Addiction is definitely a serious problem. And many, many people struggle with lasting recovery. But after reading a dozen articles about new trials for more addiction treatment drugs, you might begin to wonder. Has anyone ever talked to people about how they left their particular addiction behind? Have we asked people who no longer use methamphetamine or cocaine or synthetics about what they did? Is the only way to treat addiction to methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana or other drugs with a vaccine, drug or antibody? Is there any empirical knowledge on how to help a person achieve lasting sobriety without interfering with a person’s body or brain chemistry? Have we really looked at what else is being done?

Until we are sure there is no empirical knowledge, it seems a bit foolish to invest billions in investigational studies on helpless animals or unsuspecting humans.

Sometimes “low tech” provides the answers we’re looking for. Searching only for “high tech” solutions (at astronomical expense) might mean that we neglect the simple answers that cost us little. We should never overlook the simple answers available to us if we look with humility and a willingness to learn.

The US FDA has not approved any medications for the treatment of methamphetamine (METH) use disorders. Currently, cognitive-behavioral and contingency-management interventions are the most effective treatments. IXT-m200, a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds METH in the blood, is being developed as a pharmacological treatment for use in conjunction with behavior therapies. Based on nonclinical studies, IXT-m200 is expected to alter METH pharmacokinetics in human subjects resulting in reduced or blocked METH subjective effects that reinforce METH use.