Teens & Methamphetamines

Table of Contents

No parent wants to believe their child would use drugs or abuse alcohol, but at times this can be a struggle for your child. In 2020, 40.3 million people aged 12 or older in the United States had a substance use disorder including 28.3 million with alcohol use disorder, 18.4 million with an illicit drug use disorder, and 6.5 million with both alcohol use disorder and illicit drug use disorder8.

Changes in behavior are among the top warning signs of drug abuse, and ignoring the warning signs is one of the biggest mistakes parents of addicted loved ones can make. Finding help and support for your addicted child can help them find recovery. The way you speak to your child can influence how receptive they are to accepting treatment.

What is
Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, also known as meth, is a highly addictive and dangerous stimulant drug. It is closely related to amphetamine and is typically available in the form of a white, odorless, and bitter-tasting powder that can be easily dissolved in water or alcohol. Meth can also be found in pill form or as a crystal-like substance that is smoked.The drug is often referred to as “crystal meth,” “ice,” or “glass” when it is in the crystal form. It is highly addictive and can be consumed in a number of ways, including snorting, injecting, or smoking.

Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant that increases the levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, in the brain. This can produce a strong sense of euphoria, increased alertness and energy, and decreased appetite in users.Meth can also be called by other street names such as:

Physical Risk &
SIde Effects

Methamphetamine is becoming a more common drug to the youth. There are multiple physical side effects and risks that affect teens when they are abusing meth which include the following:

 

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure: Meth can increase the heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Malnutrition: Meth can suppress appetite and lead to malnutrition and weight-loss.
  • Damage to teeth: Meth abuse can lead to “meth mouth,” a condition characterized by rapid tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease.
  • Skin problems: Meth abuse can lead to skin sores, abscesses, and infections, scars, and burns.
  • Sexual risk-taking: Meth use can lead to risky sexual behavior, which can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies in teens.

Mental Side Effects of Meth

Meth doesn’t just have physical effects, it also causes mental side effects that include:

  • Depression: Meth can lead to mental illness such as depression and other mood disorders. 
  • Cognitive Impairment: Such as memory loss, attention, and other cognitive functions. 
  • Psychosis: a mental disorder that is described by hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms such as being incoherent, nonsense speech, and extreme inappropriate  behavior.
  • Paranoia:   Meth can lead to paranoia thinking and behavior.

Social and Relationship Risks

Using meth on a regular basis can affect close relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and school members. While using methamphetamine it can change your energy levels, so while one day you may be ready for the day and do very well, the next day you could be lazy and not do anything. This affects work and school life for teens. 

 

Also abusing meth can lead to an increase in sexual activities. This can be inappropriate behavior for teens. This puts a strain on relationships if the teen using meth is trying to be sexually active with multiple partners. 



What to Do if You Think
Your Child is Using Meth?

It can be difficult to know how to approach the subject of drug use with your teenager. You may be feeling scared, angry, or helpless. It’s important to try to have an open and honest conversation with your teenager about their drug use. Avoid judging or lecturing them, and try to listen to their perspective. 

You might want to ask them why they started using drugs, what their experience has been like, and if they’re thinking about quitting. It’s also important to let them know that you’re there for them and that you want to help them get through this tough time. If you’re concerned that your teenager is using meth, there are a few things you can do. 

First, try to talk to them about it. If they’re unwilling to talk or if you’re not getting anywhere, you might want to consider getting professional help. There are many resources available to families dealing with a teen who is using meth.

Signs That Your Teen
May be Using Meth

There are a number of signs that your teen is using meth. Here are some signs that your teen is abusing methamphetamine:

  1. Physical Changes : include weight loss, change in appetite, excessive sweating, and dilated pupils.
  2.  Meth Mouth : Meth mouth is caused by using extreme hot glass or metal pipes while smoking meth. It causes sores, lashes, cuts, and scars on or around the mouth. 
  3. Behavior Changes : Teens who are abusing meth may have some behavioral changes such as extreme mood swings, depression, feelings of euphoria, and irritability. 
  4. Change is Appetite :  Teens who use meth can lose the feeling of being hungry. This can cause teens to lose weight at a fast pace. Cause their eyes to look “sunk” 
  5. Change in personal hygiene : Teens who are using meth can start to lose interest in their personal appearance. They can stop taking care of themselves, and stop doing their personal hygiene routines.
  6. Changes in School : Teens can start to fail classes,  start to skip classes due to withdrawal from meth or “crashing” , isolation from friends at school, and have a hard time remembering and learning.

How Can We
Help Your Team?

Here at Solace Treatment Center we are here to help you, help your teen. We have substance abuse programs such as Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs). IOPs are important because we understand that your teen still has obligations outside of treatment to fulfill. They can still come home while receiving the help they need. We also offer Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP). This is important because teens can get group and individual therapy. 

 

We have many therapy and medical options for your teen. Contact us today so we can help you determine what is the best option for you and your child. We are here to help your child get on the road to recovery. There is a life for your teen without methamphetamine addiction.

Sources

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  7. Partnership Staff. (2021, February 10). Get One-on-one help to address your child’s substance use. Partnership to End Addiction. Retrieved January 31, 2022, from https://drugfree.org/article/get-one-on-one-help/?gclid=CjwKCAiA866PBhAYEiwANkIneEdqFU44ch-BDwNgXoB1as3MUl3USjgX1T10t3P6Rib8HWw93RSGjBoCjvMQAvD_BwE#About%20our%20helpline
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