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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Manage Addiction To Methamphetamine?

My boyfriend has been smoking methamphetamine since he was a young teenager. Now, he is a young adult. I am worried about his health, because of how long he has been smoking meth. I try so hard to help him stop, but he always tells me that he has been smoking meth even before we met. It really breaks my heart. I don t know what to do at this point. I love him and I don t see myself without him apart of my life. Please HELP .....
Tue, 5 Jun 2018
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Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

I can understand your anxiety and your care about your boy friend. We should be careful as your boy friend is smoking methamphetamine since teenage.

Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. But unfortunately many teenagers will get addicted to that. It has many side effects like mood swings, aggression, anxiety and insomnia. Extended periods of exposure to the drug can lead to chronic health effects including cancers, brain damage, liver and kidney damage.

Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in many of the same health effects as those of cocaine or amphetamines. Usually it is taken as a white, bitter-tasting powder or a pill but smoking is very effective and harmful

Coming to treatment part, the most effective and commonly preferred treatment for methamphetamine addiction is behavioral therapy.
These include
1) cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations
2) motivational therapy which include rewards to encourage patients to remain drug-free

It was advised not to use any medication to control addiction of methamphetamine. Don't get worried and try to control the things in a conservative way rather than using medicines.
Hope you will understand all the aspects and act accordingly.
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How To Manage Addiction To Methamphetamine?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. I can understand your anxiety and your care about your boy friend. We should be careful as your boy friend is smoking methamphetamine since teenage. Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. But unfortunately many teenagers will get addicted to that. It has many side effects like mood swings, aggression, anxiety and insomnia. Extended periods of exposure to the drug can lead to chronic health effects including cancers, brain damage, liver and kidney damage. Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in many of the same health effects as those of cocaine or amphetamines. Usually it is taken as a white, bitter-tasting powder or a pill but smoking is very effective and harmful Coming to treatment part, the most effective and commonly preferred treatment for methamphetamine addiction is behavioral therapy. These include 1) cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations 2) motivational therapy which include rewards to encourage patients to remain drug-free It was advised not to use any medication to control addiction of methamphetamine. Don t get worried and try to control the things in a conservative way rather than using medicines. Hope you will understand all the aspects and act accordingly.