Does Rehab Work for Teens?

Needing drug rehab for teens is a common request. The number of young people battling substance use disorders continues to grow. This staggering fact raises concerns about options of drug rehab for teens. This is not to say that substance use is a new challenge in this demographic. However, our youth’s current social environment and expectations further enhance the struggles of these critical times. These struggles lead some younger people to display risky behaviors. Some of these behaviors could eventually lead to legal trouble, intervention, medical treatment, and other adverse outcomes, luckily there are many rehab centers for teens available. If you are looking for rehab treatment for a teenager, or just need more in formation, call (706)480-8733. We have a team of experts ready to help you. Get your teenager on the path to sobriety today.

Understanding How to Help Struggling Adolescents and Young Adults

It’s proven that peer pressure is a significant contributor to the crisis. Nevertheless, recent studies found a link between well-designed home life and a supportive family that can help those at risk to never use. This also seems to be a critical factor in determining if an adolescent who has been through an inpatient drug rehab facility for teens will follow through with the outlined treatment. The Journal of Applied and Preventive Psychology published this study that shows teens who complete treatment at a juvenile drug rehabilitation center are more likely to stay sober if they have a support system after treatment. Ultimately, they display better functioning, academic involvement, and have better interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being.

Teens and Young Adults are Susceptible to Substance Use

The transition in this time of our lives leaves teens more vulnerable to substance use. Along with new academic expectations that come with high school, adolescents may also face other challenges. Challenges such as struggles with their own identity, finding friends, following trends, and many other issues that may seem trivial. However, to a struggling teen, might be the leading factor in them turning to a substance.

These challenges, coupled with the fact that teens may be exposed to readily available drugs, thus normalize the use of drugs. Such interactions are usually the result of one trying to find where they fit in the hierarchy of new peer groups. The use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances only exacerbates these challenges and can lead them to a rehab facility for teens.

It has also been found that when young adults go off to college, they may be at risk of the same challenges. Leading us to the question of what interventions, treatment, and rehab may look like for these teens. If a loved one, or you, are struggling with substance abuse call us today. We are here to help you stop this habit and start a healthier life.

Recognizing the Issue

One of the significant signs to watch out for is drastic changes in attitude for no reason. These signs are often overlooked due to them being associated with puberty. Other things to watch for include:

• Change of Friends
• Lack of regard toward their appearance
• Declining Academics
• Cutting class
• Lack of passion for hobbies
• Change in appetite and sleep habits
• Loss of connection with family and long-time friends

As a parent, if you are noticing these in your teen, it may be time to step in and have a conversation. As a peer or colleague of a young adult, if you feel someone you know may be experiencing these issues or have expressed concerns about their substance use, it might be the time to step in and help them find their path to recovery at a teen drug rehab facility. If you recognize the signs of substance abuse, call us today. We will help you figure out the next best steps for you.

Understanding How YOU Can Help

Strengthening Your Relationship With Your Teenager

As the expression goes, it’s how we ask, not what we ask, that usually determines the response we get. Rather than using accusatory language, we should express interest and concern towards the previously mentioned challenging situations many of these folk’s face. Thus, it ultimately helps us strengthen our relationship with the individual that may be struggling.

Some things to keep in mind when communicating with your teen in instances like this are:

• Stay engaged and focused.
• Display a sense of acceptance and understanding.
• Be kind and respectful.
• Reduce distractions.
• Focus on the good.
• Diminish negative reactions.

It is no secret youth feel more comfortable bringing issues and situations to their guardians when they feel listened to, rather than when they feel blamed for the problem. That is why developing a healthy line of communication is essential. Ultimately, building this bond of trust and respect will encourage them in their treatment and continued sobriety.

Encourage Positive Behavior

When more emphasis is put on mistakes and their lack of judgment, it can lead young people to feel uncertain. This can cause diminished confidence, lowered self-esteem, and even a decrease in the sense of self. All of which can lead folks who might be struggling to turn to a substance. Instead, it is important to focus on the positive and champion conducive behavior.

The use of encouragement will help to build a sense of teamwork and cooperation and a newfound sense of optimism, reducing further conflict and negativity. Allowing them to:

• Find new healthy coping skills.
• Engage in new activities.
• Build more appropriate peer relationships.
• Face Adversity

Ultimately encouragement is key to building confidence and a strong sense of self. It also helps parents to promote cooperation and reduced conflict. Many people who find success later in life often remember the encouragement of a mentor early in life. This consistent support system will help them to feel good about themselves, ultimately leading to a stronger sense of confidence.

