This April, during Alcohol Awareness Month, Destinations for Teens encourages you to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of excessive drinking. If you are drinking too much, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting. For those under 21, taking even one drink is illegal and can have adverse consequences…
You’ve probably come across psychotherapy as an option for treating substance abuse or a co-occurring mental health disorder. Have you ever wondered, “Does psychotherapy work?” If your teenager needs to talk to someone, why can’t they just turn to their parents, guidance counselor, or a trusted friend? Psychotherapy is useful for treating a number of…
If your teen is struggling with their mental health, it can be a complicated situation to handle. As a parent, you want the best for your children and hope that they can thrive and be happy, but this is difficult with mental illness. If your teen is dealing with a mental illness, there is help…
If your son or daughter is struggling with an addiction or mental health issues, you may feel lost and confused. Through your research, it may be difficult to decide which type of treatment program would suit your child best. The first thing to realize is that many young people struggle with mental health issues, but…
By Cynthia Della Ripa, LMFT – There is a wide variety of problems that are facing youth today. It can be a world of confusion and chaos taking place during a crucial stage of adolescent growth and development. Youth can learn how to live a mentally, physically and socially healthy life. This means helping youth…
By George Livengood – Program Director, Canon House Do you remember moping around the house as a kid and mom saying, “Go outside and play!”? Mom was onto something. There are numerous studies that indicate exercise is helpful in reducing depression. There is no one identifiable reason as to why it works. So let’s look…
Holistic addiction treatments and therapies are becoming increasingly popular and is quickly losing its title as an “alternative” treatment and moving into a more conventional role. Holistic treatment brings teens back to the basics: healing the mind and the body through healthy, safe experiences. It isn’t just about becoming sober, it is about improving lives…
Adolescents are developmentally different from adults, and when teens becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, they need a research-based treatment program that’s centered on their level of development and which focuses on education, behaviors, family dynamics and peer issues. The objectives of treatment for teenagers should differ considerably from those of adult treatment, according to…
Encouraging a teenager or adolescent to avoid drugs or alcohol often requires a strong support network and professional assistance. Since the causes of teenage substance abuse stem from multiple causes and the best treatment approach depends on their individual situation, identifying the right treatment plan takes time. Fortunately, the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests…
Completing a substance abuse treatment program marks a huge milestone in your overall recovery. However, it doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. Research estimates that more than 50 percent of addicts relapse during the first four years after treatment, and adolescents are at an especially high risk due to inexperience. Relapse triggers can be…