Monoclonal Antibodies As A Treatment for Meth Addiction?
An Everett hospital was chosen to take part in a research study for a new treatment for meth addiction.
So far, doctors say results have been promising.
Curtis Letzkus has been through the Providence Hospital emergency department more times than he can remember for overdoses and other addiction-related issues.
"I've been in and out of this hospital for years and years," he said. "One of my more lengthy stays was 67 days in the ICU. So, yeah, I've been here a bit."
Among other things, Letzkus was addicted to meth. His disease caused him to live in a tent for 9 years. Getting clean was brutal.
"The withdrawal is really uncomfortable," said Letzkus. "A lot of sweating and a lot of anxiety. Not being able to sleep for days and days. Fidgeting all the time. It isn't pretty."
Letzkus was far from alone.
According to the State Department of Health, the number of fatal meth overdoses in Washington ballooned from 54 in 2000 to 728 in 2020.
Nationwide, between 2015 and 2019, meth-related deaths grew exponentially to more than 15,000 per year, a 180% increase, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
While there are medical and chemical treatments to help people recover from opioid addiction there is nothing for meth, until now.
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https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/antidote-meth-addiction-providence-everett/281-c0970eda-b27c-4458-adcd-ed2b7c5ab81b
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