Medical detoxification is generally the first step in treating drug addiction. Excessive and abusive use of meth increases your tolerance, which may lead to physical dependency, and if you decide to stop using, some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms may ensue. Your healthcare professional will most likely propose a medically assisted detoxification followed by talk therapy.

 

MAT, widely regarded as the gold standard of addiction therapy, entails administering meds to patients to assist them in overcoming drug use problems. It is often used in conjunction with counseling. Sadly, MAT has not traditionally been a choice for meth addicts. Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs for meth addiction.

 

However, new studies show that things will change soon. It is just a matter of time before science offers SUD treatment clinicians another weapon at their disposal to aid those battling with addictions to methamphetamine, a notoriously hard-to-kick stimulant.

 

According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, conducted in the United Kingdom, we will soon have a MAT for meth addiction. This study looked at the effectiveness of two medications, naltrexone and bupropion when given simultaneously to people addicted to meth over two years.

 

A set of participants who received the dual medication treatment were evaluated twice over six weeks. The researchers compared results to those who received placebos. After both periods, the participants were tested. Statistically significant differences appeared.

 

Among those who took bupropion and naltrexone after the first six weeks, 16.5 percent had at least three negative urine tests for meth, indicating they were clean. Meanwhile, just 3.4 percent of individuals given placebos showed similar results as those given the real thing.

 

After the second follow-up interval, 11.4 percent of the MAT group had negative test responses, but only 1.8 percent of the control group had negative urine results. The therapy group also reported fewer cravings for meth and a higher quality of life among the patients. Participants in the study were more than 400. With the success of this pharmaceutical combination, researchers are making strides in bettering the treatment of this addiction.

 

Meth detox may be completed as an inpatient (residential) or outpatient program. However, at least one medical expert must be present to supervise a meth detox.