Meth Rehab: What Makes Treatment Different for Adolescents

The meth crisis in the U.S. and globally continues to grow, given the easy access and low cost of the drug manufactured in Mexico and underground labs in the U.S. In 2021, over 32,000 people died from an overdose involving psychostimulants other than cocaine (primarily methamphetamine), some of these included teens [1].  

Methamphetamine wreaks havoc on the teen brain and increases the risk of chronic, long-term psychiatric problems, including memory loss, restlessness, paranoia, and psychotic disorders. This is where the need for specialized rehab comes in.

Specialized treatment programs for meth use in teens focus on providing age-appropriate care tailored to the developmental needs of teens, often combining supervised detox, medication management, and behavioral therapies to address the roots of meth use and prevent relapse. 

What is Meth and Why Do Teens Use It? 

Methamphetamine (Meth) is a powerful synthetic stimulant with a high addiction potential. The FDA approves it for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it is classified as a Schedule II stimulant by the DEA and illegal when obtained illicitly from the street. 

Around 2.5 million Americans 12 years and older reported using meth in the past year, and 1.5 million struggled with a methamphetamine addiction. It has also been involved in over 30,000 deaths, many due to mixing meth with fentanyl or unknowingly ingesting an opioid, such as in a laced batch [2]. 

Although methamphetamine addiction is not as high among teens as the adult population, many may use meth unknowingly, seeking out its stimulating effects in party settings, mistaking it for cocaine or MDMA. Some of the other reasons teens use meth, either knowingly or unknowingly, include: 

• Academic stress and improved performance. Teens may abuse meth or other stimulants for increased alertness and as a “study drug”. 

• Self-medicate. Teens with undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety, or depression may use it to relieve symptoms. 

• Boost confidence. Meths’ stimulating effects temporarily reduce anxiety, which many teens use to increase feelings of control or anxiety relief, especially in social settings. 

• Weight loss.  Meth suppresses appetite, leading some teens to abuse it to control weight, especially if they already struggle with their body image. 

• Community influence. In some parts of the US, especially rural America, meth is cheap, readily available, and accessible. 

Other factors that contribute to meth use in teens include the presence of trauma, genetic influences, and family environment. For example, teens who grow up in the presence of methamphetamine and watch their parents or caregivers abuse the drug, are more likely to struggle with substance abuse problems in the future themselves. 

The Dangers of Meth Use for the Teen Brain and Health 

Meth is a recognized neurotoxin, and much of the illicit, lab-made meth is also cut with other harmful chemicals such as ammonia, red phosphorus, and lithium. This combination can be deadly to the developing brain and growing body. 

Structural Brain Damage

Meth is directly toxic to dopamine and serotonin neurons, increases oxidative stress, and causes changes in the structure of several brain regions. Research has found that chronic meth use is linked to the shrinkage of the hippocampus (crucial for forming new long-term memories, learning, spatial navigation, and emotional processing), and MRI studies found that meth users experienced faster, age-accelerated grey matter loss in the frontal, occipital, and temporal lobes [3]. 

Cognitive Decline and Executive Functioning 

Damage to the frontal lobe and prefrontal cortex affects several functions essential to development during adolescence, such as learning, memory, attention, focus, and problem-solving. One study found a significant deficit in the processing speed and short-term memory of adults who abused meth when they were younger [4]. 

Mental Health and Psychosis 

Meth-induced psychosis is a common problem among users, with 18% of active users reporting symptoms of paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. This can be especially risky for teens who are vulnerable to the development of psychiatric disorders. Meth use during development can greatly increase the risk of schizophrenia, depression, and suicidal ideation [5]. 

7 Signs of Meth Addiction in Adolescents 

Recognizing the warning signs of meth use in teens is the first step in getting them help. Teens who abuse other drugs, such as cocaine, MDMA, or cannabis, may be ingesting meth and not even know it. Below are the top seven signs of meth abuse and addiction in teens to watch out for. 

