Adolescent Drug & Alcohol Treatment

With many teens going through some of the toughest times they've ever faced during adolescence, some turn to drugs and alcohol. Peer pressure is a cruel medium encouraging teens to experiment with drugs and alcohol, and before you know it a serious problem has developed. Successful treatment options do exist.

Recognition

• Before you can treat a drug and alcohol problem, it must first be recognized. There are a number of signs of a possible drug and alcohol problem, from difficulties at school and home, to noticeable physical changes like weight loss or the slowing of motor skills.

  Pay attention to who your teen spends time with and where they hang out. Another possible sign is an excessive amount of spending money, especially if the teenager doesn't have a regular job. This could indicate the teen is dealing drugs.

  If someone else in the household has a drug or alcohol problem, such as an older sibling, or even a parent, it could open the door for your teen.

Intervention

• Holding an intervention lets your teen know you are aware of their drug and/or alcohol problem, but that you also support them. Sit down with family and let them know you are planning an intervention. You may even be able to get someone from a local rehabilitation facility to sit in and talk to your teen about their program.

  Have everyone who will be sitting in on the intervention write a letter to the teenager, reinforcing their love and support. Have them each come up with a valid reason the teenager should get help.

  Realize that your teen will feel ambushed when she discovers the entire family has ganged up on her. Do not back down. Your support is essential to her treatment and full recovery.

Rehabilitation

• Before staging your intervention, meet with a representative at the local treatment facility to discuss your teen's rehabilitation. Your teen will begin by going through a detoxification program, and then be required to become a resident on site at the rehab facility. Medical and psychological professionals will work with your teen on understanding the nature of addiction and addictive behaviors.

  Provide a strong support system for your teen while he is recovering from addiction. While you may be angry with him for making bad choices, it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes. Forgiveness will help heal rifts and break down barriers that may have kept your teen from communicating with you in the past.

  Find out before you commit your child to a program whether the facility has a family therapy program. It is imperative that the entire family be involved in the process and take part in counseling. Problems with addiction often begin with the familial unit. Family lifestyle changes are essential to healing the overall problem.

Outpatient and Aftercare Recovery

• It is not always easy to alter one's circumstances, even after going through an intensive rehabilitation program. Teens may be exposed to events, people and circumstances that make it hard for them to resist the temptation to begin using drugs again.

  Outpatient and aftercare programs provide young people with counseling and support, as well as a place to go during times they might find themselves exposed to drugs or alcohol. Continual support from family and outreach programs will help keep kids on track after they have finished with treatment and rehabilitation.