One of the most effective ways to address the situation when a loved one is living with crystal meth addiction is to stage an intervention with the goal of getting them crystal meth rehab help immediately. However, no matter how well you prepare or what you do, it doesn’t always in work. In some cases, your loved one will initially refuse crystal meth addiction treatment. What do you do when this happens? Do you give up? Absolutely not. Stand your ground and prepare yourself for the fact that anything can happen.

Either Choose Crystal Meth Rehab or…

Before you stage a crystal meth addiction intervention, you should take some time to come up with something like an ultimatum to give your loved one. Spouses may say, “Either you get crystal meth addiction treatment or I will need a separation.” Bosses may say, “Either you accept the addiction help we’re offering you today or you will need to find another job.” These ultimatums are not designed to control your addicted loved one but to protect you and others who are living with the effects of their addiction. You are offering them help. It is not fair for you to continue to live with all the problems that come with their addiction if they refuse treatment. You are letting them know with this ultimatum that if they say “no,” you will begin prioritizing your own health and wellbeing.

Stand Your Ground if Your Loved One Refuses Crystal Meth Rehab

The provision of consequences can have one of many effects on your loved one: the fear of losing whatever has been put on the table may be enough to spur your addicted family member to choose crystal meth rehab – or it could make them angry and push them instead to say “no” out of spite. In some cases, your loved one may understand your position and need to protect yourself by putting distance between yourself and their continued addiction but still choose not to go to rehab.

If your loved one says “no” to treatment, the most important thing for you to do is follow through on your promise. If you said you’d file for divorce, do it. If you said that your loved one would need to move out, make it so. It won’t be easy for you or for them, but it is absolutely crucial that you stand your ground.

Are you looking for a crystal meth rehab for your loved one? Would you like to be matched with a professional interventionist that can help you help your family member? Contact us at The Canyon today and let us help you get started.

Jodie Sweetin played Stephanie Tanner on TV’s Full House for years, and that experience the young mom will have no problem sharing with her children. It’s how she filled the intervening years between her TV show and her motherhood that she says she won’t be talking about with her little ones anytime soon: namely, her addiction to methamphetamines and alcohol.

Sweetin has two daughters: Zoie, 3, and Beatrix, 8 months. She is married to their father, Morty Coyle.

As much as Sweetin does not want to discuss her past drug addiction with her little girls, she maintains that she won’t lie if asked. Says Sweetin: “I’ve been really open about what I’ve gone through in general, so if they ask me about it, I’ll be open with them, too. I don’t think there’s any reason to hide it. It’s nothing I’m ashamed of. But just like with various people my own age, I’m not just going to go out of my way to talk about it with my kids.”

The Pros of Withholding Past Drug Addiction from Kids

There’s something to be said about protecting children from the scary things in life – at least to some degree – while they are still little. With two daughters under the age of 5, it’s doubtful that Sweetin’s daughters would understand an addiction confession at this point, or at any point in the next 8 to 10 years.

When they reach puberty, however, it is likely that they will ask. A little digging into their mother’s history will reveal her past to them swiftly and it’s likely that questions will arise as a result. The fact that she won’t lie will likely be a benefit to them, giving them the opportunity to hear about the horrors of addiction firsthand from someone who experienced it.

The Consequences of Withholding Past Drug Addiction Info from Kids

If children find out that a parent used to abuse drugs or lived with an active drug addiction and lied about it, it certainly won’t end well. While there are benefits to protecting children for a time, parents can’t allow embarrassment about their past stop them from being honest. Lying only causes more problems if a child suspects or finds out from other sources and the mistrust that develops can create even more problems for the child.

What do you think? Is it a good idea for parents with past drug addiction problems to share that information with children? Or should they keep it to themselves?

The number of residents in need of crystal meth addiction treatment is on the rise in Missouri, according to the latest reports. Some residents describe trying the drug for the first time with friends, while others say that they got their initial dose from an actively addicted parent. Most start with snorting the drug in bumps or lines, then move to smoking it and ultimately, shooting it, when the high no longer hits as hard as they would like.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety estimates that about 58,000 Missourians are actively addicted to drugs including crystal meth. About 7.5 percent of that 58,000 say that crystal meth or methamphetamine is their drug of choice.

Every year, the number of meth labs seized by law enforcement in Missouri increases. In fact, every year for the past decade, Missouri has come in at number one in the country with more meth lab seizures than any other state.

Steadily, the number of people seeking treatment for crystal meth addiction treatment at Missouri drug rehab centers has increased as well. Just less than 4400 people sought treatment at a crystal meth rehab last year through November, according to the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Compared to the 146 people admitted for crystal meth addiction in 1993, that’s a huge change – but it’s been higher. In 2005, the number of methamphetamine related admissions to drug rehab was higher than 6000, just before the federal government restricted the sale of over-the-counter pseudoephedrine with the Combat Meth Act.

