Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, central nervous system stimulant that alters the level of dopamine in the body and increases reward-seeking behavior. Chronic and long-term use of methamphetamine can alter brain functioning, leading to memory loss, poor decision-making, altered moods, and impulsivity, and can potentially damage the central nervous system. Methamphetamine use disorder is a complex brain disease that affects an individual’s well-being and can also affect their entire family. Treatment for methamphetamine use disorders is possible with active engagement, incentive-based approaches, and timely access to appropriate and structured treatment, including family-centered treatment.

• Highlighted Resource

  • Methamphetamine Tip Sheets

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2021

    Supporting Children Affected by Parental Methamphetamine Use (PDF 1.4 MB) This tip sheet explores the effects that parental methamphetamine use can have on a child’s health and well-being. It includes strategies for child welfare staff and other professionals who work with families affected by parental methamphetamine use.

    
    

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2021

    Strategies To Support Parents With Methamphetamine Use Disorder And Their Families (PDF 3.2 MB)This tip sheet provides facts about methamphetamine use and the effectiveness of treatment and offers strategies for child welfare workers and other professionals to improve outcomes for parents who use methamphetamine and their children and families.

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  Policy and Practice Resources

  • Supporting Children Affected by Parental Methamphetamine Use
    (PDF 1.4 MB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2021

    In many areas of the country, methamphetamine is the predominant substance that is misused, often in conjunction with alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. Parents who use methamphetamine can impact their child’s development and increase the risk of child neglect or abuse. This tip sheet explores the effects that parental methamphetamine use can have on a child’s health and well-being. It includes strategies for child welfare staff and other professionals who work with families affected by parental methamphetamine use. This tip sheet is a companion to Strategies to Support Parents with Methamphetamine Use Disorder and their Families.

    View Document Supporting Children Affected by Parental Methamphetamine Use
  • Strategies To Support Parents With Methamphetamine Use Disorder And Their Families
    (PDF 3.2 MB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2021

    Child welfare staff across the country identify methamphetamine use as a continuing or re-emerging challenge in their communities. This tip sheet provides facts about methamphetamine use and the effectiveness of treatment and offers strategies for child welfare workers and other professionals to improve outcomes for parents who use methamphetamine and their children and families. This tip sheet is a companion to Supporting Children Affected by Methamphetamine Use.

    View Document Strategies To Support Parents With Methamphetamine Use Disorder And Their Families
  • Children Affected by Methamphetamine Program: Implementation Progress and Performance Measurement Report
    (PDF 1.7 MB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2016

    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded the Children Affected by Methamphetamine grant program to improve the well-being, permanency, and safety outcomes of children who are in or at-risk of out-of-home placement as a result of parental methamphetamine or other substance use. The funding was provided over a 4-year period to 12 Family Treatment Drug Courts. This report includes lessons based on an integration of qualitative and quantitative findings, a summary of project design and implementation, and individual grantee performance organized by program priorities.

    View Document Children Affected by Methamphetamine Program: Implementation Progress and Performance Measurement Report
  • Methamphetamine and Child Welfare

    Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2019

    The resources on this webpage provide information on the prevalence of methamphetamine use and its impact on children and families involved with child welfare as well as strategies for treatment and response.

    Visit Website Methamphetamine and Child Welfare
  • Research Report Series: Methamphetamine
    (PDF 2 MB)

    National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2013

    An overview of methamphetamine use, effects, risks, and treatment effectiveness is provided in this publication.

    View Document Research Report Series: Methamphetamine
  • Methamphetamine Abuse in Women of Reproductive Age
    (PDF 112 KB)

    American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2011

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists originally published this committee opinion in 2011 and reaffirmed it in 2019. The opinion offers information on methamphetamine use among women of reproductive age, provides an overview of the effects of methamphetamine on an infant, and offers guidance on the identification treatment of pregnant women who use methamphetamine.

