Benefits of Adolescent-Specific Rehab

Once a family has identified that a teen is struggling with substance abuse, the next step is to help this teen by enrolling him or her in adolescent-specific rehab.

Attending an adolescent-specific rehab facility can offer many benefits to teenagers who are struggling with substance abuse.

Adolescent-specific inpatient treatment programs offer a controlled, structured environment that surrounds the teen with his or her peers.

One of the main reasons for choosing adolescent-only residential rehab programs is their high success rate. At an adolescent-specific rehab center, all services, including counseling and medical detox, are tailored specifically to the needs of the teenage patient. These treatment centers surround teens with the support they need to successfully begin the journey to long-term sobriety.

Adolescent-specific rehab is designed specifically to help teens address substance abuse through a treatment program that not only provides medical drug detox and counseling, but also helps to build teens’ self-esteem and confidence. 30-day, 60-day or 90-day inpatient rehab programs in particular are very beneficial for teens who need a safe, structured environment.

Even after medical detox is successfully completed, teens who participate in adolescent-specific rehab will continue to benefit from programs that help boost their confidence through challenge activities like rope courses or outdoor adventures.

Additionally, adolescent-specific programs may also offer fully-accredited academic programs, which are beneficial to teens that may have fallen behind in school or need additional academic help to succeed.

Adolescent-specific rehab programs help teens to not only heal their bodies, but also their minds and spirits, and to better understand that sobriety is part of a happier and healthier long-term lifestyle.

Treatments Available In Adolescent-Specific Rehab

A major factor in selecting an adolescent-specific rehab center is what type of drugs the program treats. Teens have access to more diverse addictive substances than ever before. The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that:

2.2 million American adolescents ages 12-17, or 9% of that population, used alcohol in the last month
4.2 million American adolescents ages 12-17, or 16.7% of that population, used any type of illicit drug in the last month
369,000 American adolescents ages 12-17, or 1.5% of that population, misused prescription stimulants such as Adderall
460,000 American adolescents ages 12-17, or 1.8% of that population, misused prescription sedatives and tranquilizers (benzodiazepines et. al.)
695,000 American adolescents ages 12-17, or 2.8% of that population, misused prescription painkillers (codeine, oxycodone, and other opiates/opioids)

As you can see, adolescent-specific rehab programs have a lot of different substance addictions to treat. Luckily, Destinations for Teens specializes in addiction treatment for all the various substances your teen has used or misused. We also offer treatment for a variety of process addictions related to modern media, along with treatment for mental illnesses and self-harming behaviors. Adolescent-specific rehab at Destinations for Teens treats:

No matter what your teen is dealing with, we have an adolescent-specific rehab program designed to help them recover and live a fulfilling, sober life going forward.

Adolescent-Specific Rehab for Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is a term used for co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. Teenagers who are diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder have two separate illnesses and each illness deserves its own treatment plan.

However, these two plans need to be integrated with one another in order to most effectively address the symptoms and the underlying issues trigger each condition.

For example, trying to treat alcohol abuse without addressing an individual’s depression is ineffective. Teens who are depressed or anxious may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with these complex emotions; failing to address underlying triggers for addiction can increase the likelihood for relapse and makes treatment more difficult.

The Link Between Addiction and Mental Illness

Addiction is common in individuals with mental illness; in fact, approximately half of all individuals with severe mental health problems are also struggling with substance abuse, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Substance abuse and mental health problems will not improve if they are not both treated.

Drugs and alcohol may be a form of self-medication; drug or alcohol abuse may worsen a mental health condition, and drug or alcohol abuse can also trigger mental health problems in an individual who is pre-disposed to mental illness but has never developed mental illness in the past.

Recognizing and treating mental health conditions and substance abuse in teenagers is not easy, but it is important. Denial, for example, can be common for teens who abuse drugs and alcohol. Even parents and teachers may mistakenly excuse suspicious behavior like sudden mood swings as part of “normal teen moodiness.”

Consequently, teens may benefit from receiving specialized dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders in an adolescent-specific treatment center.