Bob Bax is the director of public affairs for the Department of Mental Health. He says: “We know that methamphetamine use is a serious problem and all treatment programs must be prepared to help those with this addiction. Treatment success is more likely when services focus on the individual person’s needs and recovery means a return to work, stable housing, better relationships and less criminal activity.”

Crystal meth addiction is a bit different to treat than addictions to some other drugs. In some ways, it is more difficult because addicts often relapse after months of sobriety. The cycle of cravings is much longer, leading the addict and everyone around them to believe that they are stable in their recovery when, in actuality, they could relapse any day. If not careful, that relapse could easily turn back into a full-blown addiction if it’s not handled immediately.

If you would like to learn more about the crystal meth rehab program available at Michael’s House, contact us today. We can help you to fight the cycle of cravings and relapse that often plagues those who are living with methamphetamine addiction. Call now for more information.

It’s a common response among those in recovery for any drug, including crystal meth: “It’s not my fault!” Many patients believe that they shouldn’t be held accountable for their actions if they didn’t intend the outcome that resulted – though most absolutely believe that everyone else should, especially if they suffered due to someone else’s choices. Here are some common excuses that people use for bad decisions during crystal meth addiction treatment and tips on how to take responsibility gracefully.

Excuses: Avoiding Responsibility for Your Choices During Crystal Meth Addiction Recovery

Most people who make excuses for their behavior blame their own actions on the actions of another. They claim that someone provoked them into their poor response or brought it on themselves. “If she would have stopped nagging me, I wouldn’t have….” When a person isn’t responsible for the patient’s behavior, a common claim is that they were powerless due to an outside influence: “I had a bad day,” or “There’s never any money.”

Others justify their behavior by saying that it was necessary or that they had no other choice. “She hit me first,” or “There was nothing else I could do.” Other common justifications include minimizing the behavior itself or its results: “She’s overreacting. I barely touched her.” Or “It hardly ever happens. It’s not that big a deal.”

Tips to Take Responsibility for Your Actions During Crystal Meth Addiction Recovery

If any of those excuses sound familiar, there are actionable things you can do to start taking responsibility for your behavior. They include:

• Take care of yourself. If you are not tired, hungry or already upset about something else, you’ll be more clearheaded in moments of stress that may result in poor decisions.
• Build a strong support system. Feeling isolated or cornered is a common cause of acting out and making rash decisions. If you feel that you have a strong support system behind you, you will be more likely to remain calm and avoid bad behavior.
• Commit to making the necessary changes. You know that it’s not okay – how you’ve been behaving of the excuses you make for yourself. Make the commitment to yourself that you don’t want to be that kind of person any more, that integrity is your new goal.
• Choose positive relationships and environments in your life. If you feel pressured to be something you’re not or uncomfortable in certain situations or with certain people, seek out those who accept you the way you are and environments in which you feel strong and relaxed.
• No when to say ‘no.’ If you are continually doing things you don’t want to do, you will build up resentments that are liable to explode at the worst moment. Create boundaries and stick to them, giving yourself the room you need to take care of yourself.

What are your tips for taking responsibility for your actions? Do you have a story about how your actions almost threatened your crystal meth addiction recovery?  Or how taking responsibility saved you from relapse?

There’s been another professional casualty due to the Contra Costa County drug task force debacle.  Stephen Tanabe, a Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputy recently resigned in the face of accusations that he set up DUI busts to ruin the reputations of men who wound up on a dirty private investigator’s bad side. That alleged dirty private investigator is Chris Butler, currently accused of being the right hand man to drug ring operator and former head of the drug task force, Norman Wielsch.

Norman Wielsch was arrested recently for stealing drugs confiscated in drug busts, drugs like crystal meth, marijuana and steroids, among others.

Tanabe was officially arrested for “possession and transfer of an assault rifle and conspiracy to possess and sell controlled substances.” The investigation into the drug ring run by Butler and Wielsch is ongoing.

What the Investigation Means to Previous Drug Investigations

Unfortunately, the suspect and illegal dealings of those involved in the current investigation calls into question the results of hundreds of other cases run by the task force in Contra Costa County. Officials are angry and many are gearing up for cases that attempt to overthrow their convictions in light of the new information. Police misconduct is one of the most common reasons for overturned convictions and drug arrests that get thrown out of court before they result in conviction or sentencing. In this case, the flood gates have not yet opened and likely won’t until convictions of the arrestees are obtained. Given the steady flow of new information, arrests and resignations, convictions likely won’t be long in coming. Though none are guilty until proven innocent, the word is that many are planning their own cases based on the outcome.

Do You Have Confidence in Law Enforcement Officials?

It should be pointed out that while cases like these get a host of media attention, the very reason they are so starkly highlighted is that they don’t happen all the time. If corruption were an everyday occurrence, the media wouldn’t spend so much time on it. Thousands of law enforcement officials do their jobs honorably and have a true desire to stop drug trafficking as much as possible and help those who want to fight their own issues with drug addiction.

