Treatment options for overcoming stimulant drug addiction, from the Harvard Mental Health Letter

Published: March, 2009

Two million Americans are addicted to cocaine or other types of stimulants. Breaking free from this kind of addiction is a formidable task. The March 2009 issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter outlines current treatment options for stimulant addiction and looks at how a vaccine might offer some aid.

Psychotherapy remains a mainstay of treatment. Various techniques can help individuals "unlearn" an addiction, resist cravings, and build a drug-free life. Options include cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and a multi-pronged method called the Matrix Model.

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