Watch video

Testimonial

Listen to what our clients say about The Canyon.



Follow The Canyon

Stay in touch with The Canyon on Facebook and Twitter. We love to be social. Come join us!


Contact Us

If you prefer, fill out the following form and a counselor will get back to you.





Do you want us to verify your insurance
benefits? Yes No

All information is considered
private and confidential.

877-714-1319
Heroes in Recovery

Success Stories

The generosity of the staff and peacefulness of the surroundings has given me a serenity and safety I had never experienced before." - Don

More Success Stories

News and Events

Click here to read "Addressing the Complexities of Chronic Pain," by Dr. James Gagne, an internist at The Canyon. The article was published in Marin Medicine Magazine. (This link is provided solely for educational purposes.)

 

Photo Gallery

Click here to see more photos

What Parents Should Know About Methamphetamine Use

According to the annual Monitoring the Future study, the use of methamphetamine among teenagers in 8th through 12th grades has steadily increased since the year 2000. Not just an urban problem, methamphetamine is especially popular in rural areas as it is most often manufactured in illicit, out-of-the-way labs. Even students who perform well in school and are involved in extracurricular activities may indulge in methamphetamine as a way to stay awake to study or perform better in sports or on exams. Methamphetamine is also popular among teenage girls who are trying to lose weight as it increases the metabolism.

No matter what the reason for initial use, methamphetamine is highly addictive, and crystal meth addiction can destroy a person's life in just a few months of regular use. At The Canyon, we take methamphetamine addiction very seriously as well as any drug abuse among young adults. If you think that your teen is addicted to methamphetamine, The Canyon is here to help.

Methamphetamine: The Basics

Methamphetamine is a stimulant chemically similar to prescription amphetamines, though significantly stronger. Classified as a Schedule II drug, it is most often prescribed for obesity but only on a limited basis with no refills, which is why most methamphetamine on the street is manufactured in illegal meth laboratories. Be on the lookout for small clear plastic re-sealable bags about the size of a quarter with a white residue inside. Your teen may be injecting the drug, smoking it or snorting it, so associated paraphernalia may include needles, rolled up dollar bills, credit cards or IDs with white residue along the edges, or small cut pieces of plastic straws.

Even experimental use of methamphetamine is dangerous for teens because it is highly addictive. It works by stimulating the central nervous system and certain parts of the brain, making your teen unable to sleep or eat. Your teenager may stay awake for days and nights on end, seem to be highly focused on projects and more motivated, more talkative and more emotional than usual. Extended use can lead to irritability and paranoia, dangerous weight loss, and sallow and sagging skin. A condition called "speed psychosis" is common, in which your teen may become extremely paranoid of everyone and everything, including you.

Effects of Methamphetamine Use and Abuse

In addition to paranoid psychosis, methamphetamine can also damage brain cells that contain neurotransmitters called dopamine and serotonin. Because the drug releases large amounts of dopamine, a mood enhancing chemical, if your teenager uses the drug regularly, her brain will stop producing the chemical naturally which can lead to severe depression and even symptoms that are akin to those seen with Parkinson's disease.

Physical effects of methamphetamine after long-term use can be permanent and severe. They may include high blood pressure and an increased and/or irregular heart rate. Damage to blood vessels in the brain are common, an issue that can cause stroke immediately or later in life when exacerbated. Chronic conditions like anorexia begin during use and continue even after quitting the drug. Respiratory problems, cardiovascular collapse, cardiac arrest and death can also occur.

Street Names and Nicknames for Methamphetamine

Your teenager may use any one of a number of different street names or nicknames to refer to methamphetamine covertly. Some of the most common slang terms include:

  • Meth
  • Ice
  • Speed
  • Crank
  • Glass
  • Crystal

Getting Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment for Your Teenager at The Canyon

If your child is using methamphetamine, The Canyon can provide you with a professional interventionist who will help you broach the subject of treatment with your teen and escort him or her to our facility here in Peace Park, nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains. We offer a wide range of therapeutic options and the ability to customize a treatment program to suit the needs of your teenager specifically. If you have questions about methamphetamine addiction and teenagers or if you would like to learn more about The Canyon's approach to crystal meth treatment, contact us today at .

Call 877.714.1319
If The Canyon isn't right for you, we'll find the place that is.