Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Too Young for Drug Rehab?
By Staff Writer
What is the profile of the typical patient in drug rehab? Many people picture a self-obsessed celebrity or an aging gentleman with a 10-year drinking problem. But the truth is there’s no “typical” drug rehab patient and no “right” age for getting help for a drug or alcohol problem.
Myths About Teen Drug Abuse
Teenagers are some of the least likely to ask for help for addiction – a decision that speaks more to parents’ nervousness about admitting a child into drug rehab than to the teen’s need for support.
Parents who are concerned for a teenager with a drug problem are sometimes reluctant to get help because:
- They believe their child is too young for drug rehab to be effective.
- They don’t want their teen to fall further behind at school because of a stay in drug rehab.
- They hope that their teen’s drug or alcohol abuse is just a phase that they will grow out of on their own.
Addiction is a disease that affects people of all ages, and it touches teens and youth every day. While teens with anger issues, behavioral disorders and tumultuous family lives may be at increased risk for addiction, a happy, well-adjusted teen can fall prey to drugs or alcohol as well. The cause may be difficult to see, such as a genetic propensity or family history, or it may be more obvious, such as school stress, the death of a loved one or a parents’ divorce.
The bottom line is: If a teenager is old enough to have a drug problem, they’re old enough for drug rehab. And if the problem is serious enough to have a parent concerned, it is worth investigating further.
The Risks of Teen Drug Abuse
Teens who abuse drugs put themselves at risk for a host of physical, emotional and mental problems, including:
- Impaired memory, learning and motor skills
- Lower test scores
- Dropping out of school
- Depression, anxiety and developmental lags
- Addiction
- Negative peer relationships
- Juvenile delinquency and legal problems
- Risky sexual behavior
- Increased risk of car accidents and suicide
- Loss of interest in hobbies, goals and future success
Choosing a Drug Rehab for Teens
In some ways, parents are right to be concerned about admitting their teen into drug rehab, as not all drug rehab centers are appropriate for teens. Teenagers have different needs than older addicts and alcoholics and require treatment by adolescent addiction specialists.
The key isn’t avoiding drug rehab but finding the best drug rehab for a teenager’s needs. For example, some teen drug rehabs offer an academic component or credit recovery program, helping teens stay on track in school while receiving needed drug rehab treatment.
As a concerned parent, you also want to make sure the drug rehab you choose for your teen encourages family involvement. Family therapy, educational workshops for parents and regular communication with family members are standard offerings at the best teen drug rehabs.
Other desirable features of a teen drug rehab center include:
- Introduction to the 12 Steps of AA/NA (a free, lifelong self-help program that supports teens after drug rehab)
- Opportunities for experiential learning, such as a ropes course, adventure trip or hands-on workshop
- Sober recreational activities to get teens excited about recovery
- Dual diagnosis treatment for teens with both substance abuse issues and mental disorders such as depression or anxiety
- Relapse prevention planning and aftercare to facilitate continued progress after drug rehab
Is alcohol or drug abuse taking your teen off course? Your teen has too much to look forward to – college, a rewarding career, perhaps a family of their own – to let drugs derail them. Get help today.
