Treatment of methamphetamine dependence with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Iran: A critical note

Objevtive: this comment article reviews the literature to explore whether the use of ect for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence can be justified by scientific rationale and/or evidence. method: this article reviews the literature on the use of ect in addictive disorders. it describes a patient with methamphetamine dependence treated with ect. it then offers a historical review of the moral and ethical difficulties encountered in the treatment of addictive disorders. it proposes a dynamic understanding as to why clinicians might deploy such brutal actions in the face of hopeless and emotionally intense encounters. results: we found no scientific evidence or justification for ect as a treatment of methamphetamine dependence or as the first line treatment for methamphetamine-induced psychiatric comorbidities conclusion: the current available evidence does not support using ect for the treatment of addictive disorders,and hence is unethical,unacceptable and inhumane and warrants immediate social and political attention.