A Medication-Assisted Treatment For Meth Addiction Shows Promise : Shots Health News : NPR

This article provides an in-depth understanding of the current treatments available for meth addiction, referencing recent studies and medical trials. As we conclude our exploration of innovative meth therapies, it’s clear that while significant challenges remain, there’s reason for hope. The landscape of meth addiction treatment is evolving rapidly, with new approaches and technologies offering fresh possibilities for recovery. As we look to the horizon, the future of meth addiction treatment is filled with promise. Advancements in neuroscience are deepening our understanding of how meth addiction meth affects the brain, paving the way for more targeted and effective treatments.

4. Health Problems Associated with Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin, and when added to other drugs such as methamphetamine, it can create a lethal combination. METH-induced depressive-anxious symptoms are usually treated with bupropion or a drive-increasing tricyclic antidepressant such as desipramine 1. Sleep disturbances and agitation during METH withdrawal are treated with sedating antidepressants or low-potency sedating antipsychotic drugs. MUD patients with psychotic symptoms are medicated with atypical antipsychotic drugs and, if needed and for a short time only, with benzodiazepines. This review provides an overview of current and emerging treatments for this disorder.

• The drug’s widespread availability and low cost have contributed to its prevalence in many regions.
• AdCare offers a comprehensive range of treatment programs and a continuum of care to meet your unique needs.
• We can help you to understand more about what it means to be addicted to methamphetamine and assist you in overcoming it.
• One of the most devastating physical effects of meth addiction is extensive tooth decay and gum disease.
• The best way to prevent further damage from meth mouth is to stop using meth.

Toward a Comprehensive Solution in Addressing the Methamphetamine Crisis

• Consequently, the percentage of participants with no heavy drinking days is accepted by the FDA as a valid outcome measure in trials of medications for alcohol use disorder4.
• Despite the differences in experimental design, of the 27 studies on CM effectiveness in MUD, only one found that CM did not effectively reduce METH use 81.
• However, support from loved ones, healthcare professionals, or intervention specialists can help individuals recognize the need for help.
• While still in the early stages of research, meth vaccines could revolutionize addiction treatment if successful.
• Decreased substance use also makes it more likely that the individual can hold a job, be a supportive family member, and so on.

Importantly, we do not know from these data whether perceptions of outcome importance are related to actual attainment of these outcomes or time in recovery. Furthermore, nearly all (94%) of the participants were recruited from the prison re-entry program. These individuals may be qualitatively different from methamphetamine users without criminal justice history.

What Is Crystal Meth?

• Addressing underlying mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety, is essential for a successful recovery.
• Conversely, Parkinson’s disease patients are more prone to addictions 33.
• They’ll also do interviews, medical exams, and screenings to assess your physical and mental health, addiction history, and motivation for recovery.
• There was strong participant consensus that recovery includes goals beyond substance use.
• “It’s progress and it’s quite significant,” says Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Addiction, which funded the two-year clinical trial involving roughly 400 patients.

In recent years, METH abuse in the United States has been rapidly increasing and is currently one of the leading causes of death in our country. Available statistical data indicates re-emergence of METH popularity and suggest an impending third epidemic of METH abuse. Alarmingly, there is no FDA-approved medication for METH use disorder (MUD). This disorder is currently treated with behavioral therapies; however, these therapies have limitations and would benefit from the addition of a MUD pharmacotherapy. Unfortunately, clinical trials have not yet found consistently effective pharmacotherapy for MUD. Exploring treatment options for meth addiction involves a comprehensive and holistic approach.

Behavioral Therapy

METH use has increased particularly among people with an existing opioid use disorder (OUD) 16. People with OUD reported that they sought a synergistic high by combining the drugs or that they wanted to balance the effects of opioids with METH effects. Among treatment-seeking people with OUD, reports of past-month METH use nearly doubled from 18.8%–34.2% between 2011 and 2017 16.

1.3. The Matrix Model Therapy

For example, CM participants are provided monetary vouchers in exchange for consecutive urine samples documenting abstinence from METH. A person with METH-positive or missing urine sample is moved down the escalating schedule 78. The studies that assessed CM efficacy in reducing METH abuse or dependence showed positive outcomes when comparing MUD patients to control group participants or CM to other behavioral therapies 74, 76. The benefits of CM intervention included reduced drug use, better treatment retention, reduction in psychiatric symptoms, higher utilization of other treatments and medical services, and reductions in risky sexual behavior. Importantly, CM worked not only in research treatment settings but also in community programs for MUD 79, 80.