By Suleiman Tajudeen
…Continued from last week
CITIZENS COMPASS— Management must be clinical and holistic. Detoxification under medical supervision manages withdrawal; for opioids, medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone are used in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). There is no approved medication for methamphetamine use disorder, so treatment is supportive (NIDA, 2023).
Behavioural therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CB)] and contingency management help change drug-use behaviors. Counseling, both individual and group, addresses trauma and triggers. 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous provide peer support. Psychiatric care treats co-occurring disorders like depression and psychosis. Rehabilitation centers offer structured inpatient or outpatient programs.
Aftercare including follow-up, vocational training, and relapse prevention skills is critical for long-term recovery (WHO, 2021).
In overdose emergencies, naloxone can reverse opioid toxicity if administered promptly. Meth overdose with seizures or hyperthermia requires immediate emergency care.
Family therapy
Family therapy addresses communication, boundaries and enabling behaviour.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT Techniques:
Cognitive restructuring: Challenge thoughts like “I need meth to work” → “I can use caffeine + rest to work”.
Coping Skills Training: Refuse skills for peer pressure, stress management without drugs.
Relapse Prevention: Identify high-risk situations. Make an “if-then” plan: “If I pass old using a spot, then I call my sponsor”.
Contingency Management (CM)
Based on Operant Conditioning: Reward drug-free behavior.
How it works: Client gives urine sample. If negative for drugs, they get a voucher, prize, or privilege. Strong evidence for stimulant use like methamphetamine where no approved medication exists.
Nursing/Medical Implication: In rehab settings, consistent reward for attendance and negative tests improves retention.
Conclusion
Methamphetamine, morphine, and opium abuse cause devastating health and social consequences. In Nigeria and globally, the problem is driven by availability, poverty, and poor health education. However, recovery is possible through prevention, early intervention, and comprehensive treatment. Strengthening drug policy, improving healthcare worker training, and investing in rehabilitation services are essential steps. Nurses and healthcare professionals play a vital role in screening, educating, and supporting patients on their path to recovery.
References
National Institute on Drug Abuse.. _Methamphetamine research report_. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://nida.nih.gov[2023]
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.. _Drug use in Nigeria 2018_. UNODC. https://www.unodc.org (2018)
For questions and medical consultations, contact: Dr. Suleiman Tajudeen, CEO and Director of Clinical Psychology, Clear Mind Psychological Consult, Km 15, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos. +234 803 402 4457
