The challenges and importance of treating meth addiction

Treatment providers are seeing an increase in the number of people who need help for methamphetamine addiction an affliction that is challenging to treat and devastating for families.

And myths persist about treatment for meth addiction: Many still believe that it causes permanent brain damage and that there is no effective treatment for addicts.

Neither is true, according to Dr. Brenda Roche, a neuropsychologist.

She is the director of clinical and evaluation services at the Center for Families and Children, which works with 30 to 40 families a week who are dealing with meth addiction.

Roche and other treatment providers, like law enforcement officials, are reporting an increase in meth use over the last 12 to 18 months.

We are seeing a bit of an uptick (in meth use), which is distressing, said Lenette Kosovich, chief executive of Rimrock, a comprehensive treatment center in Billings for people with addictions and mental health issues.

If the right level and length of treatment is provided, Roche said, outcomes for meth addiction are the same as for addiction to alcohol, cocaine and other controlled substances.

But the recovery process is longer for meth addiction than it is for other substances.

When asked how difficult it is to overcome meth addiction, Roche laughed dryly. How I would explain it is you have to change everything about your whole life, she said.

Impact on families

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The challenges and importance of treating meth addiction