Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment

Meth rehab programs will help you take your life back from your meth addiction.

According to the NIDA, “The most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction at this point are behavioral therapies.” There are currently no medications that are approved to “counteract the specific effects of methamphetamine that prolong abstinence from and reduce the abuse of methamphetamine by an individual addicted to the drug.” Still, there are many options as a part of meth addiction treatment, and an individual who is addicted to meth should attend formal treatment in order to receive the best help possible.

Meth Addiction Treatment Centers

In a meth addiction treatment center, you will receive different treatment options as well as care for other issues that have resulted from or are tied to your meth addiction. If you are experiencing many of these additional issues or if your meth addiction is incredibly severe, you should consider attending inpatient rehab where you will receive round-the-clock care in a more controlled environment. Addicts who have fewer mental and physical issues as a result of meth abuse and addiction, or who have strong support systems at home, may be able to attend outpatient treatment for meth addiction.

As stated previously, meth addiction can cause or exacerbate a mental health disorder or other psychological problems. These can be treated along with meth addiction, especially in an inpatient facility. Also, according to the NIDA, “Methamphetamine abuse also raises the risk of contracting infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C.” The use of the drug may also “worsen the progression of HIV/AIDS and its consequences.” All of these issues, and the other physical problems which often go hand-in-hand with methamphetamine abuse and addiction, can be addressed as a part of treatment.

Behavioral Therapies for Meth Addiction

In addition to medically-assisted detox, behavioral therapies are the main treatment for meth addiction. There are many behavioral treatments which can be used for meth addiction. Some of the most common are:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  CBT helps patients see their addictions in a new way and understand why they felt the way they did about abusing meth. It can help them recognize triggers and cravings and to neutralize them before they become worse.
• Matrix Model
  According to the NIDA, the Matrix Model is “a 16-week comprehensive behavioral treatment approach that combines behavioral therapy, family education, individual counseling, 12-step support, drug testing, and encouragement for non-drug-related activities” (NIDA 2).
• Contingency management
  Contingency management gives patients incentives in the form of vouchers that gives them a reward for abstaining from methamphetamine.

In some cases, these therapies can be substituted for one another over time. Whichever is best for the patient at that time with their changing needs is the treatment which should be used. Many patients attend methamphetamine addiction treatment for several months or longer in order to achieve a stronger recovery.

Methamphetamine addiction can result from meth abuse very quickly and cause many harmful and even deadly consequences for the individual. Treatment is needed for someone who displays the signs and symptoms of methamphetamine addiction.