An Introduction
Teen substance abuse is by no means a new problem; how society is dealing with the issue, however, isn’t helping. Instead of focusing on preventative measures, such as rehabilitation and identifying and treating underlying issues, people simply focus on which drugs cause the most harm.
In order to effectively fight substance abuse, you must treat the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of the disease. This is not an easy process, and addicts remain in recovery for the rest of their lives. That’s why choosing the right rehab program is so important. It provides the patient with the proper foundation to achieve and maintain sobriety.
Why Do Teenagers Do Drugs?
There are many reasons why teenagers choose to abuse drugs. No individual is the same, which is why it’s so important to identify and treat the cause as well as the abuse.
Common reasons to abuse drugs:
- Issues at home, including divorce, mental or physical abuse, or economic hardship
- Self-image issues, such as poor self-esteem
- Peer group influences
- Sexual abuse
The most common signs of possible substance abuse:
- Frequent lying, including about one’s whereabouts
- Lack of communication and secretive behavior
- Poor grades and/or attendance in school
- Legal trouble
- Relationship issues
- Stealing
- Isolation from family and friends
The Substance Abuse Treatment Process for Teens
Teens are at a critical developmental stage mentally, physically and emotionally, which makes the process of choosing a teen substance abuse treatment center even more important. Ideally, the drug treatment center you choose will provide psychological and medical treatment for teens who cannot stop abusing drugs or alcohol on their own.
The program must help patients understand the problems associated with drug use and allow the individual to stop the abuse on his own terms. Teen rehab is a process that must be followed carefully in order to successfully treat addiction. Here are the common steps that occur during treatment:
Withdrawal - Teens must first rid their bodies of potential drugs and toxins through a process known as drug detoxification. The length of this process varies depending on the frequency and strength of the abused substance, and it’s common to experience withdrawal symptoms during detox, including anxiety, depression, chills/sweats and mood swings. These withdrawal symptoms can sometimes lead to relapse. That’s why it’s crucial that detox occur under the supervision of a qualified, experienced team at a teen substance abuse treatment facility.
Counseling – The next step in the recovery process includes both group and individual counseling, which will provide a safe place for individuals to express their feelings. This phase is crucial for identifying the root cause of the patient’s need to abuse drugs or alcohol.
Aftercare – This is when patients learn how to manage their substance abuse problem outside of treatment. Naturally, this is a critical part of the recovery process, as it provides teens with the resources they need to avoid relapse.
Choosing the Right Treatment Program for Your Child
This isn’t an easy choice, nor should it be. Ultimately, you must choose the rehab program that you feel is most suited to care for your teen’s needs. There are a few factors you should look for, however, that will give you a better idea of whether or not a facility is right for your child. The programs with the best recovery processes include:
- Physical and psychological care, including counseling and detox
- Counseling sessions to identify the root cause of substance abuse and addiction
- Family-involved treatment, which is beneficial for both the patient and loved ones
- Communication with family during the treatment
- Support groups that provide inspiration
- Progress reports to keep everyone on the same page
New Beginnings: The Most Effective Teen Substance Abuse Treatment Facility
Each and every teenager has different lives they live, as well as different experiences with drugs and alcohol, and from these life experiences, their way of life, addiction and recovery, is greatly influenced. This means that every teen’s recovery from drug addiction is different.
New Beginnings’ adolescent substance abuse treatment will allow teens to feel comfortable during the recovery process through programs that are focused specifically for teens. There are inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs. There are different programs for rehab that focus solely on the issue of addiction, but with a New Beginnings diagnosis, the appropriate treatment program will be selected with the help of the family.
Our foundation is rooted in the 12-steps. We utilize and integrate a variety of clinical models, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy and rational emotive behavior therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness exercises
- Expressive therapy (i.e. music, art, sand tray)
- Adventure-based therapy (i.e. ropes course)
- Experiential and trauma work (i.e. psychodrama and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
- Intensive family work