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08/31/2022
3 min read
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New Hope for Meth Addiction With New MAT Combination

A study that came out earlier this year sought to find a solution for withdrawal symptoms and cravings. People addicted to methamphetamine can experience symptoms just as severe as people who are addicted to opioids. However, science has been struggling to find a medication that can help alleviate some of these symptoms. Researchers say that a two-drug cocktail can be effective for many people with substance use disorders who are addicted meth. While the combination of pills is not currently approved to be used together, the study was able to try them to further our understanding of meth addiction and treatment.

Meth Addiction and Withdrawal

Crystal meth is a potent stimulant drug, and it’s considered to be more addictive than cocaine. Because meth can alter the brain's neurotransmitters, there are a lot of withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using the drug. Because meth is highly addictive, most people will experience withdrawal symptoms to varying degrees.

Different people experience different symptoms when get clean from meth, including sleep problems such as nightmares or insomnia, exhaustion, and trouble concentrating. Meth users who quit may also experience various mental health symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, “feeling flat” or numb, and unmotivated.  Some people get disoriented, have a psychotic episode, become paranoid, or have trouble with their mobility. Finally, there are rare but severe symptoms like seizures or rapid heart rate.

Why MAT Options Help With Meth Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms are the main reason people go to a detox facility while they are first getting sober. Clinical professionals can help make their clients as comfortable as possible and monitor for any serious issues.

One of the most common symptoms of meth withdrawal is intense cravings. These cravings happen before, during, and sometimes after a period of detoxing. Medication-Assisted Treatment options would be quite a breakthrough for people who have trouble fighting the compulsion to get high.

The MAT for Meth Addiction Research Trial

Medication-Assisted Treatment was studied in a research trial. The study followed patients in clinics around the U.S. suffering from methamphetamine use disorder. For 12 weeks, the study participants gave a 2-pill cocktail of naltrexone and bupropion or a placebo daily. Naltrexone and bupropion are two medications commonly used as MAT for opioid use disorder. They are usually used alone. The study attempted to use them together for people addicted to meth. For 12 weeks, participants got the MAT or a placebo.

In the end, the pills helped 13.4% get clean from meth, compared with 2.5% of people taking sugar pills. While this is not a large number, it is a beacon of hope for people in the addiction industry. Meth is a notoriously addictive drug, and people need many tools to get off of them and learn to live a life free from addiction. Future studies will probably continue to use these tools as they look for a way to help more people quit meth.

Getting Help for Addiction

Fighting addiction can be a painful and costly battle. You deserve the help of an experienced team of professionals. You deserve to get free of your addiction and begin to reclaim your life. We can help you get sober and plan your next steps in a therapeutic, peaceful, compassionate environment that offers. Learn more about our programs, amenities, and other features. We’re here to help! Call us at U.S. (949) 279-1376 or MX (612) 153-5726.

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Melissa
Hi! I’m Melissa Stailey, a freelance writer that loves to cook. I live and work in Washington, DC.
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