Meth Addiction Treatment: What Are My Options?

Treatment programs for meth drug abuse incorporate many different approaches to care. The best course of action is often to visit an inpatient treatment center first, then transition to outpatient care. Quality and effective treatment can help prevent further meth use.

Get Help Now!

Meth addiction treatment may include many steps and aspects that aim to address drug abuse, target physical and mental health issues, and uncover underlying causes for drug addiction.

People who have been abusing crystal meth often face many challenges, including physical and mental health problems, family and money issues, and more.

Sometimes, meth addiction creates a cycle wherein the problems caused by addiction end up being triggers to use meth.

Most people addicted to meth will benefit most from attending an inpatient rehab center to get clean and start their recovery.

Effective Treatment Options For Methamphetamine Addiction

There are many different ways to address meth addiction. Every person has different needs and will take their own treatment path to best seek recovery.

Below are some of the main ways that meth addiction can be addressed.

Crisis Interventions

During a crisis intervention, a trained professional can help address immediate issues that may result from a meth addiction.

Suicidal thoughts, psychosis symptoms, meth withdrawal seizures, and other serious symptoms are a few examples.

A crisis intervention helps stabilize a person in the short term so they can seek treatment.

Medically Monitored Detoxification

Detox is not technically part of treatment for drug abuse, but it is a necessary stepping stone to treatment.

Meth detox involves medical monitoring by healthcare providers as a person who has been using meth goes through withdrawal symptoms.

Medically monitored detox is important because of the strong cravings and other side effects that occur during withdrawal from meth.

Without a proper detox environment, complications can occur during withdrawal and relapse becomes highly likely.

Inpatient Meth Treatment

After detox, most treatment plans for meth addiction include a period of inpatient care.

Inpatient rehab programs give people addicted to substances a chance to separate themselves from the toxic environments that fuel their drug abuse and focus entirely on their recovery.

Most inpatient treatment programs for meth have a lot of structure and some basic requirements, including regular drug testing to ensure that clients are staying clean while they undergo treatment.

Outpatient Treatment For Meth Abuse

Outpatient treatment is appropriate when a person has stabilized enough to return to their daily life, but still requires support and care.

Outpatient treatment programs allow people to return to work and family responsibilities, but they visit a treatment center several times per week to receive care.

Many of the treatment approaches used in inpatient care are continued in outpatient treatment, including support groups and therapy.

Family Therapy

Family therapy can be a very effective tool when treating substance abuse issues, including meth addiction.

People with addiction tend to do better when they have support from loved ones and family members.

Family therapy includes members of a person’s family to create a strong support network around the person struggling with addiction.

Family issues that trigger drug use can also be addressed in family therapy.

12-Step Programs

Twelve-Step programs have become a staple of addiction treatment for drugs and alcohol. Alcoholics Anonymous is the most well-known 12-step program.

Others, like Narcotics Anonymous, use the same model but are better-suited for those facing drug abuse.

There is even a meth-specific 12-step program available in some areas called Crystal Meth Anonymous.

The 12-step program follows a structured model that helps people struggling with addiction to take control of their own recovery and find their genuine desire to stay clean.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy is a staple in the treatment of addiction issues such as meth abuse. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common techniques used to address addiction.

CBT aims to improve behavioral health, i.e. the choices a person makes, by growing awareness of the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions.

CBT operates on the belief that there is a series of thoughts that tend to occur before someone takes the action of using drugs.

By uncovering these subconscious patterns, CBT helps people to make better choices.

Mental Health Services

Mental health services are a large part of treating methamphetamine use disorder. Meth use often causes psychosis, so mental health care is a priority during treatment.

Mental health services for meth addiction may include individual and group therapy, and medications to treat co-occurring disorders such as antidepressants.

Fostering a sense of well-being without the use of drugs is a core part of any addiction treatment plan.

Long-Term Care In Meth Recovery

Meth recovery can take a long time. The residual effects of meth abuse can last for years, including depression, anxiety, and physical problems.

Aftercare planning is an essential part of a successful recovery.

This refers to resources, treatments, and interventions that are used to support an individual in their sobriety and overall success after they leave inpatient care.

Staying drug-free often requires many different support networks working together to help a person succeed. Aftercare plans aim to set up these support networks.

Elements of a strong aftercare plan may include a sober living environment, outpatient treatment services, skills training, and occupational therapy.

Is There Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) For Meth?

There are currently no medications approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of meth addiction.

For certain drugs of abuse, including alcohol and opioids, there are approved medications such as naltrexone that are used to help curb cravings for these drugs.

Researchers are working on finding medications that could be used for a similar purpose for meth addiction. Clinical trials have taken place to test such drugs.

Certain medications may still be used as part of a meth addiction treatment plan to treat issues related to meth abuse. Examples include antidepressants and medication for high blood pressure.

Find Substance Abuse Treatment At Bedrock Recovery Center

Are you or a loved one facing a meth addiction? Bedrock Recovery Center can help.Bedrock Recovery Center is a drug and alcohol detox and treatment facility located in Canton, MA.

We offer treatment programs in a state-of-the-art facility where our clients can relax and focus on recovering from substance use issues.

Call our helpline today to speak with one of our addiction specialists and learn more about your options for care.

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) –– Methamphetamine https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/methamphetamine-meth
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) –– What treatments are effective for people who misuse methamphetamine? https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-treatments-are-effective-people-who-misuse-methamphetamine
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) –– Know the Risks of Meth https://www.samhsa.gov/meth
  4. United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) –– Methamphetamine https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/methamphetamine

Written by Bedrock Recovery Center Editorial Team

Published on: June 21, 2020

© 2024 Bedrock Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

Prefer Texting?
We've got you covered.

Receive 24/7 text support right away.
There is no obligation and you can opt out at any time.
chat-header

Sign up for text support

Receive 24/7 text support right away.
There is no obligation and you can opt out at any time.
chat-header
Ready to make a change? Talk to a specialist now.
(617) 657-2877
icon-angle icon-bars icon-times