Perth researchers working on meth addiction cure

Researchers in Perth will conduct a trial of a pill that could be used as an inexpensive and simple home-use treatment to overcome methamphetamine addiction.

Curtin University’s National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) is investigating whether n-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduces addicts’ cravings for crystal meth and helps them quit. It has shown promise in substance abuse treatment. The drug balances chemicals in the brain and is aimed at the compound glutamate, which researchers believe, is the cause of cravings. The team thinks that NAC could lessen crystal meth’s toxic impacts on the brain, such as generating powerful mood swings

The main advantage of NAC is that a doctor could prescribe the medication for an addict to use at home, taking one tablet twice a day. Health officials estimate that about 1% of Australians aged 14 and above have used crystal meth during the past 12 months.

The National Health and Medical Research Council is funding NDRI’s drug treatment trial, which will take place at three locations. Researchers plan to recruit 180 people for the study, with half of the participants taking NAC during the two-year study period.

Associate Professor, Rebecca McKetin from Perth’s NDRI, the study’s lead researcher, said earlier studies had indicated that NAC could reduce people’s cravings for using crystal meth and other substances, including tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine. She added that this study would be the largest conducted to date for testing the effectiveness of NAC to treat drug addiction.