1. Sudden, rapid decline in appetite, and associated weight loss. Teens who abuse meth may have little to no hunger and suffer from muscle mass loss. 
2. Large, dilated pupils that are often bloodshot or looking around with a sense of fear or paranoia. They also may have bags under their eyes from lack of sleep.
3. Reckless, impulsive, and dangerous behavior. Teens who use meth often abuse other drugs such as alcohol, cannabis, or opioids. Teenage girls on meth are often involved in sexually abusive or exploitative relationships with older men [6]. 
4. Chaotic, wild energy, fast speech that is difficult to follow. 
5. Trouble focusing and academic decline. 
6. Lying, manipulation, stealing money, and trouble with the law. 
7. Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations. Users in meth addiction may be convinced they are being watched, followed, or stalked. 

Why Teens Need Specialized Meth Rehab Programs 

Meth is not an easily accessible drug among youth like alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine, and rates of use tend to be lower than other illicit drugs. However, its potency greatly increases the risk of developing a mental health disorder, overdose, and early death.

Teens who abuse meth are at a higher risk of becoming involved in property and violent crime, and more likely to be victims of sexual exploitation or struggle with severe mental illness. Meth addiction is linked to risky, and dangerous behaviors, and specialized treatment is often required to address the underlying roots that drive this, such as an untreated mental health problem or change in environment. 

Meth detox can also be difficult to achieve independently. Supervised detox is often needed to alleviate discomfort and manage the intensity of meth withdrawal symptoms, which include: 

• Fatigue, exhaustion
• Intense cravings
• Depression, anxiety 
• Irritability, aggression, mood swings 
• Headaches, muscle tension
• Inability to feel pleasure, suicidal ideation 
• Ongoing symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoid thinking and delusions 

If teens are abusing opioids combined with methamphetamine or other drugs or alcohol, the withdrawal timeline and symptoms can be further complicated with symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, or seizures. 

Long-Term Care and Preventing Meth Relapse in Teens 

After detox, teens should move into a residential rehab program where they receive around-the-clock support for at least a month to develop the coping skills to manage meth addiction and treat underlying mental health problems. 

Throughout this time, a clinical team of addiction specialists and youth mental health experts focuses on long-term care and personal strategies for relapse prevention. These often involve a combination of interventions that include: 

• Individual therapies that help teens understand their triggers for drug use, develop positive coping strategies, and set goals for long-term treatment. 

• Group therapies foster a safe space where teens can hear from others in similar situations, sparking accountability and growth. 

• Family therapies and home-based interventions address environments in the home that can drive addiction and improve dynamics related to communication, respect, and boundaries. 

• Recreational activities provide a sober, fun experience for teens to connect with others in recovery. High-adrenaline activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, and biking can be particularly helpful for teens recovering from stimulant addiction, offering them a healthier outlet to release energy.  

Compassionate and Tailored Care for Teenage Drug Addiction in TX 

Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health facilities in Texas committed to helping teens recover from behavioral addictions, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. Our licensed and accredited facilities are dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care and education for parents and caregivers of youth. 

We provide a combination of evidence-based treatments for teens recovering from meth addiction and other stimulants, and have several levels of care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP).  Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your teen. 

Sources 

[1] CDC. 2023. National Center for Health Statistics.Mortality Data on CDC WONDER. 

[2] Compton, M. et al. (2022). Methamphetamine use in the United States: epidemiological update and implications for prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1508(1), 3–22.

[3] London, D. et al. (2004). Structural abnormalities in the brains of human subjects who use methamphetamine. The Journal of neuroscience: the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 24(26), 6028–6036.

[4] London, D. et al. (2018). Cognitive deficit in methamphetamine users relative to childhood academic performance: link to cortical thickness. Neuropsychopharmacology: official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 43(8), 1745–1752.

[5] Mooney, L. (2014). Methamphetamine psychosis: epidemiology and management. CNS drugs, 28(12), 1115–1126.

[6] Barron, N. et al. 2015. Live to tell: Narratives of methamphetamine-using women taken hostage by their intimate partners in San Diego, CA. International Journal of Drug Policy.