ASPD or Antisocial Personality Disorder is a mental condition that aggravates the incidence of meth-addiction. While ASPD does not lead to methamphetamine use, it has been shown that people diagnosed with the disorder have higher rates of meth addiction, the two conditions somehow managing to feed off each other in a cycle.
Fortunately, an existing treatment process has been developed to help people who have these two conditions. Here’s what’s included in the road to recovery:
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Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for many mental health conditions. The process guides the patient through his own thoughts, allowing him to identify self-destructive patterns and the reason why these problems are present. Cognitive Therapy helps the patient understand his own motivations so that he is in a better position to control his actions.
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Medical Detoxification
The detoxification for meth-addiction is often under the assistance of medical professionals – especially since the first few hours can be brutal for the body. The patient can experience a sudden spike in temperature, sweats, and anxiety to the point where it actually feels like physical pain.
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Group Therapy
In order to better address the patient, going through Group Therapy can also be made part of the treatment process. Group Therapy has the advantage of exposing the patient to people who have the same condition – somehow aiding treatment through community or group effort. By being in the presence of people who are in the same situation, the patient would have a better time processing his problems and understand that there are people who understand the struggles s/he is going through.
Sometimes, Group Therapy can be in the context of a family therapy. This helps reinforce the strength of the group – showing the patient exactly how their past actions have affected the people closest to them. At the same time, it can also forge an understanding between both parties so that somehow, they can help each other through the recovery process.
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Living Options – Inpatient, Outpatient, and PHP
Patients with ASPD and recovering from meth addiction may also be encouraged to utilize different living options. There’s Inpatient for those who require 24/7 help, allowing them to stay inside the facility where all their needs will be met. This is often for a specific period and is best used by patients who are at the peak of their meth addiction and thus need more guidance.
Then there’s the PHP or Partial Hospitalization Program where patients can stay in their own home. However, they will be required to go back to the facility on a routine basis in order to receive treatment – much like going to school or going to the office. Unlike an Inpatient Program, individuals enrolled in PHP are in the latter stage of the recovery process.
Finally, there’s Outpatient Care for patients who are in the end-stage of the recovery process and therefore require minimal guidance from the doctor. While Outpatients still need to show up for routine treatment, they have a better control over their time and may even hold down jobs or certain responsibilities.
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Impulsive Lifestyle Counseling Program
This is a program specifically designed for people who have co-occurring substance abuse and ASPD. As the term provides, this program analyzes the impulsive behavior of patients and how these actions affect the people around them. More importantly, the program offers a guide on how to decrease the impulsive nature of patients so that they can think through each thought before making a decision.
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Psychoeducational Intervention
While Psychoeducational Intervention is not a treatment in itself, it is a process that’s designed to make other treatment techniques more effective. Essentially, it is a teaching moment where patients are encouraged to view their motivations and emotions so that they’re more receptive to therapy.
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Medications
In some cases, people with ASPD may still be required to take certain medications despite their propensity for substance abuse. However, this is often heavily controlled and administered in inpatient or PHP settings to make sure proper dosages are observed.
ASPD and meth addiction as individual issues are hard enough on their own. The co-occurrence of the two in one person however means that the treatment process may be longer and require the help of professionals. Do not be afraid to seek help should you find yourself or a loved one in this situation.