- Baclofen is a prescription drug that normally treats spinal cord injuries
- But a new study reveals that it may have an anti-craving effect on the brain
- It may even be able to reduce the need for rehabilitation in the long term
- The trial will begin in November with 18 meth-addicted patients
A pill usually used as a muscle relaxant will be trialled as a cure for ice addiction – and it only costs $1.
Baclofen was licensed in the 1970s to treat people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and strokes but has been shown to be an anti-craving device for treating alcohol and cocaine addictions.
A study, led by WA Health emergency medicine specialist Dr Amanda Stafford, found that there is an individual dose limit that each addict needs of the cheap prescription drug and after it is met the anti-craving capabilities settle in.
Baclofen was licensed in the 1970s to treat people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and strokes but has been shown to be an anti-craving device for treating alcohol and cocaine addictions
A study, led by WA Health emergency medicine specialist Dr Amanda Stafford, found that there is an individual dose limit that each addict needs of the cheap prescription drug (pictured) and after it is met the anti-craving capabilities settle in
Dr Stafford believes that this form of therapy may eradicate the need for rehabilitation – but not for everyone.
Those that had ‘spiralled’ too far would still require ongoing treatment if they were to rebuild their lives, she told Perth Now.
‘If you like meth then you’ll keep using it but for others, when the party’s over and they take stock of what they’re losing and they really want to get off meth, this Baclofen might be something that will help them succeed,’ Dr Stafford said.
Dr Stafford believes that this form of therapy may eradicate the need for rehabilitation – but not for everyone
‘For people who have been sliding downwards but still have a skerrick of normality, they may simply need a craving modification drug such as Baclofen which will allow them to rebuild the life they had.’
The trial, which will begin in November in Perth, involves 18 meth-addicted patients and should take a year.
There is hope that the results will help establish prescription drugs like Baclofen as a genuine treatment for ice addiction.