Making Better Relationships Is Part of Teen Rehab

Rehab for teens doesn’t consist of a large white room with concrete blocks where a teen is sent into seclusion to eliminate the influences that may have helped lead to substance abuse. Teen rehab programs come in many shapes and sizes but are seldom simply seclusion and a hope that forced abstinence from drugs will encourage change. A new approach to teen rehabilitation has made significant strides in creating an environment for teens that is successful for the long term. These new teen rehab programs still include the core foundation of a twelve-step program in which teens confront their problems and are then encouraged to develop the coping and maintenance strategies to succeed free of addiction. Counseling, medical treatment and other behavioral supports are also available to assist along with the innovative aspect of the program that focuses on building healthy friendships. For teens, life focuses around acceptance, and the common factors that seem to influence so many teens include low feelings of self-worth and a poor self-image that often springs from multiple issues that the teen is trying to avoid. So, a new approach for rehab programs specifically for teens focuses on healing the self-image as well as the body. These programs take place in a controlled environment where teens continue to attend class and also develop friendships similar to those in a typical high school. However, extensive coaching and counseling occurs so that teens practice and develop the skills necessary to accept others and develop a positive self-image. Such constructive approaches to relationships and image encourage teens at these rehab programs to grow and feel capable of confronting the issues that in the past were ignored, causing ruination of the teen’s self-image. Teens can earn their high school diploma and grow from such experiences, fueling feelings of success without addiction—and it feels great. Families participate in the programs as well to help address problems at home because the goal is to help teens develop the skills to have healthy and fulfilling relationships.