[babydawn]

At least that is what the the makers of a new drug called Prometa are saying. Read the article for yourself and tell me what you think. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15310599/

As someone who has seen the effects of a meth addiction, I would absolutely love a drug to come out that would help combat this epidemic. However, the drug is expensive, which makes some people wonder if it really is a remedy or if it is a rip off.

[floridamama]

I read the article, and although it's inspiring, as I, too, would love it if they had a drug to help someone kick their coke habit...I also think they need to do some testing before they release it to the public. Just to be safe.
I used to know someone who had a terrible cocaine addiction...and he is no longer alive. So, coming up with something like this is great. But, like I said...maybe some more testing, and make it more affordable.

[twinzplus3]

Hmmmm. . .IMO the drug shouldn't be prescribed without therapy. Otherwise, you are just putting a band-aid on a pattern of behavior.

[babydawn]

Originally Posted by twinzplus3

Hmmmm. . .IMO the drug shouldn't be prescribed without therapy. Otherwise, you are just putting a band-aid on a pattern of behavior.

I certainly agree. However, therapy in and of itself is often not enough. It never has been for my brother. There has been countless times in the last several years which my parents had him enrolled in a long term drug rehab or he was court ordered to finish out a drug rehab - long term. Then other times in which he has been in jail or prison over drug related crimes. These dry spells he would do so good. He would vow to stay away from the drugs, it was always so great. However, within 2-6 weeks of being out, he was always back on the meth. He has been unable to stay away when he wasn't in a lock down facility. If there was a drug that would help take that craving away... it would truely be a miracle.

[twinzplus3]

I agree babydawn. I don't have experience with meth/coke addiciton but addictive behaviors are nearly impossible to break. I personally think rehab facilities are really very limited with what they can do. But meth is becoming an increasingly bigger problem and so we'll have to figure something out that really treats every aspect of the addition: withdrawal, psychology, addictive behavior patterns. . the whole kit n caboodle!

[babydawn]

Hear, hear!

[jadis]

Stuff like this is a real concern to me- I have seen firsthand the effects of addiction, and actually volunteer with men who are currently incarcerated, many of whom have addiction problems. Any drug that gets rapidly pushed to the public with little to no testing, and with no knowledge of any longterm effects, is absolutely frightening to me. Especially when it is being pushed to a vulnerable and often marginalized population.

Another major issue I have with this is that I think it is counterproductive to treat addiction with addiction- while on this course of treatment I'm assuming that this will be something a person will physically 'crave'. How are they supposed to stop taking this drug at the end of their treatment? What measures are in place to stop the person from starting their drug of choice again, especially if they are living in the same environment?

I think drugs such as this are being touted as a 'quick fix' to end addiction, which in reality can only be overcome by the person's will to remain sober and the hard work they put into it. Sobriety isn't supposed to be easy- if it was then it wouldn't be such an issue in society. I think treatments such as this try to promise a quick fix- but they can't deliver. They don't remove people from the environment where drugs and alcohol are readily available. It doesn't work on the emotional effects of addiction as well, and how people end up with emotional attachments to substances that are just as strong as the physical addiction. Finally- from my experience someone who works their way through the physical and emotional effects of withdrawal, are more committed to their sobriety because they can look back at how horrible those experiences were and how they don't want to go back there. If it ends up being too easy, I don't think there is as much incentive to stay sober.

[tracka]

Unlike other addiction forming substances Methamphetamine can remain in the system of the user for 9-12 months after they stop using. So the hope of a chemical solution to help them break their addiciton is certainly good news. However, i have to agree that just treating the physical symptoms is not going to allow the person to become healthy. Drug addiction like most illnesses has to be treated with a holistic approach. However any glimmer of hope, how ever small must be a relief for those who live with an addiction or for those who live with some one who is addicted.

[sweetdreams]

I really have No experience with meth so i dont know much about it but with cocaine I can speak from experience. I can only say though that you need counseling, or NA something like that I dont believe that cocaine has a physical withdrawal. I believe its all mental. NOt like with heroin, that withdrawal is physical, you get physically sick, so i take methadone for that. You need to follow the steps of NA people, places & things to be successful. That is what I did. First of all you have to want to stop using! That is the Number one step. ( in my mind) If you arent ready to stop then you won't. No matter what anyone says or gives you nothing will work. I have been an addict for 22 years and I finally "wanted to stop" or some people may hit they say their " rock bottom" Thats when you know deep down you are done! I had a heroin & cocaine habit, the cocaine habit was at least 21 years long and the heroin habit was 7 years long. I have been clean now tomorrow it will be 1 year! Off of the heroin & cocaine.
I suppose with this "new"drug they would have to give me some more info about it before I would even think about using it. I hope the people that do use it are successful, like I am with the methadone. But like I said it takes more than just something else replacing the drug of your choice. YOu need some type of therapy, counseling, meetings, etc...

[chrissyf320]

Originally Posted by sweetdreams

I really have No experience with meth so i dont know much about it but with cocaine I can speak from experience. I can only say though that you need counseling, or NA something like that I dont believe that cocaine has a physical withdrawal. I believe its all mental. NOt like with heroin, that withdrawal is physical, you get physically sick, so i take methadone for that. You need to follow the steps of NA people, places & things to be successful. That is what I did. First of all you have to want to stop using! That is the Number one step. ( in my mind) If you arent ready to stop then you won't. No matter what anyone says or gives you nothing will work. I have been an addict for 22 years and I finally "wanted to stop" or some people may hit they say their " rock bottom" Thats when you know deep down you are done! I had a heroin & cocaine habit, the cocaine habit was at least 21 years long and the heroin habit was 7 years long. I have been clean now tomorrow it will be 1 year! Off of the heroin & cocaine.
I suppose with this "new"drug they would have to give me some more info about it before I would even think about using it. I hope the people that do use it are successful, like I am with the methadone. But like I said it takes more than just something else replacing the drug of your choice. YOu need some type of therapy, counseling, meetings, etc...

I can speak from experience from being a meth addict. I have never spoken of this here, but I decided to today after reading this post. I used meth for almost 2 years when I was 18-20. It is, IMO the most addictive drug out there and it can ruin your life!!! I only tried it once and was addicted almost instantly. As soon as my high wore off I needed more. I started to get jittery and my body ached and I was sooo tired, but couldn't sleep, so all I could do to relieve the symptoms was to do more. So I do believe meth addicts have physical withdrawl symptoms. So it is NOT all mental as the previous post stated!!! Yes you do have to want to quit, and I quit cold turkey because I wanted to change my life and settle down. I finally woke up and saw what I was doing to myself. I really don't remember those 2 years. It all seems like such a fog. IMO there isn't such a thing as a "miracle drug" that will help you with your addiction, because then you just have an addiction to that drug, and the cycle continues. So therefore it isn't really a remedy, just a bandage. Quitting has been the best thing I could have ever done. My fiance and I straightened our lives out and had a baby. She is soooo worth staying sober for, and I find it so much easier to stay sober knowing that she needs me to be there for her.
Some of you may be shocked by this post, and I hope you don't frown upon me for it, but it is a part of my PAST. But I know the effects of meth and it is NOT pretty. I am proud to be sober!
If anyone is struggling with a meth addiction PLEASE PM me if you want to talk!