If your teen is battling substance abuse, you may need to start looking into teen drug rehab centers in your area. Getting addiction treatment for your teenager as soon as possible will be essential for getting them on the right path.
Treating substance abuse in adolescence can come with unique challenges, which is why you need to find the right rehab center. Taking this initial step will start the recovery process so that your teen can begin to recover and heal.
In this post, we explore when you should check your teen into a teen drug rehab center and how to choose the right one. We also discuss the different types of teen rehab programs and how they impact the recovery process.
When Should You Send Your Child to a Teen Drug Rehab Center?
Before we discuss everything you need to know about teen drug rehab centers, do you really need to enroll your child in a rehab center? This is an important question to ask yourself, especially if you are struggling to accept the situation as it is. For many parents, it can be very difficult to admit that their child is suffering from an addiction and needs professional help.
However, acknowledging the problem is the very first step toward recovery. Once you and your teen have accepted this, you can move forward with supporting them and getting them the treatment they need to recover. Sometimes, a compassionate intervention involving loved ones may be necessary to encourage your teen to seek help.
Here are some signs that it is time to check your child into a teen drug rehab center:
- They have stopped caring for themselves.
- They are having physical symptoms of addiction, such as weight loss or weight gain, tremors, and nosebleeds.
- They are becoming paranoid.
- Their mental health is declining, or their personality is changing.
- They are sleeping excessively or suffering from insomnia.
- They are isolating themselves.
- They have lost interest in activities and are neglecting their responsibilities.
What to Look For in Teen Drug Rehab Centers
If you have determined that your teenager needs to go to rehab, the next step is to find the right teen drug rehab facility. This can be harder than you may think, as there are many options available and several factors you need to take into consideration.
Here are some questions to ask regarding the care and type of treatment your teen will be getting:
- Does the facility take a holistic treatment approach that treats the whole person?
- Is family involvement encouraged throughout treatment, such as family therapy sessions?
- Will your adolescent be getting one-on-one treatment as well as group care?
- Do the addiction and mental health professionals specialize in treating teenagers specifically?
- Can the facility provide an integrated treatment approach that also treats mental illness?
- Does the facility provide developmentally appropriate programs?
- Is aftercare provided, as well as additional recovery resources for relapse prevention?
- Does the facility offer a variety of treatment programs tailored to teens’ needs?
Another thing you will need to consider before choosing a rehab facility is location, as you want it to be accessible. Facilities may offer a range of services, such as educational support, counseling, and therapeutic interventions. You also need to consider the cost of care and whether you can use payment methods such as installment plans, health insurance, or financial assistance.
How to Choose the Right Teen Rehab Treatment Program
Once you have chosen from the many teen drug rehab centers available, you need to choose an addiction treatment program. There are many different types of programs available that specialize in different areas for adolescents.
Here are some of the main things to consider regarding your teen’s needs and recovery goals.
Inpatient Vs. Outpatient
One of the biggest decisions you will need to make regarding a rehab treatment program for your teen is inpatient versus outpatient programs. Inpatient programs require them to live within the facility for the duration of their program. In contrast, outpatient programs provide more flexibility, such as spending a few hours in the evening attending group therapy sessions.
Inpatient treatment provides a more immersive experience, while outpatient treatment allows them to still maintain certain lifestyle obligations, such as attending school. For more serious cases where your child will be going through withdrawals, inpatient treatment is usually much safer, as they will be under the supervision of medical professionals. This is because medically managed detox is often the first step to safely and comfortably remove substances from the body before moving on to counseling and therapy.
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best option will depend on your teen’s situation and their specific recovery needs.
Length of Stay
Another thing to look into is how long the teen drug rehab program will last. Inpatient programs typically have a specific length of stay, while outpatient programs may not be as strict.
During the admission process, a comprehensive assessment is typically conducted to determine the appropriate level of care and to develop a personalized treatment plan for your teen. It may be that a short-term intensive outpatient program is enough to support your loved one, or biweekly group therapy programs. That said, outpatient services may not be enough — staying at a long-term, 90-day residential treatment center may be the best option to treat drug abuse in your teenager.
Don’t forget to consider programs such as aftercare and how it may contribute to the length of the actual program, which is important information for referrals and planning purposes.
Type of Addiction
Different types of addictions require different approaches, which may result in different recovery experiences. That is why it is so important to find a drug rehab program that is specific to the addiction your teen is struggling with, whether it involves drugs, alcohol, or other substances.
For instance, an alcohol addiction program may be more straightforward, but it is important to recognize that alcohol abuse can develop into alcoholism, which often requires specialized alcohol treatment. A more serious drug addiction may require something like medication-assisted treatment, including diagnoses such as opioid use disorder.
Remember: different rehab programs are designed to address different types of drugs and patterns of drug use among teens, ensuring that each individual’s needs are met.
Dual Diagnosis
Substance abuse is something that can often occur in combination with other types of disorders. This may look like other types of addictions or mental illness. These are often referred to as co-occurring disorders and should be treated in combination with substance abuse.
For example, anxiety and depression are common mental health conditions that often co-exist with substance use in teens. It is critical to seek education, therapy, and counseling that can address their feelings and physical symptoms at the same time.
If your child is exhibiting substance use issues that coincide with mental health concerns, it may be worth looking into dual diagnosis programs that address both at the same time.
Relapse Prevention
If this isn’t the first time you have sought out a teen drug rehab center for your child, you may need to look into a multiple relapse program. Multiple relapse programs are specifically designed for people who have relapsed in the past, as this significantly increases the risk of relapsing again in the future.
These programs often focus on relapse prevention strategies, as well as treating factors that could be contributing to said relapses.
Treatment Options
Not all services are designed alike. Some addiction treatment centers offer more luxury services than others, such as:
- Art therapy: This can help teens express and cope with their feelings and emotions, and support them in dealing with challenges they may face during recovery.
- Equine therapy: Uses horseback riding and caring for animals to develop life skills and reduce stress (similar to pet therapy).
- Religious services: May include bible studies, mindfulness programs, and other services for specific religions.
Enroll in a Teen Rehab Program at The Lakes Treatment Center
As a parent, it is your responsibility to lead your teen toward recovery and take that initial step toward getting your teen the help they need if they are suffering from an addiction. Even in adolescents, substance abuse is very serious and should never be brushed under the rug.
At The Lakes Treatment Center, all of our rehab programs focus on a holistic approach, treating the mind, body, and spirit. For example, we offer lake activities as part of our therapeutic services, in addition to therapy, group counseling, relapse prevention, and life skills training.
You can count on our team to:
- Involve the whole family and family members in the treatment process, emphasizing the importance of communication, support, and family visits to strengthen recovery.
- Offer support groups for other families going through similar challenges, so you and your loved ones can connect and learn from shared experiences.
- Provide evidence-based addiction treatment services such as MAT, CBT, and more.
Curious to learn about our family-centered treatment programs? Contact The Lakes Treatment Center to hear more about our services or browse our addiction resources online.
