According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are a variety of treatments that doctors and therapists use to treat methamphetamine addiction. Most of these treatment consist of behavioral and cognitive therapies.
Withdrawal
The first step in choosing which type of methamphetamine withdrawal treatment is best for you. Each type has its positives and negatives.
- Drug assisted withdrawal – during withdrawal doctors use a variety of medications to treat the symptoms of withdrawal. The main symptoms are anxiety, irritability, and fatigue with the inability to sleep. These drugs are usually benzodiazepines. These benzodiazepines are highly addictive and are a very short term solution. The use of these drugs is controversial due to the fact that withdrawal from benzodiazepines is sometimes deadly.
- Nondrug assisted or cold turkey withdrawal – during withdrawal the person is not given medications to assist with the withdrawal symptoms. Once physical withdrawal is over there are few remaining symptoms. These remaining symptoms are usually mild and easily dealt with. Some people choose this type of withdrawal in order to avoid another addiction or replacing one drug for another.
- Herbal medication assisted withdrawal – during withdrawal, herbalists use a variety of herbs to assist with the withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are sometimes treatable with herbs such as chamomile, valerian, and kava. Although not nearly as effective as benzodiazepines, these herbs can help to lessen the symptoms of withdrawal but do not block them completely.
You can choose from any of these methods depending on the treatment center that you attend. Many treatment centers offer multiple ways to withdrawal from methamphetamines.
Dealing with Triggers
Motivational therapy can help you cope with your triggers while in recovery.
Most of the time triggers are dealt with through a variety of behavioral modification therapies or cognitive therapy. Which of these therapies you choose depends on which best suits your personality and learning style. Most people will try multiple therapies before they find the techniques that work for them. Some of these therapies are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Contingency management
- Individual counseling
- Trauma – informed therapy
- Group behavioral therapy
- Dilectized behavioral therapy
- Motivational therapy
Each of these therapies has its own benefits and drawbacks. All of them require work. Many people who find success in these therapies do so by combining elements of each of them. By combining these therapies and finding what works a person can learn to lead with or avoid their triggers without relapsing back into the meth use.
Learning to deal with your triggers is a key to being able to deal with the addiction and keep from relapsing. The relapse rate for methamphetamine is extremely high. When people relapse they tend to be at a greater risk for overdose and death.
If you are addicted to amphetamines, there is help, call us at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?). We can help you with choosing a treatment and a treatment center that is right for you. Meth addiction is highly treatable and there is help for those who want it.
