Adolescent Drug Rehab 101

It’s every parent’s nightmare: that the child they once held in their arms as a baby might someday get involved, possibly addicted, to drugs and/or alcohol. 

If you find yourself struggling to deal with a son or daughter who has a substance abuse problem, and have considered the option of adolescent drug rehab, you might have questions. Such as how does it work, what is it, what do I do next?

Here are three frequently asked questions about adolescent drug rehab to help you navigate this confusing process and get that young person in your life the help they need.

Adolescent Drug Rehab Question No.1: How is it Different From Adult Rehab?

Rehab, whether for adults or teens/young people, are primarily focused on one thing: to help the patient get off of alcohol/drugs and give them the skills to stay sober.

But treatment methods can be quite different. Oftentimes one of the biggest challenges in treating young people with substance abuse problems is getting them to accept that they might actually have a problem; teens and adolescents haven’t usually hit a “bottom” as devestating as that experenced by lifelong addicts.

Another difference is that adolescent drug rehab usually has education servces; many times the clients are still attending school. Most teen drug rehab centers have tutoring and GED services on-site to ensure the client doesnt’ fall behind in school.

Adolescent Drug Rehab Question No.2: How Does Adolescent Drug Rehab Work?

As with adult drug rehab, the adolescent version starts with a healthy detox off of the substance–especially with residential rehab–and then a set period of time in a rehab setting, usually from anywhere between 30-90 days.

During rehab, your adolescent is given specialized individual and group therapy, along with family counseling to help deal with any underlying issues that may be exacerbating the addictive behavior.

Adolescent Drug Rehab Question No.3: How Do I Know if My Child Needs It?

It’s tough to know when teens are having emotional problems. (Isn’t that what being a teen is all about.)

But here are a few warning signs that your child may have a substance abuse problem:

Slovenly appearance, no f pride in how they look; Sudden weight loss; Loss of ambition in…well…anything; Track marks on legs or arms; Violent outbursts and sudden emotional changes….

These are just a few of the signposts that there might be a problem with your child.

If you think your child has a substance abuse problem make sure you contact a professional to make an informed decision and bring peace of mind back to your family.