Drug Rehab for Teens: A Guide for Parents

Drug use can start early in life. 90% of substance-dependent users began using before age 18. Supporting your teen with an adolescent drug rehab program can give them life-long tools for recovery and sobriety. 

What to Expect at Youth Drug Rehab Centers 

Just as no two teens are alike, no two rehabilitation programs are alike. In fact, the best facilities tailor the treatment they provide to meet each teen’s specific needs. In treatment for substance use disorders, teens have access to medical intervention, therapeutic modalities, and social support. 

Medical and Therapeutic Interventions

Medical detox is an important step toward recovery for some teens who use substances, though this may be done at an intervention center rather than a residential rehab program. During the detox phase, medications help soothe withdrawal symptoms. This keeps clients safe during the initial stages of sobriety and can ensure that they stay enrolled in a program long enough to see the process through to completion. 

Once a teen has gone through this step (if prescribed), they can begin the therapeutic process. In a residential rehab for teens, this may include: 

• Psychiatric evaluations 
• Individual therapy for substance use
• Individual therapy for other mental illnesses
• Group therapy 
• Family therapy
• Other peer groups, like young people’s 12-Step programs

Therapy allows teens to identify triggers and build safe coping mechanisms. As they begin treatment, teens have the opportunity to explore and recognize triggers that lead them to drug use. For some teens, peer pressure plays a role. For others, depression or anxiety are involved. 

Once teens recognize these influences, they can develop coping tools. They may learn to use meditation, visualization, or verbal processing.

Social Support and Skill Building 

In addition to therapy, teen rehab programs provide a social component vital for healing. Often, teens who take drugs don’t develop social and emotional skills on par with their peers. In rehab, teens might talk with peers in therapy sessions or mentor those new to recovery. 

Family involvement is often vital for social support. In family therapy, all family members have the opportunity to understand the effects of substance use. They may explore their relationship roles and develop skills that can help the whole “family system” function as a healthy unit. Family members can learn how to express their needs without placing blame and have the opportunity to rebuild trust and respect.

Whether with peers or family members, the goal is to help teens build skills for healthy communication and relationships they can take with them into the world when their time in rehab ends. 

Some programs provide teens with other skill-building activities, in addition to their standard therapy sessions. These might give teens the opportunity to:

• Create art projects
• Experience nature through hikes or camping
• Care for horses or other trained animals
• Make music
  

These additional therapies are designed to help teens experience other outlets for their emotions. They can also help teens gain confidence, make friends, and identify enjoyable sober activities.

How to Find the Right Rehab Center for Your Teen

Finding the right residential teen treatment program for your teen may seem overwhelming at first, as substance use is a complex behavioral issue. Additionally, more than half of teens who use substances also have a diagnosable mental illness. These teens need specialized care to heal. Parents can navigate the process with these supports:

Lean on Allies

Parents don’t need to make all treatment decisions on their own, without the help of any outside entity. As you start your search, identify resources that can help you. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration maintains a database of drug abuse treatment facilities that they update regularly. It could be an excellent starting place for families to discover treatment options and locations. 

Families that utilize an interventionist might rely on their professional expertise and guidance. They may have experience with specific programs or insights that can help a family make an informed choice. 

Current care providers, such as a primary care physician, pediatrician, or therapist, can offer guidance and suggestions as families navigate this stage. Insurance companies might also have a list of approved programs.

Focus on Treatment Modalities Offered

While parents might first be inclined to search for treatment in a specific geographic location, the right program might not be close to home. Instead of location, parents should focus on: 

• Therapies provided
• Training and credentialing of staff
• Outcomes
• Individualized programming
• Scientific basis for the care provided

Do your research to understand your teen’s unique needs and the treatment that will best facilitate their recovery.

Ask Questions 

When searching for programs, interviews might play a key role in understanding a program’s unique offerings. Parents should feel free to ask about anything they think might be important for the teen’s health. These ten questions give parents a good starting point:

1. What are the credentials of the people who will treat my teen?
2. How will you evaluate my teen when the program starts?
3. How will you tailor the program to meet the specific needs of my teen?
4. Will the treatment change as my teen progresses? How?
5. How will I know that treatment is working?
6. Is there research available to support the treatments you use? 
7. What will the treatment cost, and do you accept my insurance?
8. Do you use medications in your therapies, and if so, how?
9. How do support groups like AA fit into your treatment model?
10. What kind of aftercare do you provide, and how long will that last?
    

Parents might be intrigued by specific types of care, and it’s perfectly acceptable to ask about particular services. You might ask about integrated behavioral health treatment, a preferred therapeutic modality, or their experience with specific substances, such as prescription pills or illicit drugs.

Comprehensive Treatment with Muir Wood

Youth drug rehab programs provide teens with tools for sobriety and skills for overall wellness. Finding the right program for your teen takes careful consideration. At Muir Wood, we provide dual-diagnosis treatment for teens to address substance use and underlying mental health concurrently. If you have any questions about drug rehab for teenagers, read about our admissions process or contact us today.