Unfortunately, the public doesn’t always agree. What do you think? Do you trust law officials to do the right thing when it comes to victims of drug addiction and drug sales arrests? Or do you feel that most law enforcement professionals don’t earn the trust of the public?

A crystal meth addiction intervention takes a little bit of advance planning, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you take it step by step. Here’s what to do before, during and after a crystal meth addiction treatment to make it as successful as possible for your loved one.

Before a Crystal Meth Addiction Intervention

Before the crystal meth addiction intervention, you have a few things to decide:

• Who you will include in the intervention
• Where and when you will hold it
• Who will run the intervention (you, another friend or family member, or a professional interventionist)

After you decide who will be involved in the intervention, you can hold a meeting to decide the other details in order to ensure that the time and place works for everyone’s schedule. You can also determine who will run the intervention then, as well.

It is common for each participant to make a brief, nonjudgmental statement to the addict in question. This is usually an anecdote that demonstrates how the crystal meth addiction hurt the addict of hurt the speaker. At the planning meeting, you can decide who will speak, help them understand the focus and goal of what they are going to say and determine in what order people will share.

During a Crystal Meth Addiction Intervention

Your biggest goal during a crystal meth addiction intervention is to maintain order and help keep the emotional responses in check. Many feel that they are too close to the situation to hold an objective stance throughout the process. In this case, a professional interventionist may be the best choice.

Either way, you need to determine how you will end the intervention. Most finish the event by saying, “It is clear that crystal meth addiction is a problem, and that you need treatment. I can’t stand by and watch you do this to yourself anymore. If you don’t choose crystal meth rehab, then….” Fill in the blank with what you will do to distance yourself from your loved one and their addiction and stop enabling them to continue without treatment.

After a Crystal Meth Addiction Intervention

You have one job after the intervention: follow through. If you said that your loved one needed to choose crystal meth rehab or find a new place to live, then you need to stand by that. If you said you would file for divorce if your loved one didn’t get help, then do that at your next opportunity. Waiting only gives the impression that things don’t need to change and that’s the last message you want to send when your life and the life of the person you love are at stake.

Tips to Plan a Successful Crystal Meth Addiction Intervention

• Pack a bag for your loved one prior to the intervention so that they can leave immediately for treatment if they opt for help.
• Hire a professional interventionist. They’ll not only run the event but escort your loved one to treatment.
• Prepare yourself for anything. There are no guarantees that your loved one will accept help, so be prepared for any outcome and follow through on your promise.

If you would like to learn more about our crystal meth rehab, contact us at The Canyon today.

It is estimated that 78 percent of all drug and alcohol rehab centers are outpatient programs and that 12 percent provide inpatient addiction treatment. Whether you opt for inpatient crystal meth rehab or outpatient crystal meth addiction treatment, the goals of the program should be the same: biopsychosocial stabilization when you first enter treatment, lifestyle reconstruction, and lapse and relapse prevention.

Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment Goal: Biopsychosocial Stabilization

The first step before in-depth care can begin, it is necessary to stabilize the patient after long-term drug abuse. Any withdrawal symptoms or physical illness associated with recent crystal meth abuse or any flare-ups due to untreated psychological disorders must be addressed before anything else. If there are medical issues due to crystal meth abuse (dental care is often needed among crystal meth patients), then that must be attended to as well. Transmissible diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C will need to be stabilized as well – it is estimated that 20 percent of crystal meth addicts who smoke the drug and 70 percent of those who inject the drug have Hepatitis C, yet many don’t know it until they go to crystal meth rehab. When all of these issues are addressed, it is time to move onto the next goal of crystal meth addiction treatment.

Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment Goal: Lifestyle Reconstruction

Crystal meth addiction is often deeply engrained in the patient’s identity and this is an issue that must be addressed in treatment or the patient will always end up returning to regular drug use. There are women who feel that they need the drug to maintain their weight loss, “tough guys” who feel they need to maintain their criminal image, students and professionals who feel they can’t excel without the stamina provided by the drug and gay men who feel that their sexuality is entwined with crystal meth abuse. Addressing the psychological issues underpinning those convictions and helping the patient to find new ways of achieving their goals or reorganizing their identity is a big part of effective treatment, especially when crystal meth is the drug of choice.

Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment Goal: Lapse and Relapse Prevention

The first two goals are in basic service to the final goal of crystal meth addiction treatment: to help the patient avoid lapsing and, ultimately, relapsing back into their old drug addiction patterns when they leave crystal meth rehab. This can mean direct educational classes that offer step-by-step instructions on how to recognize the physical and psychological signs of relapse followed by specific ways to avoid succumbing to the compulsion to use crystal meth. Personal therapy with a psychiatrist or therapist, group counseling sessions, and a range of experiential therapies can all aid in providing the patient with the tools he or she needs to heal the wounds that they were formerly attempting to mend with drug addiction.

Find Crystal Meth Addiction Treatment

If you would like to begin a crystal meth addiction treatment program that will provide you with the care you need to create real change in your life, call us today. We can help.