Helping People Addicted to Methamphetamine: A Creative New Approach for Families and Communities

196 Pages·2008·0.96 MB·English

by  Nicolas T. Taylor Ph.D.

Helping People
Addicted to
Methamphetamine
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Helping People
Addicted to
Methamphetamine
A Creative New Approach
for Families and
Communities
NICOLAS T. TAYLOR AND
HERBERT C. COVEY
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Taylor,NicolasT.,1965–
Helpingpeopleaddictedtomethamphetamine:acreativenewapproachforfamilies
andcommunities/NicolasT.TaylorandHerbertC.Covey.
p.cm.
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN978–0–275–99908–7(alk.paper)
1. Methamphetamineabuse. I.Covey,HerbertC.II.Title.
RC568.A45.T392008
616.86’4—dc22 2008023811
BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationDataisavailable.
Copyright2008byNicolasT.TaylorandHerbertC.Covey
Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthisbookmaybe
reproduced,byanyprocessortechnique,withoutthe
expresswrittenconsentofthepublisher.
LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:2008023811
ISBN:978–0–275–99908–7
Firstpublishedin2008
PraegerPublishers,88PostRoadWest,Westport,CT06881
AnimprintofGreenwoodPublishingGroup,Inc.
www.praeger.com
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
Thepaperusedinthisbookcomplieswiththe
PermanentPaperStandardissuedbytheNational
InformationStandardsOrganization(Z39.48–1984).
10987654321
Thisbookisdedicatedtothe families,friends,parents,children,treatment
providers,judges,teachers,counselors,lawenforcementofficers,employers,
membersoffaith-basedorganizations,electedofficials,andcommunitiesthat
care enough about those addicted to methamphetamine to take positive
action.Wealsowanttoacknowledgeourfamiliesandespeciallyourspouses
Teresha Taylor and Marty Covey who supported us throughout this
endeavor.SpecialthankstoMartyCovey,whoprovidededitorialsuggestions
and helped greatly in writing this book. Her contribution was immense.
ThanksalsotoSenior Editor Debbie Carvalko of Praeger Publishers, who
provided excellentguidance and displayed greatpatiencewith the authors.
Shehasbeenavaluablepartnerinseeingthisbookcometofruition.
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Contents
Preface ix
1.Introduction 1
2.TwoMethStoriesandtheImportantRoleofCommunity 9
3.WhatIsMeth? 25
4.EffectiveCommunity-BasedTreatmentforMethamphetamine 75
Addiction
5.CreatingStructure 107
6.Treatment 125
7.GettingStarted 149
Appendix:ExamplesofStudiesofEvidence-BasedTreatmentsfor 161
Stimulants,Cocaine,orMethamphetamineUse
Bibliography 173
Index 181
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Preface
Methamphetaminehasimpactedfamiliesandcommunitiesinsuchawaythat
forthepast10yearstreatmentprogramsandjudicialsystemshavestruggled
with how to intervene and to provide the right kind of rehabilitative help.
Whilenotentirelydifferentfromothersubstancesofabuse,methisunique
enoughtochallengethesesystemstocomeupwiththemosteffectiveways
ofhelpingpeoplenotonlystopusingthedrugbutalsostophangingaround
otherpeoplewhocontinuetouseit.Atonepointthemostdevastatingcases
ofcommunitiesbeingimpactedbymethwerelimitedtothewesternregions
ofthenation.Thathaschanged,andwiththeexceptionofonlytheeastern
seaboard states, really, meth has penetrated every community, both urban
andrural,andhascrossedalmostallethno-anddemographicboundaries.
Treatmentformethaddictionmustinvolvethebroadsobercommunityin
which the addict lives; otherwise it becomes almost impossible for people
whoaretryingtostopusingmethtoseparatethemselvesfromgroupsofpeo-
plewhouseit.Whatthisbookprovidesisthedescriptionofacreativenew
approach to treating meth addiction that can be used to guide a true
community-based intervention.Thekeytothisinterventionisthepractice
ofcarvingoutanichewithinthesobercommunitysothatpeoplerecovering
from meth have a place to go as well as thenecessary support to break ties
withothermethusers.
Familiesandcommunityleadersareinvitedtoconsidertheprinciplesand
practicesdescribedinthepagesofthisbookastheydeveloptreatmentplans
andstrategiesforindividualpeopleaddictedtomethaswellasbroadgroups
of people accessedthrough social service and judicial referral systems. We
knowforcertainthatthereisneitheramagicpotion norasilverbulletthat