Treatment of ICE Use Disorders
ICE = crystal methamphetamine
Crystal chunks or ice or glass looking substance derived from pseudoephedrine
Most commonly used illicit drug after cannabis
Smoked, snorted or IV use
Gives euphoria, ‘rush’, confidence, loss of inhibitions – risk taking behaviour
Adverse effects – paranoid thinking, anxiety, depressed mood, insomnia, hyperthermia, teeth disease, arrhythmias, stroke, Parkinson’s disease risk
Both abuse and dependence syndromes
Treatment
Behavioural and psychological approaches – contingency management, cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational enhancement strategies
No approved medications for ICE use disorders
Possible pharmacotherapy approaches
To ease symptoms of withdrawal – tapered treatment
Dexamphetamine or methylphenidate or modafinil stimulants
Bupropion (releases monoamines – dopamine, serotonin, noradrenalin)
Substitute therapies
Dexamphetamine, methylphenidate, or modafinil
Prevent relapse
Naltrexone
Immunotherapy
Anti-methamphetamine monoclonal antibodies (AMMA) – bind methamphetamine in peripheral blood – role in overdose and relapse prevention