Treatment and Prevention

Treatment

Because traditional treatment models are not effective for meth addiction, meth-specific treatment programs have been developed.

Successful meth treatment requires the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The cognitive-behavioral therapy approach, which focuses on how the way we think affects our feelings and actions, helps patients identify and plan for the triggers associated with the substance abuse. This approach prepares the addict for life-long recovery.

A critical consideration in meth treatment is something known as the “wall.” Around 45 to 120 days into treatment, recovering addicts experience physiological changes that often lead to a return to meth use. This period of increased depression and need for the drug is the single significant factor today to the false perception that meth addiction is “untreatable.”

Although recovering from meth addiction is challenging, it is not impossible. For meth treatment to be successful, it simply must meet the demands of meth addiction. Research shows that recovering meth addicts require a longer and more intense outpatient program than is the case for many other drugs. These outpatient services should be very structured and include frequent contact between the treatment provider and the recovering addict.

Prevention

Preventing drug use before it starts is the most effective way to eliminate the problem. By encouraging young people to develop their intellectual, personal, and social skills, drug prevention programs produce benefits beyond the immediate goal of preventing drug use.

Prevention programs define positive norms for young people in the school and the community, rather than simply offering a short-term alternative to risky behavior. Children exposed to quality prevention programs are more equipped to make positive choices in all areas of their lives and to become productive members of society.

In short, it is better to prevent than to heal. Prevention yields lasting positive results. Prevention shows young people how to make and embrace healthy choices by giving them something to say "yes" to.

Effective prevention programs operate on as many levels as possible. For example:
• "School-based" prevention focuses on children's social and academic skills and aims to enhance peer relationships, self-control, coping skills, and assertiveness.
• "Family-based" prevention focuses on strengthening family relationships, increasing parenting skills and communication, and developing active parental roles.
• "Community-based" prevention works with civic, religious, law enforcement, and government agencies to enhance the anti-drug message and positive social behaviors. This often includes the development of policies or regulations, media campaigns, and community awareness programs.