Pharmacological treatment for meth addiction

I have been searching for some time now for treatments for methamphedemine addiction. In the process I read report after report on the various treatments for opiat addiction but have been unccessful in finding much at all about treatment for meth addiction.
There's alot of information on the short and long term effects of meth addiction and many links to treatment centers but information on treating meth addiction seems almost non existant.
Is there any research being done or programs that focus on pharmocological treatment for methamphedemine addiction ?

My husband and I have been a methamphedemine addicts for the better part of 16 years. (better seems inappropriate) We haven't experienced much of the horror that comes with meth addiction in that we haven't lost our home or suffered the loss of a job, it hasn't made us liars or thiefs, we haven't become violent or paranoid or had any "phsycotic" episodes and we've remained monogomis and still remain very close. This is not to say we haven't suffered in other ways because of our addictions nor am I making light of our problem.  

We want very badly to get clean but stopping cold turkey results in at least a week of sleeping and that isn't an option and even after the hybernation slows the energy level is so low it's hard to move.  The total lack of motivation would have serious negative effects on our lifes.  So I ask again is ther such a thing as pharmacological treatment for meth addiction ?

[Francoise]

I don't specifically know. I think that Ibogaine would be the route for you to take, but I'm not sure. Get on your search engine and look for "Ibogaine Dossier" and read til your question is answered. Ibogaine treatment is available just south of San Diego for about $2500. I believe it would work for you.

After 16 years I wonder if there are permanent changes in the wiring of your brains? Who knows? But your desire to get off is one everyone here will support.

Francois

[Deason]

I don't know is this will help but.... I have noticed that in several of your posts you are spelling methamphetamine wrong.  I just want to make sure you are spelling it correctly while using search engines.  I tried a search for you and a lot of information came up.  From what I read currently there is no phamacological treatment for your addiction but there is hope.  I provided one link for you....
http://www.msnbc.com/news/507186.asp?0sp=n1b9&cp1=1

I hope this helps a little.

[mibunny]

We don't see a lot of methamphetamine addiction in Michigan, yet addiction is addiction.  I highly recommend seeking available treatment facilities in your area.  If you do not have health insurance, your county agencies should be able to provide you with assistance.  There probably are no pharmacological treatments. A well monitored residential, supported treatment site where you can progress through the withdrawal stages (Yes. Cold Turkey.) and remain admitted for another week or two to strengthen your body while giving you a chance to stay out of your using community. This also needs to involve intensive therapy.  This is probably not the answer you're looking for, but it's most likely the truth.  Do you want to quit using meth . . . ?

I have been clean and sober for 12 years, my drug of choice was IV heroin, but I heavily experimented with all drugs, including 'crystal meth' as we used to call it (in olden times LOL)  Keep looking for what you need to stop this addiction from killing you.
With sincere good intentions, Suzie

[1fortheroad]

but, i can never post a question of my own?  what is up with that, and is there a way to contact administration about it?

also, does anyone ever use the chat room here?  i go there every so often, and i'm all alone:(

[IrishRose]

aec- From what I was able to find out from that experience I posted to you about is that there doesn't seem to be a specific pharmacological treatment for meth. If you go to a treatment center, I'm not sure what it is you want to do, inpatient or outpatient? In an inpatient setting they treat you "symptomatically". Which is to say they see what symptoms you are maninfesting when you come in. If you have any little unwanted friends( i.e. psychosis) they zap them with Haldol which is an antipsychotic drug usually used in treating schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Sleep cycles being dysfunctional in meth addcition is pretty common and at first they may give you some sort of sleep aid initially to help you try to re-establish a better sleep cycle.They then try to aquaint you with a 12 step program.  If you need to go an outpatient route I am not sure what would be recommended. You may try to find an addiction medicine specialist in your area. If either you or your husband is a veteran, the VA offers inpatient and outpatient treatment. Have you tried just looking through your phone book and making some calls to some counseling or treatment centers to see what they have to offer? You could just try checking out Narcotics Anonymous too. Although they are a 12 step program and do not deal with the physical detox you may meet some folks they who have had the same experience as you and be able to point you in the direction of some more help. In my little corner of the midwest meth is a very big deal right now. It seems daily the news has a story about finding a meth lab somewhere. I go to NA and AA and have met a lot of meth addicts there recently. Whatever route you decide, I wish you well. Keep us posted.

[aec]

Thank you everyone for all your kind words and helpful thoughts !
Somehow you all seem like old friends.  I will be out of town for the next several days and expect to be besieged (so to speak) by clients and the like.  I will have my laptop with me but what free time I do have during these trips I usually spend chating with my family, so please don't think I've disappeared. I will be back asap. Thank you Irishrose for your advice regarding an addiction medicine specialist as I was able to locate one in my area and plan on calling this afternoon.  I have much hope.

