Your Guide to Adolescent Drug Rehab

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.

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

Whether for adults or young people, rehabilitation is focused on one simple thing: to help the patient stay away from drugs and alcohol and give them coping skills for leading a healthy and sober life.

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 key distinction is that teen drug rehab centers often offer education services as many patients are still trying to get their high school diploma. This usually entails both GEd services and tutoring so that educational disruption doesn’t become another source of anxiety.

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.

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

Teens and tweens can be moody on the best of days, so sensing there might be a substance abuse problem can be tricky.

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

Messy appearance, lack of pride in how they look; Sudden weight loss; Loss of ambition or interest in…well…anything; Track marks on arms/legs; Violent outbursts and sudden emotional changes….

These are just a few of the warning signs parents need to be on the lookout for.

If you believe your child may have a problem, be sure to get a professional opinion and start today to create a happier environment for you and your family.