Methamphetamine treatment options in Australia

A person living with methamphetamine dependence may experience challenges with their physical and mental health, education, work, and relationships, which can all have a big impact on their wellbeing.¹

Ice, or crystal methamphetamine, is one of the strongest types of methamphetamine, meaning it can cause more serious harms.¹

Ice is a stimulant drug and gets its name from its appearance, which looks like little white crystals or shards of glass.¹

Who’s most likely to use ice in Australia?

The number of people currently using ice in Australia is relatively low (1%). But, the number of people who have tried it at some point in their lives is higher (7.5%),  suggesting most who experiment with ice don’t go on to use it regularly.²

People in their 20s and 40s are most likely to use ice, and many report experiencing mental health challenges as well. Nearly half of those who have recently used ice were diagnosed or treated for a mental health condition.²

Ice use also differs depending on where you live in Australia. Men living in rural areas are more likely to use ice than men in cities. And, young people aged 18 to 29 from rural areas are more likely to have used ice compared to their city counterparts.³

Why is it difficult to treat ice dependence?

Ice use affects the brain in ways that make treatment challenging.

When someone takes ice, a surge of chemicals including dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline are released in the brain. These chemicals are normally released in much smaller amounts during pleasurable activities such as eating or exercise.⁴

This intense release leads to increased alertness, and depending on how much is used, can cause people to stay awake for days or experience drug-induced psychosis.^4,5

Over time, regular ice use disrupts the brain’s ability to regulate these chemicals, making it difficult for people to feel good without the drug. This often leads to strong cravings, making withdrawal and relapse particularly tough.⁶

As well as these brain changes, many people who use ice also experience mental health issues. Managing both substance use and mental health challenges can make the recovery process more difficult.^2,7

For some people, there are barriers to getting help. One of the biggest hurdles for people seeking treatment is stigma.

Many Australians who use ice report feeling judged or discriminated against, which can make them reluctant to seek help. This stigma can come from health services or people in their communities.

Some people use more drugs to cope with these negative experiences, creating a cycle that is hard to break.^6,8

What treatments are currently available for ice use in Australia?

Medications for ice

There are currently no approved medications which specifically treat ice dependence in Australia.

But, there are some promising new treatment options being researched.

For example, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown potential to reduce cravings by helping restore balance to the chemicals disrupted in the brain through ice use.^9,10

While there are other medicines still in development, a combination of behavioural therapies and support can offer valuable help for people who are seeking recovery.

Behavioural therapies for ice use

Behavioural therapies work best for people who can attend regular appointments and have other supports in place such as stable housing and income. They’re most effective when combined with other services that help manage these essential aspects of life.¹¹

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help people change their thought patterns and develop healthier coping skills. CBT focuses on identifying the triggers for drug use and finding better ways to respond. It’s widely used across individual, group, and online settings to support people dealing with substance use issues.⁵

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is another form of therapy, where people can have non-judgemental conversations with a health professional about their drug use. Even if someone is not ready to make changes, MI can help them reassess their relationship with drugs. It’s often combined with CBT for further support.¹¹

People can access these types of therapies and other treatment options by seeing a psychologist. Psychologists provide safe and confidential spaces to explore thoughts, set goals, and develop skills for managing drug use. Medicare in Australia offers rebates for a limited number of psychology sessions each year, making this a more accessible option for those with mental health concerns.¹¹

Drug counselling through specialised services can be a good option for people dealing with both drug use and mental health issues. Services like Turning Point offer free, 24-hour alcohol and drug counselling online.^11,12

Another method is Contingency Management (CM). It uses rewards to encourage abstinence from ice use. Participants get incentives, such as vouchers, for providing drug-free test results. While CM has been shown to reduce ice use, more research is needed on its long-term effectiveness.⁵

There are also support groups like SMART Recovery Australia and Crystal Methamphetamine Anonymous which provide free, peer-based support for people in recovery. These groups are an accessible way for people to connect with others who share similar experiences, and they can complement treatments like CBT or MI.¹¹

What treatments for ice could become available in the future?

New and innovative treatments for ice use are currently being explored in Australia.

The National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) are trialling a new approach to managing the withdrawal symptoms.

Lisdexamfetamine, which is a medication typically prescribed for ADHD, is being trialled to see if it can reduce these symptoms. Early results have been positive, and it could become the world’s first treatment for methamphetamine withdrawal.^13,14

NCCRED are also working on a trial where participants are treated with both naltrexone and bupropion. Naltrexone is a drug used in pharmacotherapy, where a legally prescribed drug is given to help treat a person’s alcohol or opioid (such as heroin) dependence. Bupropion is a common antidepressant used to treat general depression and seasonal affective disorder.^15-17

As research continues, these new medications could offer a way to help people overcome methamphetamine dependence.

More information

For further reading and advice on ice and the available treatments, check out the links below.

• Cracks in the Ice
• Turning Point
• Australian Drug Trends 2024: Key Findings from the National Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews
• Lifeline.