become addicted to methamphetamine. Counselors help clients become aware of their triggers to using and what emotions they are feeling at the time they have the impulse to use their drug of choice. Through continued challenges to the risk-to-benefit ratio, drug programs that utilize cognitive behavioral therapies hope to help addicts improve their behaviors and conquer their addictions.

Psychosocial Model

• Another approach to methamphetamine addiction treatment is the use of the psychosocial model. This model, according to UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, is a model in which the person's social and psychological networks are challenged and examined. The psychosocial model examines the benefits that a person receives from associating with people who continue using and the benefits of changing these behaviors. Additionally, the model examines the psychological benefits of using versus the benefits of stopping use or replacing it with a healthier coping mechanism for uncomfortable emotions and feelings.

Matrix Model

• The UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program also discusses the use of the Matrix approach to drug abuse, including methamphetamine. This approach emphasizes the use of a multifocal approach that includes family involvement, psycho-educational methods (education about the specific drug, the addiction process, recovery) 12-step methods and routine random urine drug tests. The Matrix approach also utilizes both group and individual therapy as a method of helping clients examine their thoughts and feelings associated with drug use and their triggers to using.

Drug Court

• Another model that has proven to be extremely helpful in methamphetamine treatment is Drug Court. This is a program that was developed as an alternative to jail time for drug offenders. The UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program indicates that most drug court programs utilize an approach that is similar to the Matrix model with the exception that they also include a motivational component, which is the avoidance of drug time. For individuals who have children, there can also be additional motivation in terms of regaining access to their children through family court.

Medications

• UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs indicates that currently there are no medications that are effective in treating methamphetamine addiction. However, the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) has recently funded a new information sharing network that will enable drug trial and research information to be more easily shared regarding this quest. The goal is to find medications that will help with the effects of overdose and relapse.