Troubled Teens Resources

Schools for troubled teens had been discussed around the family table for over a month. Bill and Gale were torn between sending their son Tod, a recovering meth addict, to one of several well recommended troubled teen boarding schools or to allow him to stay in the school that he loved so much.

Tod had spent the last several months in an out patient rehab program for his meth addiction and had managed to stay clean. He had quit hanging out with the troubled teenagers who still encouraged him to get high and had made new friends. Bill and Gale felt that if they could find some additional support for their teen that they would feel more confident allowing him to remain at home.

Parents who are faced with a similar dilemma may want to investigate the many support groups available for meth addicts.CMA or Crystal Meth Anonymous is one such program that offers a 12 step formula.

“How is CMA different from other Twelve Step programs?
We have found that we relate best to other crystal meth addicts because they understand the darkness, paranoia and compulsions of this particular addiction. The Twelve Steps of CMA were adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. We do not believe we are better or worse than those in other Twelve Step programs. At the same time, many of us fail to fully identify with “a falling-down drunk” or, in the case of a heroin addict, “a nodding-off junkie.” The hyper-extended length and intensity of crystal meth’s effects, be it compulsive cleaning or sexual activity, were unique. Many of us have attended other Twelve Step programs, but the feeling of identification in the Rooms of CMA has helped us to keep coming back. After all, who but another meth addict understands the insanity that accompanies the high and, finally, that seemingly bottomless drop into depression that makes us desperate to use still more?”

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