Teen Crystal Meth Addiction

Teen crystal meth addiction is a problem that has invaded the United States on all fronts. Unlike many other illicit drugs, it is made in the country, often in rural or suburban underground meth labs. It is an inexpensive drug and one that is often used socially and in conjunction with other drugs like alcohol or marijuana. It causes a rapid degeneration in a relatively short period of time – parents are often shocked by how quickly their teen’s entire appearance and personality changes under the influence of crystal meth addiction.

Teen crystal meth addiction information is often scattered and riddled with rumors. It’s difficult for concerned parents to sift through the available information and find what they need to help their teen if they believe that crystal meth addiction is an issue.

If your teen is living with an active addiction to crystal meth or need help identifying if they do and you have more questions about treatment or you feel that your teen needs crystal meth rehab contact us at Newport Academy today. We offer inpatient and outpatient treatment programs that can help your child learn how to live a life without drugs and alcohol.

Teen Crystal Meth Addiction 101

What is crystal meth exactly? This is the first question of many parents. Stories on the news about meth lab explosions and related drug busts are scary, and parents are often concerned about the drug their teen may be ingesting – and rightfully so. Crystal meth is a stimulant drug that comes in a toxic, crystallized powder form. Homemade in hidden labs across the country, it is an unregulated substance that is often created with common household chemicals that are highly volatile.

The drug’s chief function is to provide a stimulating high that gives the teen energy and focus. Many teens use it because it increases their metabolism and they drop weight rapidly while on the drug. Other teens take it to help them stay out later with friends, while a few use it to stay awake to study or complete school projects. Teens often abuse the drug by snorting the powder in lines like cocaine, cooking and injecting it like heroin or smoking it in a pipe. All of these methods deliver the same rush of euphoria immediately followed by a high-energy period.

Under the influence, many teens are extremely social and friendly, seeming unable to sit still or stop moving, while others become close-mouthed, quiet and focused on the minutiae of a single task. When the drug begins to wear off, addicted teens crave more. When they stay awake too long and take too much of the drug, they risk dehydration, hallucinations, heart attack, seizures and death.

Does Your Child Have a Crystal Meth Problem

Because the initial effects of the drug are weight loss, social interaction and late nights, many parents don’t recognize crystal meth addiction in their teens right away. Within a relatively short period, if you notice any of the following, your teen might be on drugs or crystal meth:

• Your teen is losing weight too quickly: Teens can lose 10 pounds in a week due to increased metabolism caused by the drug and a loss of appetite. Malnourishment is often evidenced in just a few short weeks through bad skin, lackluster hair, sunken cheeks and eye sockets, and saggy skin.
• Your teen has wild mood swings: When they don’t sleep during their ‘up’ periods are often quickly followed by intense ‘down’ periods characterized by depression and long bouts of sleeping. The mood swings may make your head spin, but even though moodiness is common during the teen years, this is something far more intense.

Unlike other drugs of addiction, crystal meth is characterized by longer cycles of relapse. Your teen may be able to quit using the drug for months, only to relapse unexpectedly after six to nine months of sobriety. The best that parents can do is ascertain that crystal meth addiction is the issue and get their child the necessary help as soon as possible.

Getting Help Early On

The best way to fight teen crystal meth addiction is to identify it early and address the situation immediately. If your teen is under the age of 18, he or she does not have to voluntarily enter treatment. As their parent or legal guardian, you have the right to make the executive decision that teen crystal meth rehab is necessary for your child and take steps to make that happen. An intervention, however, can still be a handy tool. By preparing your teen for what to expect during treatment and including him or her in the process, an intervention can help you to put the responsibility for their continued health in their hands by letting them know that rehab is not a punishment, but a medical treatment that will help them get their lives back.

Temptations and cravings can seem to come out of nowhere, surprising parents and teens alike. The best way to handle the issue is to enroll your teen in a long-term, residential treatment program that is designed specifically for teenagers, one that addresses the medical issues caused by crystal meth addiction as well as the psychological dependence that comes with abusing a drug in order to function.

Treatment Assistance Available at Newport Academy

At Newport Academy, we provide an all-encompassing crystal meth rehab program for teenagers who are living with an active addiction. Contact us today to learn more about the details of our program or to schedule an appointment to speak with a counselor about your teen’s future here at Newport Academy.