Support Options and Tips for Military Families With Adolescent Addiction Issues

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Military teens have a unique set of circumstances to navigate, from frequent relocations to the emotional challenges of having an active-duty parent. For teenagers grappling with addiction, finding resources and assistance for substance abuse is a crucial first step to recovery.

Understanding Adolescent Addiction in Military Families

Have you heard the saying, "When one person joins the military, the whole family serves?" While these families can lead happy, healthy lives and show remarkable resilience, they must deal with challenges their nonmilitary peers will never face. Young people can be particularly affected — studies over many years suggest that military kids are more likely to experience mental health and substance use disorders.

There are many possible reasons why. Relocating often and changing routines can create a sense of disorientation, while changing schools and leaving friends behind may result in anger or difficulty making attachments. Additionally, being separated from parents for a long time and trying to rebuild relationships after a long deployment can be challenging. To face these stressors, some teens may adopt coping mechanisms that involve substances. Substance abuse can have dangerous consequences, including work issues, health problems, family strains, problems at school and suicide.

Seeking help for substance use disorder can be difficult no matter the circumstances, and especially so in a military culture that promotes self-reliance and strength under pressure. Overcoming the stigma of mental health and seeking recovery programs can help teens cope with overwhelming emotions and start their journey toward recovery and wellness.

Support Options and Resources for Military Families

The Department of Defense (DOD) is working to decrease the stigma around mental health and addiction while increasing support for veterans, service members and their families. For example, Military OneSource offers the Military and Family Life Counseling Program to help teens and families navigate grief, loss and other stressors. FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) can also help teenagers learn to address the challenges of military life and better communicate their needs with their families. Private treatment centers that accept TRICARE, the DOD's health care program, can also help you access the best treatment solution for your teen and family.

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Treatment Pathways for Teens

There are many treatments available to you and your family. The right one will depend on your needs. Set up a consultation with your treatment center of choice to talk about your options. They may include:

• Residential treatment: Teens can start their recovery journeys away from distractions in a comfortable, home-like environment. Caring, expert staff use a two-fold approach — addressing the substance use disorder and any underlying diagnosable mental health challenges. This is called a dual diagnosis treatment.
• Partial hospitalization: Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) offer comprehensive daytime support and allow the teen to return home at night. They can maintain family and community connections while receiving structured mental and substance abuse treatment. This approach benefits teens who may not need 24/7 support.
• Intensive outpatient program: Intensive outpatient programs provide structured therapy within a flexible schedule. Teens are encouraged to attend individual, group and family therapy sessions multiple days a week for several hours. Intensive outpatient programs offer more structured support than traditional outpatient programs.
• Outpatient treatment: Traditional outpatient treatment allows teenagers to continue with their daily routines while still receiving support. It is often beneficial for individuals who can manage their daily responsibilities on their own. For example, they may attend weekly therapy sessions.

Initial therapy is the first crucial step to recovery, but the journey continues afterward. Alumni programs provide a gentle transition from treatment to daily life. They provide a vital ongoing connection to a recovery community and offer addiction education and relapse prevention.

Navigating Insurance and Health Care Coverage

Most military families are eligible for and covered under TRICARE. TRICARE covers:

• Uniformed service members and their families.
• National Guard and Reserve members and their families.
• Medal of Honor recipients and their families.
• Former spouses.
• Survivors.
• Other individuals who are registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

Depending on your plan and benefits, coverage includes health plans, special programs, prescriptions and dental.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Humana Military can also help connect military communities to high-quality health care. TriWest is a third-party administrator — not an insurer — that administers TRICARE benefits in the TRICARE West Region, which includes 26 states. TriWest can help service members and their families connect with authorized treatment centers. Humana Military is the current TRICARE East Region contractor.

Families on a TRICARE plan can access the following resources and assistance with substance abuse:

• Inpatient services
• Intensive outpatient programs
• Management of withdrawal
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Mental health therapeutic services
• Office-based opioid treatment
• Opioid treatment programs
• Partial hospitalization programs

Choose a treatment center that will work with you and your insurance provider to access the best treatment for your teen. This should include supporting you by verifying coverage and submitting claims while you concentrate on your teen's recovery. They should also give you advice about accessing alternative financing, if needed.

How Destinations for Teens Can Help

Every family is unique, and every teen is one-of-a-kind, which is why we at Destinations for Teens believe the journey toward freedom from addiction requires a holistic approach that embraces the mind, body and spirit. For healing to occur at every level, your teen's treatment plan must be unique to them and include traditional therapy complemented by experiential activities. This approach has led to some of the highest success rates in the industry.

Destinations for Teens partners with TriWest, Humana Military and the VA to provide services to military families. We have treatment centers across California that are accessible to military families and their teens:

• Los Angeles: Close to Los Angeles Air Force Base, Fort MacArthur and Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos.
• Woodland Hills: Close to Edwards Air Force Base.
• San Diego: Close to Naval Base San Diego and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Our home-like residential facilities can provide your teen with constant supervision and care. If you believe that an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program would better suit your needs, we can get you in contact with a partnering care center or recommend one of our own customized treatment programs.

Seek Treatment for Your Teen at Destinations

If your family is facing the challenges of adolescent addiction, Destinations for Teens is here to help. Contact us today for confidential support, expert guidance and a path to healing for your teen and your family.

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