Surrounded by their peers in a safe, structured environment, teens receive support from others who are experiencing the same challenges that they are. This peer support, especially with group therapy, can help isolated teens connect and feel more comfortable during the treatment process.

What to Expect from Adolescent-Specific Drug Rehab

Typically, most adolescent-specific drug rehab programs offer individualized care plans within the context of a dynamic treatment program that encourages teens to develop new life skills and rebuild damaged relationships with family members.

A variety of treatment options are offered and may include:

Holistic treatments, such as yoga, acupuncture and meditation, can teach teens positive ways to cope with stress and anxiety that support whole body mental and physical health from the inside out. Many treatment centers also include sober recreational activities that help teens learn healthy, positive ways to have fun and interact with others.

Finally, most treatment programs also offer family counseling. Family counseling at a treatment center is important because the center provides a safe environment for families to interact. This can help all parties feel like they have an equal voice and that their opinions matter.

Finding Adolescent-Specific Treatment Programs

If you are the parent of a teenager who could benefit from substance abuse treatment, finding the right adolescent-specific program can make a big difference for your teen’s successful recovery.

Many treatment centers offer specialized adolescent care that integrates substance abuse detox with group therapy, family counseling, self-esteem building activities, and accredited academic programs.

To learn more about the different treatment programs in your community and to find the right program for your teen, contact us at 877.466.0620.

Destinations for Teens Policy Update:

The well-being and safety of our clients, their families, and our staff are always our top priority at Destinations for Teens.

Destinations for Teens will continue to serve our community during this time by providing online/virtual programming for our Intensive Outpatient Program. Our Partial Hospitalization/Day program and Residential program will remain open as usual at this time. In conjunction with our existing infection control policies, Destinations for Teens is closely monitoring CDC updates on the impact of the COVID-19. Please see link below for measures we are taking to maintain a safe environment for our staff and clients.

For more information, we encourage you to please take some time to read the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines on the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please check in daily for updates regarding our services.

Destinations for Teens (“Destinations”) is monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and employing safety measures to protect our clients and families. At this time, we have no immediate concern that Destinations should be making changes to its’ daily schedules. On February 26, Destinations for Teens updated its’ protocols to include specific instruction for the coronavirus and it is important to continue taking the following preventative measures:

•Established a revised screening process for admissions, including questions about recent fevers, travel overseas, and family members’ potential risk factors for the virus. Anyone posing a risk to our treatment centers will not be admitted.

•Instructed any PHP/IOP clients to stay home if they are sick and seek appropriate medical care. Clients can only return to treatment with written medical clearance.

•Implemented mandatory training for every employee on hand washing and hand sanitization and cough etiquette, and strict employee, client and visitor compliance with washing/sanitizing hands thoroughly in accordance with CDC guidelines.

•Increased availability and use of alcohol-based hand rubs and making sure that tissues are available and sinks are well stocked with soap and paper towels for hand washing.

•Distributed flu prevention information and instructed staff to stay home if they are sick pursuant to CDC recommendations.

•Increased sanitization of equipment and by having the cleaning crew disinfect surfaces and doorknobs on a daily basis.

•Posted signs in all treatment areas and residences explaining the importance of hand sanitation, illness prevention and available sanitizing stations at Destinations.

•The ability to participate in the family support and education sessions remotely via HIPAA compliant Zoom software allowing families to not have to travel to Destinations for family visits, support or workshops.

As you are partners with Destinations in supporting our clients, we are asking that you continue to adhere to the following preventative measures in your home and prior to visiting Destinations:

•Stay home when you are sick. If your son/daughter is not feeling well, please keep him/her home and return to treatment after 48 hours of no symptoms.

•Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

•Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

•If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze in the crook of your elbow - NOT in your hands.

•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

•Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

•If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

•If you have not received the regular flu shot, you should do so immediately.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

•Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

•Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Destinations is committed to staying current with the evolution of this health concern. Destinations will continue to implement best practices pursuant to CDC guidelines for minimizing risk, and closely monitor the situation within our sites and more broadly. Our clients’ safety is our top priority and we will continue to assess this situation and provide updates.

More information about the coronavirus can be found at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus