From the Guidelines
Methamphetamine use disorder should be treated with contingency management, as it is the most efficacious form of treatment for stimulant use disorders, according to the most recent evidence 1.
Treatment Approach
The treatment of methamphetamine use disorder typically involves a combination of behavioral therapies, with a focus on contingency management, which has been shown to be the most effective approach 1. This approach involves providing rewards, such as financial incentives, for periods of recovery from stimulants.
Key Components of Treatment
- Contingency management: This is the most efficacious form of treatment for stimulant use disorders, including methamphetamine use disorder 1.
- Behavioral therapies: These may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), community reinforcement approach, and the Matrix Model, which combines behavioral therapy, family education, counseling, and 12-step support 1.
- Addressing co-occurring mental health conditions: Treatment should also address co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety 1.
Medications
Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for methamphetamine addiction, but some medications may help manage symptoms 1. However, the most recent evidence does not support the use of specific medications as the primary treatment for methamphetamine use disorder 1.
Duration of Treatment
Recovery from methamphetamine use disorder typically requires long-term engagement in treatment, with programs lasting at least 12 weeks showing better outcomes 1. Multiple treatment attempts are often necessary before achieving sustained recovery, due to the intense dopamine release in the brain caused by methamphetamine, which creates powerful reinforcement and makes addiction particularly difficult to overcome 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Methamphetamine Use Disorder
- Methamphetamine use disorder is a significant public health problem, and various treatment options are being explored to address this issue 2, 3, 4.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM) are two accessible interventions that have shown promise in reducing methamphetamine use and improving treatment outcomes 2, 3, 5, 6.
Effectiveness of Contingency Management
- Contingency management has been consistently shown to be an effective intervention for reducing methamphetamine use, with 20 out of 21 studies reporting abstinence outcomes showing an effect of contingency management on abstinence 3.
- CM has also been found to reduce risky sexual behavior, with 7 out of 9 studies reporting a significant reduction in risky sexual behavior 3.
Limitations of Current Treatments
- Despite the effectiveness of CBT and CM, there is still a need for improved treatments for methamphetamine use disorder, particularly in terms of sustaining long-term recovery 2, 4.
- There is currently no FDA-approved medication for methamphetamine use disorder, and clinical trials have not yet found consistently effective pharmacotherapy for this condition 4.
Future Directions
- Further research is needed to improve the effectiveness and longevity of treatment outcomes for methamphetamine use disorder, including the development of new pharmacotherapies and behavioral interventions 2, 3, 4.
- The implementation of contingency management and other evidence-based treatments in outpatient programs and community settings is crucial for addressing the growing problem of methamphetamine use disorder 3, 5, 6.