Medication-Assisted Treatment: Naltrexone to treat Methamphetamine Addiction?

Key Takeaways: 

• Severe Meth Addiction Challenges: Methamphetamine use disorder is extremely difficult to treat and has no FDA-approved medications specifically for this addiction, unlike opioid use disorder. 

• Naltrexone’s Potential Role: Naltrexone—already approved for alcohol and opioid addiction—is being explored as a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) option for methamphetamine addiction because it can reduce cravings and block some drug effects. 

• Research Findings: A UCLA study found that people taking naltrexone had fewer cravings, lower physiological reactions to meth cues, and reported less pleasure from meth use, suggesting it may help reduce relapse risk. 

• Comprehensive Treatment Needed: Effective meth addiction treatment still requires a full continuum of care—including detox, behavioral therapy, counseling, and long-term relapse planning—with medication support when appropriate.

Question: 

Can naltrexone be used for methamphetamine detox? 

Answer: 

The blog “Medication-Assisted Treatment: Naltrexone to Treat Methamphetamine Addiction?” discusses the persistent challenges in treating methamphetamine use disorder and highlights emerging research on naltrexone as a potential tool within medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Methamphetamine addiction is a severe stimulant use disorder with deep physical and psychological impacts, yet unlike opioid addiction, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for meth addiction, leaving clinicians and patients with limited pharmacological options. Naltrexone, a medication already approved for opioid and alcohol use disorders, works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and diminishing the rewarding effects of substance use. Early research, including a groundbreaking study conducted by UCLA, showed that participants who took naltrexone experienced fewer cravings, lower physiological responses to meth-related cues, and reported less pleasure from meth use, suggesting it might help reduce relapse risk and support recovery efforts. The blog emphasizes that while naltrexone shows promise, it should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes detoxification, behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy, counseling, and long-term support to address the complex nature of stimulant addiction and improve outcomes.

Methamphetamine addiction remains one of the most dangerous and difficult substance use disorders to treat. While the opioid crisis has dominated headlines in recent years, methamphetamine—often referred to as meth or crystal meth—continues to fuel a growing wave of addiction, overdose, and societal damage across the United States. The sharp rise in meth-related overdoses has highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive addiction treatment programs specifically tailored to stimulant use disorders.

What Is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive central nervous system stimulant. Commonly known as meth, crystal meth, or ice, it is a man-made illicit drug that creates intense euphoria, energy, and increased activity. However, these short-lived effects come at the cost of long-term physical and psychological damage. Effective treatment for drug abuse is necessary for many to overcome severe methamphetamine use disorder.

Common Street Names for Meth Include:

• Crystal

• Ice

• Speed

• Crank

• Tweak

• Chalk

The Devastating Impact of Meth Addiction

Meth addiction doesn’t only destroy individual lives—it devastates entire communities. The long-term effects of meth use can include:

• Severe dental decay (“meth mouth”)

• Paranoia and hallucinations

• Violent behavior

• Insomnia and memory loss

• Cognitive decline and psychosis

According to data from the United States Sentencing Commission, methamphetamine accounted for more federal drug offenses than any other substance in 27 states, particularly across the West, Midwest, and South. Nearly half of all U.S. inmates are incarcerated for drug-related crimes, and meth is responsible for a significant portion of those offenses.

America’s Response to the Meth Crisis

While some efforts have been made to reduce meth production—such as regulating pseudoephedrine, a common cold medication used to make meth—the majority of legislative changes have focused on harm reduction rather than long-term addiction recovery.

Unlike opioid addiction, which has several FDA-approved medications for medication-assisted treatment (MAT), there has historically been no approved pharmaceutical solution for treating methamphetamine use disorder. This lack of options has been frustrating for both clinicians and individuals seeking help.

Emerging Treatment Options: The Promise of Naltrexone

One potentially promising development in severe methamphetamine addiction treatment is the use of naltrexone, a medication that is already FDA-approved for treating opioid use disorder and alcohol addiction. Naltrexone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, effectively reducing cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of substances.

When used to treat alcohol use disorder, naltrexone makes drinking less pleasurable, helping individuals reduce or stop their alcohol intake. This same mechanism may prove useful in reducing the appeal of meth.

Can Naltrexone Help Meth Addicts?

A groundbreaking study conducted by UCLA and published in Neuropsychopharmacology was the first in the United States to explore naltrexone for methamphetamine addiction. The results were promising:

• Participants who took naltrexone experienced significantly fewer cravings.

• Their physiological responses—such as heart rate and arousal—were lower when exposed to meth-related cues.

• They reported less pleasure from meth use and were less likely to desire more.

These findings suggest that naltrexone could potentially serve as a valuable tool in medication-assisted treatment for stimulant detox and addiction, helping individuals reduce meth cravings and avoid relapse.