Creating Consistent Guidelines and Boundaries

Setting clear expectations regarding the behavior you deem acceptable for your child is key to establishing these guidelines. This consistency is especially important for those who may be following a treatment plan.

These guidelines work best when created in collaboration. When both the teen and parent can brainstorm ideas, then evaluate all the ideas they come up with together, ultimately creating a concise outline of both parties’ expectations.

Furthermore, it is important to establish clear boundaries of communication between you and your teen. Some questions to consider for yourself in the time leading up to brainstorming are:

• Are you willing to lie for your child?
• Are you willing to sacrifice your needs for the wants of your child?
• What level of substance use are you willing to accept, if any?
• How do you expect to be treated by your child?

However, creating these guidelines and setting boundaries is not enough. Following up on them is vital. As checking in reinforces them in your child’s mind. If through the course of establishing these guidelines, either of you finds the need to adjust, that is okay. It is important to remember that we stay flexible and understand creating a healthy environment in which our youth feel encouraged to communicate positively.

Creating these types of guidelines will allow them too:

• Try new activities.
• Tackle different tasks.
• Develop new friendships.
• Explore their creativity.
• Focus on solutions rather than problems.
• Think through possible outcomes of behavior.
• Develop communication skills.

Ultimately helping them too develop better functioning, academic involvement, and have better interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being skills.

Linking Self-Esteem to Substance Abuse

Self-esteem issues have long been linked to the use of substances as a coping mechanism among the youth.

However, the weight it holds on treatment is still unclear. This study found that self-esteem and the degree of satisfaction with social support during treatment were negatively correlated with significant life problems during the six months following discharge.

Altogether, inpatient measures of self-esteem, number of high-quality supports, and social support satisfaction accounted for sixteen percent of the variance in six-month substance use outcomes and twenty-five percent of the variation in psychosocial functioning six months following treatment. Finally, it’s found Six-month social support and self-esteem measures were similarly related to this outcome at one year’s time.

As discussed, well-designed home life and a supportive family could not only help those at risk never to use. It also seems to be a critical factor in determining if an adolescent who has been through treatment will follow through with the outlined treatment.

Although Self-esteem is an apparent factor leading many teens to use, more research is needed to understand the weight it bears on recovery. If you need more information about talking to a teenager about rehab, then call us today. Our team is ready to assist you in bettering the life of a teen.

Prioritizing Self-Care

Although creating a clear plan of communication is a vital step in your teen’s treatment. It is also essential to take time out for oneself. This act of making your needs a priority is known as self-care. And it is a vital tool for parents with children battling substance use disorders.

Caring for your teen’s needs during extended periods of turmoil comes with an enormous amount of stress. The stress can cause burnout when exposed for prolonged periods.

It may also lead to several physical and mental health ailments such as depression, obesity, heart disease, memory loss, and a whole list of other complications.

That is why you should not feel guilty in taking time out for yourself once in a while. Helping your child navigate their treatment is no easy task, and you need to be at your best to ensure you provide the utmost care during your child’s times of need.

Key Takeaways

The staggering fact that the number of youths battling substance use disorders only continues to grow makes clear a need to understand what treatment for them might look like at a drug rehab center for teens.

Their current social environment and expectations only further exacerbate the struggles they experience during these monumental times. Thus, making it clear that our involvement in their development during this time is critical. Therefore, if you notice your teen is struggling or think they could benefit from having this type of conversation now might be the time to do so.

Hopefully, after reading this article, some of the tips outlined will help you navigate this conversation’s choppy waters. It is important to remember to keep an open mind and use positive language. Steer clear of any accusatory speech or derogatory remarks as these will only further the divide between you and your child if they are struggling. If you have decided to get help, then this is great news. We are happy to help you get started on a happier and healthier lifestyle. Give us a call today and let’s get started!

Sources:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0962184905801398
2. . https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/preventing-drug-use-among-children-adolescents/chapter-1-risk-factors-protective-factors/what-are-highest-risk
3. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/step-by-step-guides-to-finding-treatment-drug-use-disorders/if-your-teen-or-young-adult-has-problem-drugs/how-to-recognize-substance-use
4. https://drugabuse.com/guide-for-families/parents-of-addicted-children/