The importance of aftercare for addiction recovery can’t be overstated, and is essential to a successful recovery for your teen. Aftercare is the continuing individualized programming that takes place once treatment is complete. A study on the advances in substance abuse treatment for adolescents, published by the National Institutes of Health, cites several studies that have shown that aftercare reduces the likelihood of relapse and helps teens in recovery continue to build on the momentum and motivation for recovery gained in treatment.
Destinations for Teens offers aftercare for teens who go through our programs. To learn more about our teen aftercare program, contact us at 877.466.0620 today.
Aftercare for Teens
In a full rehab program, teens discover addiction and explore the reasons behind their drug or alcohol use. The plan aims to stop going back to old habits, and aftercare adds to what they learned. Good relationships and a healthy life are key to a strong recovery. Aftercare plans focus on this through personalized activities like:
- Ongoing individual cognitive-behavioral therapy, during which your teen will continue to work on identifying harmful attitudes and beliefs and replace them with healthy ones.
- Ongoing family therapy is designed to help repair damaged relationships and improve communication skills to promote healthy functioning in the household.
- Attending regular peer support group meetings that foster a sense of community, promote personal accountability and responsibility, and offer the opportunity to develop healthy relationships with other non-users.
- Attending events or joining peer groups that promote a healthy lifestyle through enjoyable hobbies and activities that don’t involve drugs or alcohol.
Our aftercare for teens near Los Angeles, California, provides a supportive and holistic approach to recovery. We understand that each teen is unique and requires an individualized aftercare plan tailored to their specific needs and challenges.
Healthy Relationships in Recovery
Peer pressure and dysfunctional peer relationships can be significant triggers for relapse, and developing relationships that are happy and healthy will go a long way toward promoting long-term recovery for your teen. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health, both good and bad peer pressure affects the decisions teens make, and nurturing positive friendships helps them get through rough spots during adolescence.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, group recovery meetings, and family therapy all help teens develop the healthy self-esteem and interpersonal skills required for healthy peer relationships and for being able to say “no” to friends and others who may want to engage in harmful behaviors.
You can help your teen create a solid and healthy support system by ensuring they attend support group meetings and therapy sessions and providing opportunities to enjoy the company of non-using peers. Family therapy can help you maintain an open line of communication with your child and learn how to set clear boundaries, which are also crucial for helping your child develop healthy relationships.
The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle
The aftercare plan will include some form of ongoing counseling that promotes an overall healthy lifestyle. Adequate sleep and good nutrition are essential for good physical and mental health, which are, in turn, necessary for maintaining abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Exercise is one of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle in recovery. It helps alleviate stress and control cravings, as well as naturally ease depression.
Helping your teen find a sport or other physical activity they enjoy, from yoga to martial arts, running, or swimming, will help keep them active, and getting involved in this type of activity also promotes the natural development of healthy relationships with abstinent peers as well as coaches and other adult leaders.
These relationships add to the support system your child will be able to depend upon for help should a relapse occur. Boredom and feelings of isolation are also potent triggers for relapse, so ensuring your teenager is engaging in enjoyable activities is part of promoting a healthy recovery lifestyle for your child.
Other Teen Aftercare Considerations
The aftercare plan will also include helping your teen develop the skills they need to maintain the changes made in rehab, such as:
- Developing a realistic relapse prevention plan.
- Addressing any other emotional or mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
- Helping your child set and achieve personal goals that don’t involve using drugs or alcohol, including education, work, and other personal interests.
- Providing access to ongoing medical care for any physical health issues that may arise during recovery.
- Offering resources or support for finding employment or volunteer opportunities to help your teen build a sense of purpose and responsibility.
By providing an aftercare plan that addresses all aspects of your teen’s life, including relationships, healthy lifestyle choices, and skills development, you can help your child build a strong foundation for long-term recovery. It’s important to remember that aftercare is crucial to preventing relapse and promoting a successful recovery for your teen.
Contact Destinations for Teens for Teen Aftercare in Los Angeles
At Destinations for Teens, we understand the importance of aftercare for teens and offer personalized plans to help your teen continue their recovery journey. Contact us today at 877.466.0620 to learn more about our aftercare program and how we can support your teen’s success in recovery. Our holistic approach focuses on addressing all aspects of your child’s life.
Helping your teen identify the activities that bring enjoyment and facilitating their involvement in those activities will also go a long way toward assisting them to maintain motivation and momentum for long-term recovery. For help with teen addiction treatment and recovery, call us at 877.466.0620 or fill out our online form.