There are many therapies, growth programs and counselors today that operate around one-to-one interaction. But Celebrate Recovery is built on the New Testament principle that we don't get well by ourselves. We need each other. Fellowship and accountability are two important components of spiritual growth. (n1)Community-based recovery groups are thus in a position of opportunity to provide safe places for addicts (including methamphetamine addicts) to reconnect and re-form healthy relationships and rituals.
Special Considerations
However, there are at least two other social aspects of methamphetamine addiction that recovery groups should keep in mind. First, there are possible gender differences involved in recovery from methamphetamine abuse. In a study from Taiwan,
“more female subjects reported experience of mental disturbance and experience of psychiatric treatment. The female subjects more commonly reported suicidal behaviors than the male subjects.” (n2)Second, there has been very little done by way of helping children of methamphetamine abusers. Their exposure not only to dangerous chemicals, but also to a dangerous and destructive life, puts them at high risk for their own withdrawn and destructive behaviors. Any community program would be wise to give special attention to this very vulnerable class of victims of methamphetamine addiction. (n3)
All of this implies several recommendations for community recovery programs. First, methamphetamine addicts could be part of a general man/woman chemical dependence small group; however, a specific group for methamphetamine addicts, when possible, would be desirable. Second, several other groups would likely be useful for addressing the methamphetamine epidemic. Since there is a prevalence of sexual abuse/deviance, physical abuse/violence, and criminal activity associated with this drug family, small groups addressing those areas immediately be useful in addressing the harm done to the addict's family and previous social network. Third, particular emphasis should be given to children whose parents have been involved in the abuse of methamphetamine.
Areas of Caution
While wholeheartedly endorsing the application of community-based recovery programs to the methamphetamine crisis, that endorsement should be balanced by a realistic understanding of dangers this addiction of addictive 'culture' bring with it. Methamphetamines are capable of inducing
"an acute toxic psychosis in previously healthy persons and precipitate a psychotic episode in those with psychiatric illness." (n4)Normal interactions and relationships can be changed quickly during the use of any drugs, and methamphetamines are no exception, both in addicts displaying violence toward others or suffering acute medical emergencies. Anyone involved with recovery programs that include methamphetamine addicts must be cautious of the volatile nature of the addiction and act accordingly. At the very least, all volunteers involved in the recovery process should be provided with both this knowledge and procedures for contacting immediate help. This is especially true if volunteers are contacted regarding emergency situations. (n5) These procedures should be clear, consistently reinforced, and at the very least include emergency police and hospital intervention, as well as agencies capable of intervention for the safety of children threatened by methamphetamine abuse.
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1 Rick Warren in the Foreword of John
Baker, Celebrate Recovery: Leader's Guide (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1998), 13.
2 Shih-Ku Lin, et al., “Psychiatric comorbidity and gender differences of persons incarcerated for methamphetamine abuse in Taiwan.” Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 2004; 58:206. See also: Megan E. Roth & Marilyn E. Carroll, “Sex differences in the acquisition of IV methamphetamine self-administration and subsequent maintenance under a progressive ratio schedule in rats,” Psychopharmacology. 2004; 172:443–449.
3 Sandra J. Altshuler, "Drug-Endangered Children Need a Collaborative Community Response," Child Welfare (2005, 84:2) 171-190; Melinda Hohman et al., "Methamphetamine Abuse and Manufacture: The Child Welfare Response," Social Work (July 2004, 49:3) 373-381.
4 Robert Derlert, et al. op cit.
5 "Patients with acute methamphetamine
intoxication may be highly agitated and present a serious safety risk
to prehospital personnel. Seek additional help from police or other
EMS providers before patient transport, if possible." ibid.
