Martha Bebinger ReporterMartha Bebinger covers health care and other general assignments for WBUR. Drug company Alkermes, with offices in Waltham provided Vivitrol for this study. The company declined comment on the results and the possibility of a new market for its injectable version of naltrexone. Trivedi has consulted for the company in the past but says they had no influence over or input into this research.
- With these guidelines, you can learn to support your loved one’s efforts, set the necessary boundaries to preserve your own health and welfare, and find some stability for both yourself and your loved one.
- Take care to speak with understanding, compassion, and an open mind so that the person feels loved, respected, and supported during this difficult time.
- That work, along with other research, finds that individuals frequently use methamphetamine to help them stay awake at night to protect themselves and their property from assault and theft.
- No medications have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to treat methamphetamine use disorder.
Around 1.6 million people use methamphetamines every year, and many of these people have a methamphetamine addiction. This medication therapy provides another tool for doctors to try with patients. In the research trial, patients in clinics around the U.S. suffering from methamphetamine use disorder were treated for 12 weeks with a combination of medications — naltrexone and bupropion — or placebo.
Substance Use Treatment
These feelings, called withdrawal, can last from several days to a few weeks. Addiction (clinically called a substance use disorder) refers to the compulsive, uncontrollable use of meth meth addiction despite all of the harm that it causes. Addiction encompasses not only physical changes (such as dependence) but harmful behaviors that affect every aspect of an individual’s life.
We’ve helped thousands recover from addiction and we can help you too. Dealing with someone under the influence of meth can be scary and dangerous. Always call an emergency responder if you fear for their life or yours. Otherwise, here are some steps to help keep the person calm and give time for the high to wear off. If possible, offer a ride to their first appointment with a doctor or therapist. Even if you can’t take them every time, your support can help them successfully navigate the first steps toward recovery, which can empower them to continue.
What Meth Recovery Is Like
If you have been concerned about a loved one’s well-being, any of the following signs of meth addiction should raise a red flag. Meth is so addictive and self-destructive that quitting methamphetamine cold turkey is extremely dangerous. For long-term meth addicts, professional help is certainly the only safe and promising way of quitting meth. These individuals also suffer from serious physical and psychological damage resulting from drug use. Even for novice meth users, though, quitting meth cold turkey is not advised.
A deteriorating physical appearance can also be a major sign of meth use. Use of this drug may result in meth mouth or severe dental problems. Many people ignore personal care and fail to bathe or wear clean clothes. Take the first step toward addiction https://ecosoberhouse.com/ treatment by contacting us today. For meth users who inject the drug, it’s important to safely dispose of needles and syringes. Discard them in disposal boxes located in hospitals, public health facilities, and other safe needle disposal locations.
Addiction is not incurable.
The problems that triggered your loved one’s drug use in the first place will still be there once they get sober. If they turned to drugs to self-medicate a mental health problem such as anxiety or depression, they’ll need to find healthier ways of coping with these issues without resorting to substance abuse. To achieve long-term recovery, it’s vital they tackle both their addiction and their mental health issue at the same time. The longer someone takes meth, and the higher the dosage, the more severely dependent on the drug they are likely to be. A high level of dependence means that withdrawal will be difficult.