(888) 576-3999How To Get Started With Teen Drug Rehab
Being a teenager is complicated to say the least. While bodies (and brains) develop, kids begin to experience a wider range of emotions and may not know how to cope with them. Unfortunately, some of our children turn to substances to cope. If your child has developed an addiction, here’s how to get started with teen drug rehab.
What Is Substance Addiction?
An addiction to drugs or alcohol is a disorder where a person has a compulsion to use and seek a substance to function normally. People who suffer from addiction often desire the substance even though the substance proves to be harmful to the user and possibly those around them. This type of addiction is considered both a mental illness, originating from the nervous system, and brain disorder–or neuropsychiatric disorder–which impairs the user’s ability to emotionally cope, function in day-to-day activities, and learn.
How Does Substance Abuse Affect Teenage Brain?
Because a teen’s brain is not fully developed, there is a greater chance for consequences if they use substances. And because a teen’s ability to govern emotions and impulses is not fully developed either, they are susceptible to becoming easily influenced and to take risks which may lead to more substance use and recklessness. When a kid, whose brain is not fully developed, uses drugs or alcohol, they increase their chances of having social development issues, cognitive loss, and developing an addiction to substance. Teens who have a family history of substance abuse, who start using at an early age, who are in an environment where substances are the norm, or who suffer from mental disorders are most vulnerable to developing an addiction.
What Is Teen Drug Rehab?
Teen substance abuse rehab is a treatment intended to help teenagers recover from their dependence on substances or addiction to substances.
Before a teen joins rehab, they will need to detox. This will rid the body of the addictive substances in their systems and allow the child to have a clearer mind for therapy. Next, the teen may have 1:1 sessions with a substance abuse specialist before joining the rehab. The detox and screening will determine if the teen needs inpatient or outpatient care. In inpatient care, a teen will be kept and monitored in a facility for the duration of their treatment. In outpatient care, a teen will visit a rehab facility afterschool or on weekends. Both types of care include individual therapy, teen drug rehab, and educational exercises and programs.
How To Start
You will first have to confront your teen about their substance use problem. Although it may be uncomfortable to tell your kid that you know they use substances, it is best to air it out. You will need to approach this conversation with empathy and a place of calmness so that they hopefully feel safe to disclose their substance use, and if successful, cooperate with your next step to join rehab. If they resist, ask them why they don’t want to get help. You can counter each argument with positive reinforcement to show them that you have their best interest in mind. Ultimately, reassure them that you are on their side and want what is best for them. If this fails, you may need to take control and can give them an ultimatum and admit them to the rehab without their approval.
To ensure that your child has the best care, do a bit of research. A rehab program should be able to tailor to your teen’s specific needs whether it be the issues they face, their cultural background, their gender and sexuality identity. Kids with substance addiction benefit most from rehab when their parents are involved in the treatment so see how you can be part of the process. Programs with continuing care may also decrease relapse as they help patients reintegrate into society and keep them accountable with consistent meetings.
Why Insight Recovery?
Insight substance abuse treatment provides dual diagnosis for teens to guarantee they will be put on a suitable treatment plan. The intensive drug and alcohol outpatient program for teens in Los Angeles creates individualized treatment plans to meet goals and offers parents with a support group for best results.
To get more information call (888) 295-9995.