Drug abuse among teenagers is, unfortunately, common. About 35 percent of all teens will have smoked marijuana before they leave high school, and prescription drug abuse is second in line. Teens are the number one abusers of prescription drugs, and the war on drugs continues in high school.
If you have a teen suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, it’s important to get them the help they need. An addiction specific treatment program is an excellent resource for helping your teen become well again.
But you shouldn’t choose just any recovery program. There are a few considerations to make when looking into treatment centers.
1. Location Close to Home
Finding care near friends and family is paramount to success. Oftentimes, teens struggle to assimilate back into society unless their family is closely involved in the treatment. Parents should be able to visit often, and teens should receive support from their friends and the community in order to overcome this addiction.
2. Drug-Specific Treatment
In some cases, your teen may be addicted to a variety of substances, but the addiction is most often prevalent with a single substance like heroin, prescription painkillers, or cocaine. If your teen has issues with a specific substance, such as cocaine, look for a treatment center that specializes in cocaine treatment.
3. Avoid Boot Camps
Many parents consider a boot camp or wilderness program to try to remove the influence of drugs from their teen’s life, especially if their teens also exhibit behavioral issues. However, it’s important to be careful with these programs. They’re often unregulated on the federal level, which means they may not have the professional medical psychological support needed to help your teen through this difficult time.
Additionally, they may participate in programs that involve abuse or neglect. Many of these bootcamps have been shut down for this reason. This kind of treatment is not only unlawful, but it can also worsen your teen’s condition.
4. Parent-Mentor Meetings
As mentioned previously, familial involvement is essential to a teen’s speedy and full recovery. For that reason, make sure that you can meet regularly with healthcare professionals, mentors, and others involved directly with your teen’s treatment program.
5. High Success Rate
It’s also important to ask about the success rate of the facility. Success rate is typically based on the teen’s ability to re-enter society and maintain their recovery goals. A great recovery program will offer at least a two-thirds success rate. Your teenagers still have their agency, but you want a program that is noted for success.
As a parent, drug addiction can be very scary. However, with the help of a great rehabilitation center, you can fight it and return to normalcy. Screen your options carefully and look for a program that will have the best result for your teen and family.
Originally posted on June 25, 2017 @ 9:34 am
