In recent years, there has been alarming growth in methamphetamine (meth) and cocaine use and their involvement in overdose fatalities. In 2004, they were the most common illicit drugs used by state and federal prison inmates and convicted jail inmates. However, usage steadily declined among arrestees for more than a decade and was overtaken by opioids. The “meth problem” never really disappeared, and it began to accelerate around 2013, a trend that is expected to continue. There have also been steep increases in cocaine overdose deaths, mainly driven by its use in combination with opioids (75% of the time), whereas half of meth deaths involve opioids, but fatalities attributed to methamphetamine alone are also on the rise. Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications for treatment, nor antidotes that can prevent stimulant overdose fatality.
RSAT programs, especially in eastern states, may be faced with growing meth use among clients with opioid use disorder (OUD), including those receiving MAT, as well as growing numbers of chronic meth users. However, successfully treating individuals in RSAT programs who use meth and other stimulants is not only possible, it also can be achieved without separate dedicated programs or drastic departures from evidence-based behavioral interventions already in place.
This webinar will introduce the new RSAT manual designed to help staff integrate specific approaches that have been successful with clients involved with meth and other stimulants – building upon the experience of many correctional systems west of the Mississippi.