I was a teenager in Jesus America

I grew up in Jesus, America. It was perfect if you wanted to drink beer and watch football, but as for great live music, my friends and I suffered. Don’t get me wrong, The Flaming Lips are fantastic, but they didn’t count. They lived downtown. We needed someone, anyone to bring it on down home and rarely, if ever did it happen. I made a promise to myself during those years that if I ever had the opportunity to see my heroes on a regular basis that I would let nothing stand in my way. When I moved to Los Angeles in 2001, I was ecstatic. Every Thursday the Weekly would have pages and pages of new show announcements. What a world I would create!

Fast-forward 3 years and I was bottoming out in the big ‘ol city barely hanging on to my sanity and sleeping mostly in my car. The party was over. Thankfully, I was able to admit that it was over and through the 12 steps I got sober. One of the many uncountable gifts of my recovery is that after all these years I am able to finally see those musicians I used to play air-guitar to in my bedroom. I know it seems small, but its my favorite thing. Some people knit afghans. I love live music. Thanks Bill W.

Crystal Meth Popular Among Teens

Crystal Meth has become one of the most popular street drugs among teens today. It is inexpensive and easy to make. Made with over the counter products, crystal Meth is manufactured in street laboratories. Because it is so easy to make and inexpensive, it has the potential for widespread teen abuse. Crystal Meth is extremely dangerous to make. Manufacturing the drug can result in fires and explosions. According to the DEA, in 2004 27 people died in Meth lab accidents. Three of which were children. Crystal Meth has also been referred to as Ice,Meth "glass" and just Crystal. It is an odorless crystalline powder that is bitter-tasting and dissolves in water and alcohol. Side effects for teenagers on Meth can include but are not limited to loss of appetite and increase in activity. The effects can last anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. After the initial "high" or "rush" coming down from Meth can bring a state of high agitation and in some cases violent behavior. Long term side effects of use cam also include insomnia, seizures, brain damage, uncontrollable anxiety or rage, stroke, twitching, impaired speech, malnutrition and eventually possible death. Research into teen Meth addiction and the process of recovery from Crystal Meth has proved to have many components. Not only does the teen addict need to recover physically, but emotionally, mentally and physically as well. Twelve step recovery programs prove to be key elements in recovering from addiction to teen Crystal Meth addiction.

Teenagers Recovering from Addiction

Adolescents entering early recovery (0-9 months) should attend regular young peoples alcoholics anonymous and young peoples narcotics anonymous 12 step support groups. Young people support groups meet the needs for adolescents struggling to find acceptance, direction and understanding during the early stages of recovery. Adolescents should always be monitored by responsible adults while attending 12 step related recovery groups.