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Crystal Meth Anonymous

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Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) is a twelve-step program of recovered and recovering methamphetamine addicts. Participants meet in local groups of varying sizes in order to stay clean and help others recover from methamphetamine addiction. CMA encourages complete abstinence from methamphetamine, alcohol, inhalants, and all other drugs not taken as prescribed.

What is CMA?

What is Crystal Meth Anonymous? Crystal Meth Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from addiction to crystal meth. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. There are no dues or fees for CMA membership; it is self-supporting through its own contributions. CMA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Its primary purpose is to help its members lead a sober life and carry the message of recovery to the crystal meth addict who still suffers.[1] CMA uses the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous as its basic text. During readings from the literature at meetings, however, references to "drinking," "alcoholic," and "alcoholism" are replaced by "using," "addict," and "addiction" respectively.

Disease Model of Addiction

In its treatment of addiction, CMA follows the disease model of alcoholism used by the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous. One way that the Big Book distinguishes moderate and heavy drinkers from alcoholics is that the former can quit drinking given sufficient reason, ill health, warning of a doctor, family or work troubles, but the real alcoholic is driven to drink more in response to there potential tragedies. [2]CMA and other Big Book-based fellowships, such as Cocaine Anonymous, believe that this same mentality distinguishes the drug abuser from the drug addict. This is distinction is currently finding support in the medical field.[3]

How does CMA work?

Like other Twelve Step fellowships, CMA’s program of recovery consists of three basic components:
1. Meetings and fellowship. Members attend meetings regularly to learn how others have stayed sober and to find support in our efforts to cope with fear, loneliness, grief or other emotions that might overwhelm members from time to time. After a meeting, members often go out as a group for dinner or coffee. At fellowship, members discuss the ideas they have just heard and get to know other members on a more personal level. Experience has shown that daily attendance of Twelve Step meetings and fellowship are among the most effective ways to stay sober.
2. Sponsorship and Step work. A sponsor is another recovering addict whom members choose to offer guidance in working the Twelve Steps of CMA. Sponsors also share with sponsees how they have stayed sober and make suggestions to help sponsees stay sober as well. Sponsors do not tell sponsees what to do; the choices we make in recovery are theirs alone.
3. Service and commitments. Members strengthen their sobriety by helping other addicts. They volunteer to do service. Examples include agreeing to make coffee, stock recovery literature, keep a group’s finances, or stand by the door to greet newcomers. These commitments keep members attending meetings regularly, help others in the program get to know those members and provide them with the satisfaction of following through on their promises.[4]

Singleness of Purpose

How is CMA different than other Twelve Step programs? In keeping with the principle known as Singleness of Purpose, CMA has found that members relate best to other crystal meth addicts because they understand the darkness, paranoia, and compulsions of this particular addiction. The Twelve Steps of CMA were adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. CMA does not believe that it is better or worse than other Twelve Step programs. At the same time, many of members fail to fully identify with alcholics or heroin addicts, for example. The hyper-extended length and intensity of crystal meth’s effects, be it compulsive cleaning or sexual activity, are unique. Many members have attended other Twelve Step programs, but the feeling of identification in the rooms of CMA has helped them to keep coming back. [5]

History and Prevalence

Founded in West Hollywood, California, CMA now has a presence in over 100 metropolitan areas of the United States, as well as parts of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.[6] The first CMA World Service Conference will be held in Park City, Utah from October 17th - 19th, 2008. At that convention, the first bylaws will be adopted.

Effectiveness

See also: Twelve-step program: Effectiveness

After three months of participation in CMA members reported their number of sexual partners had dropped from seven to less than one and self-reports of unprotected anal intercourse when using methamphetamine dropped by two-thirds. In a six month follow up, 64% had remained abstinent from methamphetamines while an additional 20% had used only once.[7][8]

Literature

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (1976-06-01). Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. ISBN 0916856593. OCLC 32014950.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (2002-02-10). Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. ISBN 0916856011. OCLC 13572433.

See also

References

  1. ^ "CMA Literature". Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  2. ^ Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 21-22 (1976-06-01). Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. ISBN 0916856593. OCLC 32014950.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ ["http://www.instituteforaddictionstudy.com/SlateResponse072807.htm "The Most Important Question There is About Addiction"]. Retrieved 2008-08-02. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. ^ "CMA Literature". Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  5. ^ "CMA Literature". Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  6. ^ "Show All CMA Meeting Areas". Retrieved 2007-06-11.
  7. ^ Lyons, Thomas M. (2006-10-08). "APHA 134th Annual Meeting and Exposition". Conference Proceedings: APHA 134 Annual Meeting and Exposition. Public Health and Human Rights. Boston, Massachusetts. 141356. Retrieved 2007-06-10. {{cite conference}}: Unknown parameter |booktitle= ignored (|book-title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. ^ Lyons, Thomas (2006). "Stimulant use and HIV Risk Behavior: The Influence of Peer Support Group Participation". AIDS Education and Prevention. 18 (5): 461–473. doi:10.1521/aeap.2006.18.5.461. ISSN 0899-9546. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
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