Outpatient management of crystal methamphetamine dependence among gay and bisexual men: How can it be done?

The rise in methamphetamine use among gay and bisexual men in urban centers over the past 10 years has resulted in a greater understanding of the biologic, psychologic, and cultural dimensions of the problem, as well as the development of specific treatments for this patient population. Culturally informed individual counseling and group psychotherapy, based on the principles of motivational interviewing and organized around the Matrix Model, appear to be most effective in the outpatient management of this difficult illness. Pharmacotherapy is limited to the treatment of co-occurring psychiatric disorders.