Methamphetamine addiction is complex with no single cause and variable outcomes depending on treatment. While myths exist that meth addicts cannot be treated or complete treatment, outcomes are similar to other drugs when people receive adequate treatment and support. Treatment is most effective when it addresses an individual's specific needs, offers harm reduction services without requiring immediate abstinence, and meets them wherever they are at in their recovery journey with compassion and without judgment. Providers must work to overcome stigma and establish trust so those struggling will feel comfortable seeking the help they need.

1. METH AND WOMEN www.risk-evaluation.info

3. Tipping points unknown

4. Short half life drugs are more dependence producing

5. Also a product of set and setting

6. Bottom-line:No definitive statement yet

7. A typical high can last 8-12 hours

8. It’s possible to maintain meth use for days, sometimes even weeks (bingeing, runs)

9. Meth can impair attention span, memory, impulse control, ability to process, decision making, and prioritization

10. Meth can cause exhaustion and acute depression, negative health impact

12. Easily distracted

13. Forget agreements, miss appointments

14. Paranoia and lack of trust

15. Diminished ability to handle frustration and stress

16. Multiple health impact

17. Treatment Myths/Drug Treatment

18. Specific Interventions

19. Counseling & Case Management Settings

20. Sex Workers

22. Meth addicts don’t complete treatment.

23. Meth addicts have the highest rate of relapse.

24. Outcomes look much like outcomes for treatment of other drugs (Brecht,M, Women & Methamphetamine)

25. Better MA-use outcomes strongly related to more time in treatment (Brecht,M, Women & Methamphetamine)

27. ladies night

28. satellite syringe programs

29. delivery programs

30. safer injection techniques

31. drug use information

32. Safer sex

33. providing condoms, (female & male), lube, lube and more lube

34. women’s health information

35. discussion

36. Have flexible no show policies

37. Drop in hours, brief intakes, short waiting times

38. Telephone reminders

39. Multiple services available at one site/one time

40. Compatible scheduling/appointments, drop in hours, testing times

41. Make food, water available/ Make it to go

42. Don’t assume that you can’t talk with someone who’s high

44. Holistic services

45. Harm reduction with both sex work and meth use

46. Programming that does not require abstinence for either sex work/meth use

47. Have activities for the restless

48. Use the most basic harm reduction messages

49. Materials should have “selling points”

50. Avoid having posters or distributing negative/shaming educational materials,

52. Treatment and services that are women specific

53. Get creative

54. Provider training

56. About us Alberto Islas Torres, is founding partner of Risk Evaluation a specialized firm in crisis management, operational and financial risk assessment. His experience, in the Office of President Zedillo, as well as his formation in political economy, have allowed him to take part in relevant projects such as; the development of public awareness campaigns in Latin America and the development of a methodological framework to apply decision making models to implement public policy initiatives to reduce transnational threats and national security issues such as drug consumption and traffic, arms trafficking, and organized crime threats across regions. He has also worked as an Advisor to various Cabinet members in Mexico, United Kingdom and Brazil. Currently he is coproducing a documentary on the impact of drug consumption in the Mexican society. In the field of strategic planning he has lead efforts to solve adverse situation before public opinion and creditors. In the financial sector he was part of a telecommunications conglomerate that issued the first 30 year global bond; he helped a shipping company to obtained the highest tax claim from the federal government; introduced a group of 5 Mexican banks to develop the remittances market to lower the cost of the service; as well as securing funds and developing the business strategy of different financial entities. At present he serves as a board member and President of the Audit Committee in Crediamigo, a retail financial group; Comercializadora del Sureste a retail consumption outlet in Mexico and Guatemala, Grupo RHM a Hotel chain in Spain and Latin America, and various Non Governmental Organizations. Master of Science in Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyBA in Economics, ITAM, Mexico City