Crystal Meth Anonymous

Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) is an 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. 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.^[1]

Additional recommended knowledge

Weighing the right way

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

How to quickly check pipettes?

Prevalence and Demographics

In large metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC, CMA is largely composed of gay men, reflecting the use of methamphetamine in urban gay communities. It has become a drug of choice in gay clubs and circuit parties. In 2005, a Los Angeles clinic estimated that one out of three gay or bisexual HIV-positive men admitted to using methamphetamine.^[2][3] Methamphetamine may lower inhibitions, increasing the likelihood of engaging in unprotected sex and sharing needles.^[4] In 2002, the United States Department of Health and Human Services estimated 12 million people, age 12 and over, had used methamphetamine—600,000 of which claimed to be current users—with a growth rate of approximately 300,000 new users per year.^[3]

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.^[5][6]

See also

• Cocaine Anonymous
• List of twelve-step groups
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Methamphetamine and sex

References