Non-pharmacological interventions for methamphetamine use disorder: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Global rise in methamphetamine (METH) use necessitates evidence-based treatment strategies.
• Increasing numbers of individuals seeking treatment for METH use disorder worldwide.
• Urgent need for effective non-pharmaceutical interventions for METH use disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing evidence on non-pharmaceutical treatments for METH use disorder.
• To identify effective behavioral interventions for individuals with METH use disorder.
• To appraise the efficacy of various therapeutic approaches in managing METH use.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies published between January 1995 and February 2020.
• Searched five major electronic bibliographic databases: Ovid (Medline), Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO.
• Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs, with data assessed by two independent reviewers.

Main Results:

• Forty-four studies were included in the review.
• Behavioral interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management (CM), exercise, residential rehabilitation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and the matrix model demonstrated efficacy.
• Contingency management (CM) showed the strongest evidence; tailored CBT, alone or with CM, was also effective in reducing methamphetamine use and cravings.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral interventions are recommended as first-line treatment for METH use disorder.
• Future research should investigate the long-term effects of these interventions.
• Addressing limitations such as small sample sizes and high dropout rates is crucial for robust evidence assessment.