    View Document Methamphetamine Abuse in Women of Reproductive Age
  • Matrix Manuals

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

    These comprehensive resources provide substance use disorder treatment professionals with tools to implement the Matrix Model. Professionals can use this model when treating clients who are dependent on stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

    Visit Website Matrix Manuals
  • Using Matrix with Women Clients: A Supplement to the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People with Stimulant Use Disorders
    (PDF 6.6 MB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012

    Enhancing the counselor’s treatment manual in the Matrix series, this guide addresses the specific needs of women who misuse stimulants. It contains materials to help counselors conduct intensive outpatient treatment sessions on relationships, trauma, body image, and family roles.

    View Document Using Matrix with Women Clients: A Supplement to the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People with Stimulant Use Disorders
  • Brief: Grants to Expand Services to Children Affected by Methamphetamine in Families Participating in Family Treatment Drug Court
    (PDF 937 KB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2014

    Summarizing the experiences, lessons, and outcomes of the collaborative efforts of the Children Affected by Methamphetamine (CAM) grant program, this brief also provides an overview of the grant program, the grantees, and key implementation lessons. The brief also highlights the CAM program’s interim safety, permanency, recovery, and well-being outcomes of the 1,850 families served during the first 3 years of the grant.

    View Document Brief: Grants to Expand Services to Children Affected by Methamphetamine in Families Participating in Family Treatment Drug Court
  • The 2016 Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI)

    Indian Health Service (IHS), 2017

    This federally funded grantee program is an initiative supported by the IHS. The program implements and enhances evidence-based practice models that focus on prevention protocols and treatment methods for American Indian youth, ages 12 to 18.

    View Document The 2016 Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI)
  • Methamphetamine Addiction, Treatment, and Outcomes: Implications for Child Welfare Workers
    (PDF 398 KB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2006

    In this document, child welfare professionals are provided with an overview of methamphetamine use disorders within the family system.

    View Document Methamphetamine Addiction, Treatment, and Outcomes: Implications for Child Welfare Workers

• Related Online Trainings, Videos, and Webinars

  • Amphetamine and Methamphetamine: Consequences and Treatment Strategies
    

    UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, 2014

    Dr. Richard Rawson presents this 42-minute video as part of the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs Research Training Series. Dr. Rawson discusses amphetamine-type stimulants, their medical consequences, and how they affect the brain. He reviews evidence-based treatment models, including behavioral and pharmacological strategies that are currently under study.

    Watch Video Amphetamine and Methamphetamine: Consequences and Treatment Strategies
  • Practical Issues in the Implementation of the Matrix Model
    

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2014

    The Matrix Model is an intensive, outpatient treatment approach for stimulant abuse and dependency that consists of relapse-prevention groups, education groups, social-support groups, individual counseling, and urine and breath testing, delivered over a 16-week period. This webinar discusses implementation considerations and challenges, issues related to adaptation of the model, implementation drivers and challenges, fidelity monitoring, and measurement of impact and outcomes.

    Watch Video Practical Issues in the Implementation of the Matrix Model
  • Meth: Brain & Behavior
    

    The Montana Meth Project, 2011

    Presented by UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, this video explores the effects of methamphetamine on the brain and the biological basis of addiction.

    Watch Video Meth: Brain & Behavior

• Additional Resources

  • Meth360® Information Kit
    (PDF 300 KB)

    The Partnership at Drugfree.org

    This kit provides six fact sheets about methamphetamine that discuss basic facts, effects of methamphetamine on users and communities, intervention and treatment, and family and community prevention strategies.

    View Document Meth360® Information Kit
  • National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (National DEC)

    National DEC provides training and technical assistance to professionals to better recognize the risks faced by drug-endangered children and develop effective responses.

    Visit Website National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (National DEC)
  • Methamphetamine: The National Summit to Promote Public Health, Partnerships, and Safety for Critically Affected Populations
    (PDF 1.9 MB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011

    This proceedings document highlights the summit, held in November 2008 to target populations critically affected by methamphetamine use.

    View Document Methamphetamine: The National Summit to Promote Public Health, Partnerships, and Safety for Critically Affected Populations