Toronto, ON (March 19, 2025) – The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is leading the Ontario arm of the ASCME Trial, the largest clinical trial ever conducted for methamphetamine use disorder. This groundbreaking study, involving 440 participants across Canada, aims to evaluate medication and psychological support as potential treatments for methamphetamine addiction, addressing a critical gap in current healthcare options.
Methamphetamine, also known as “meth,” or “crystal meth,” belongs to a family of highly addictive and powerful stimulants called amphetamines. Illegal in Canada, it poses severe health risks, including heart attack, stroke, brain damage, and overdose. The number of people visiting CAMH’s Emergency Department due to amphetamine use increased by more than 700 per cent between 2014 and 2021.
Dr. Bernard Le Foll, Senior Scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research and ASCME Site Principal Investigator at CAMH, emphasizes the critical need for effective treatments: “At present, therapeutic options for methamphetamine addiction are limited, despite the alarming rise in its prevalence and detrimental effects on patients’ lives.”
The ASCME Trial (which stands for Addition of high dose Stimulant and engagement-focused Contingency management for the management of MEthamphetamine use disorder), will evaluate the efficacy of lisdexamfetamine (brand name Vyvanse), a medication approved for ADHD treatment, as a potential substitution therapy for methamphetamine. Initial research suggests that high-dose psychostimulants such as Vyvanse could mitigate cravings, enhance mental health, and demonstrate safety at elevated doses. Concurrently, participants may engage in contingency management, a method proven effective in stimulating abstinence through incentives.
The trial randomly assigns participants to one of four groups: placebo, placebo with contingency management, Vyvanse alone, or Vyvanse with contingency management. This comprehensive approach aims to validate a scalable treatment model amidst growing demand.
Dr. Didier Jutras-Awad, Principal Scientist, Neuroscience at CHUM Research Center (CRCHUM) is the Nominated Principal Investigator of the trial. Dr. Jutras-Awad underscores the study’s significance: “The ASCME trial explores a novel approach for methamphetamine use disorder, marking a pivotal advancement in addressing Canada’s urgent public health challenge. If successful, our innovative strategy has the potential to revolutionize care, significantly improving outcomes and long-term well-being.”
CAMH has long been a leader in amphetamine research and care. Operating from a trauma-informed perspective, the COMPASS clinic integrates evidence-based therapies like motivational enhancement and cognitive behavior therapy, emphasizing dignity and collaboration with clients and community providers. Access to clinic services can be done via self-referral.
Dr. Le Foll encourages potential participants to consider joining the trial: “This trial offers hope for the development of effective therapeutic strategies for individuals grappling with methamphetamine use disorder."
Potential participants must be 18-55 years old, have moderate to severe methamphetamine use disorder, and want to quit or reduce the amount they use. To learn more, email ASCME.Study@camh.ca, visit the website, or call 416-535-8501 ext. 31571.
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About the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
CAMH is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For more information, please visit camh.ca or follow @CAMHnews on Twitter.
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