Methamphetamine is a notoriously addictive drug. The justice system's failure to fully recognize that has made it all that much more difficult for people who need treatment to find it. As a result, it remains a major challenge for someone to break meth's hold on them.

For too often, authorities emphasize drug charges and punishment. Rehabilitation and treatment frequently get short shrift in comparison. Recently in the St. Louis area, however, media reports have recognized two men who were hooked on meth but have managed to overcome their addictions.

One man, now 52, says he became addicted to meth after initially using it trying to stay awake for his truck-driving job. In those days, he worked for a casket company, so the loads he transported as a truck driver consisted of caskets.

The man counts himself luck to not be in one of those caskets himself. Eventually, he was arrested for operating a meth lab and sent to prison. But a prison-based Alcoholics Anonymous program helped him to turn his life around.

For another man who overcame meth, the key turning point came after he was released from prison for the second time. His wife encouraged him to move to a different county in Missouri. He moved to Jefferson County and began attending a 12-step program at his church.

The program is called Celebrate Recovery. The man attended for the first time in 2007. Today, at age 45, he leads the group

To be sure, even after overcoming meth addiction, there are still physical consequences. The first man lost his teeth and became a diabetic as a result of using methamphetamine.

Still, the stories of the two men show that recovery from meth addiction is possible. Society makes it hard, though, when demand for treatment resources so often exceeds supply.

Source: "Victory Over Meth Addiction Is Rare & Inspiring," Fox 2now St. Louis, Paul Schankman, 2-11-13

Our firm handles situations similar to those discussed in this post in St. Louis. To learn more about our practice, please visit our page on meth charges.