Is your teenager facing a drug problem? Are you worried about your son or daughter’s substance abuse? Finding the right treatment center is an important next step for patients with a drug-using teenager. Discover the importance of a residential treatment center for teens battling addiction.

The teenage years are full of varying pressures – pressure to fit in, to get good grades, to excel on the field, to get ready for college or move out on their own. Not to mention, the frequent pressure from peers to party and try new things. As a result, teen drug use is quite common. Millions of adolescents are diagnosed with a substance use disorder each year. Even more teenagers recreationally use drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than half of new drug users are under age 18.

If you are a parent with a teen who is using drugs, you are not alone. We understand this can be a devastating time for parents. Discovering that your son or daughter is using drugs is heartbreaking. But discovering that your teenager is simultaneously introducing larger problems – such as chronic substance addiction – into his or her life can feel even worse. We often think that teen drug use is just a phase, experimentation if you will. In reality, it’s risky. 90 percent of addictions start before age 18.

Teen addiction is complex. Teens are naturally wired to make impulsive decisions. Biologically, they are not fully prepared to think about long-term consequences of their actions. Teens are also more resistant, disengaged, and more likely to act out. This is due to their stage of brain development. So, when a teenager becomes addicted to drugs, this all needs to be taken into consideration when choosing the right drug treatment center for teens. Teens must be engaged in their recovery; the problem is, they are often hesitant (or completely resistant) to start.

Which Type of Drug Treatment is Best for Teenagers?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) outlines a set of guiding principles to look for in an adolescent drug treatment center. Within this list, they note that teenagers often require longer-durations of treatment – three months at minimum, but outcomes are better when a person stays in treatment even longer. Teenagers also require continuing care when recovering from addiction.

Residential treatment centers for teens offer this extent of long-term care. This means that a teenager will live away from home, in sober housing, for the duration of their treatment services. Not only do residents in these centers benefit from 24-hour, watchful care and consistent access to clinicians, they also are given the opportunity to re-establish healthy routines, to focus solely on their healing in a completely sober setting, and to connect with similar-aged, sober peers throughout their recovery.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of residential treatment centers for teens is the fact that they provide a safe, drug-free space for teenagers to recover. Teens in a residential program do not have to worry about outside pressures at school or home, or the roads in between. They do not have to worry about peer-pressuring friends or being invited to parties on the weekends and summer months. With inpatient teen rehab, outside influences and relapse triggers are all removed. And in their place are healthy, sober, mentally-, socially-, physically-, and emotionally-rewarding activities each day. Residential treatment centers for teens offer a secure, secluded healing environment where teens can focus fully on themselves and their recovery, to become the best possible version of themselves they can be.

Resources You Will Find at a Residential Treatment Center for Teenagers

According to the NIDA, residential treatment is a resource-intense, high-level of care. While every adolescent drug treatment center is different, there are certain components you will find at a reputable facility. At Turnbridge young adult and adolescent drug treatment center, you will find:

• Personalized treatment plans, in which each teen receives a treatment regime that is completely tailored to his or her age, gender, drug of choice, history of trauma and mental health problems, cultural background, legal troubles, and more.
• Individualized therapy sessions, where a counselor will get to know the teen, his or her needs, and his or her progress as treatment goes on.
• Group therapy sessions, where teens meet in small groups with a certified counselor, and discuss their experiences, challenges, and successes with treatment and substance use.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps teens get to the root of their addiction, establish goals, develop coping skills, and overcome challenges throughout recovery.
• Dual diagnosis treatment programs, for teens who are battling cooccurring substance use and mental health disorders (such as anxiety, depression, or eating disorders).
• Sober, recreational activities, which engage teens in their treatment and allow them to meet and bond with peers in similar shoes. Recreational activities at Turnbridge include musical jam sessions, yoga, team sports like basketball, art workshops, cooking, ski trips, and even group outings in the local, vibrant city of New Haven.
• 12step meetings, where teens form a relationship with a sponsor and other members of the recovery community.
• Educational and tutoring opportunities, for teens who are still looking to finish high school or apply to college in the future.
• Nutritious meal preparation, where nourishing, fulfilling meals are prepared for residents, and later prepared by residents, to restore their bodily health and functioning to the best it can be.
• Volunteer work, where teens can regain a sense of accountability and responsibility.
• Family therapy and programs, where family members can become an active part of their loved one’s recovery. Family support is a critical element of addiction treatment for teens, and we aim to involve parents, as well as siblings, at each phase of the recovery process.

All of these resources are designed to bring texture to the traditional, residential treatment experience for teens and further, to engage teenagers in their recovery program. This also helps build the vibrant, collaborative community that is Turnbridge.

Who is Residential Treatment Best For?

Residential treatment is generally best for adolescents with more severe levels of addiction. However, it is never too early to introduce rehab. The NIDA states, “Adolescents can benefit from a drug abuse intervention even if they are not addicted to a drug.” Even if it seems like experimentation, parents may consider drug treatment, due to the dangers that drug use exposes to the adolescent brain.

Teenagers with mental health and medical needs, who require 24-hour care and a structured environment, also benefit most from an inpatient rehab setting. Mental health problems like depression, ADHD, PTSD, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, and more, paired with substance abuse, can be especially inhibitive for teenagers in recovery. That said, it is important to receive professional treatment for both types of disorders, at the same time and place. Residential, dual diagnosis treatment is a good option in these cases.

Turnbridge is a long-term, residential, dual diagnosis treatment center for teens and young adults battling substance addiction. We are also much more. We are recognized not just for our drug treatment programs, but also for our recovery community and the staff and residents within it. Everyone at Turnbridge becomes an active part of this community, enhancing and supporting their long-term commitment to live a sober, drug-free life. Find out more by calling 877-581-1793.