[meelee]

24 years ago i was an iv drug user of amphetamines.  4 of my friends died of this.  I do know amphetamine addiction is not like narcotic addiction. It is proven no one has died from cold  turkey on amphetamines.  To all with crystal meth as they used to call it.  Just stop it is so easy. I speak from experience all the I can't or I don't feel well is just an excuse ... the poor oxy addict does not have a choice but to detox as he can die.  But all amphetamine users can stop it's not fun but it isn't life threatening.  All the little creatures and monsters hallucinating coming off was all a life altering experience. I listen to the younger ones now cooking it up in bath tubs and know it is not like the drugs of the 70's they were cleaner and safer as far as everyone wanted you to get high not make the old mighty dollar and kill someone by putting poison in it please be brave enough to just put it down I think I was addicted to the syringe not the drug after all...good luck

[Witchywoman]

Hi meelee,
Congratulations to you for beating your addiction like you did!

I just wanted to add one thing to your post.  You can't die from oxycontin cold turkey withdrawal. You may wish you were dead, but it won't kill you. Narcotic cold turkey withdrawal is hell, I've been through it, but it is benzo withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal that can kill you if you do it cold turkey, not opiate.

Just stopping is easier said than done, but I agree that once you are really really ready to stop, you can do it. But you have to want it very much and be willing to endure a lot to get to the other side.

love,
WW

[meelee]

Thanky you for the correction , a girl I go to nursing school with is a recoverying addict of cocain and she explained to me the alcohol and benz withdrawl (withdrawal) and how she sees people die at a recovery center she works at as a psyc tech.  I always say the opiate addicts so sick I thought they would hemorrhage or something.  You know I sound so tough buy you have to be because it would be so tempting or easy to let my guard down.  
After kicking the IV amphetamine habit I went on to many other drugs but trying injecting Tawin and demerol made me deathly nauseated and vomiting .. I did not enjoy it thank god as my friends got addicted very badly and still are to opiates, I went down the low road to crack and you know that is an addiction that is embaressing to talk to people about I was more comfortable talking about a needle in my arm than a crack pipe. It was like I was scum to even a junkie...wonder whats up with that...many times users of other substances looked down there nose at me and I tell you to this day I can still smell it I dream of it at times and it made my life hell talk about money going down the toilet.. As far as meth you can only do so much but crack I think I did all day and night..
thanks for letting me vent...

[circuitboy]

I was never a serious addict, but back when a did a lot of tina (the name we use in the gay circuit crowd for meth) the way I stopped using it was to taper usage. I know it sounds nuts, but I managed to force myself only to use on the weekends for awhile by using small amount of another upper (especially connie - coke). eventually, i got to where i only use once every two months or so. not bad.
i was addicted to the high, i think altering the specific type of high in terms of withdrawl (withdrawal) might help prevent you from crashing so hard.
you might also try using different methods of administration - going down from slamming to smoking when possible. and even snorting a bump once in a great while when in a particularly bad low can help when you're really trying to wane yourself off of it.

at some point, though, there is going to have to be a time where you completely quit, but i think completely quitting once you are used to the high isn't quite possible without stopping your life and doing rehab.

[circuitboy]

just thought of something else - the little tricks i've learned to help the down not be so bad. first thing - take a multivitamin. second - shark cartilege pills are something many tweakers i know swear by. i know it sounds bizarre, but it does seem to help a bit.
just don't do any downers, you're just making the withdraw worse...

[researchmama]

I am in the exact same boat as you guys.  I have been using meth for about 14 years.  I too have lived a perfectly respectful life and the vast majority of people who know me have no clue.  You can't just up and take off some where for 30 to 90 days without having to tell EVERYONE you know, and even if you can most places suck.  The 12 step program is retarded, and they rarely deal with the real reason why you use.  

That being the case, I have done major research on the subject.  I have come up with a multi-faceted approach, all based off of the most recent clinical studies and common sense.  It is a process of slowly tapering off over a period of a month, while at the same time take daily a good multi vitamin, an iron supplement and calcium for your body, as well, as omega3 fish oil for your brain.  

Also, start doing some kind of activity or join a club that gets you out of the house and around other people of similar interests.  But it has to be something that you really enjoy doing or you will lose interest.  

Finally, since most addictions are really just a symptom of a deeper problem, find both a psychologist and a psychiatrist that you feel comfortable with  and let it all hang out.  Get to understand yourself and your own motivations better.  It is easier to fix a problem when you fully understand it.

If you are interested, I can send you all of the documentation that I garnered that concept from.  I am on the doorstep of this journey right now, so I'll let you know if it works or is just a bunch of hog sh*t like everything else.

[4mychild]

Hi,

I am in a very similiar situation.  I've been using for about twelve years and have managed to lead a fairly ordinary life.  I have wanted to quit for a long time but I guess I was hoping they would come up with some pill that would magically make it easier.  Since I doubt that will happen anytime soon would you mind sending me the information you have found?  I would greatly appreciate it.  Good luck to you.  I wish you the very best.

[Luckytwice]

There is a chat room here? LOL!  I haven't been here long enough to look around much I guess!  So far this is the only forum  I go to.  

[vicki595]

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