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NATIONAL METHAMPHETAMINE TRAINING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
Recovery / Treatment
Recovery / Treatment
"Meth Inside Out"
(from UCLA Intigrated Substance Abuse Program)
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RESOURCES
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Q: Is there help for someone who has committed a crime while on meth?
A: Two-word answer: drug court.
Since 1989 when the first drug court was founded in Florida, more than 2,100 have been created in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Guam. Nearly 300 more are in th planning stages. About one in four drug court clients were on meth when they began treatment.
The drug court concept sounds quite simple: If some-
one has committed a non-violent crime while addicted
to drugs he/she may have the choice of getting clean
and sober instead of incraserated.
The reality is much more complex. Those offered drug
rehabilitation in lieu of jail time must adhere to a strict
program of counseling, drug testing, supervision and
rehabilitation.
Drug court treatment is largely out-patient and puts
much of the responsibility for success in the hands of the client.
No two drug court treatment regimens are the same but by way of example here are the elements involved in the Matrix Model -- developed by Dr. Richard Rawson at UCLA -- that provides a framework within which stimulant abusers can achieve the following:
- cease drug use
- remain in treatment
- learn about issues critical to addiction and relapse-
- receive direction and support from a trained therapist
- receive education for family members affected by the addiction
- become familiar with the self-help programs
- receive monitoring by urine testing.
Treatment professionals act like counselors and coaches to help keep meth users clean through the lengthy rehabilitation process.
During meth treatment, critical issues include helping users learn to avoid the behaviors, urges or situations in which they are tempted to use the drug. For many people this involves trying to separate many of the places, people and things that were part of their drug-using life. For example, one meth user said even the CD cases in his car reminded him of a meth high.
Drug courts have proven their worth to society in many ways. Primarily, they have turned around thousands of lives and prevented thousands more crimes. In addition, the savings in dollars are remarkable. In one California study, it was estimated that while the coast of drug treatment was about $3,000, the state saved about $11,000 for each successful graduate before the cost of crimes prevented.
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