When drug use begins in early adolescence there is increased risk to become addicted. This is partly due to the immaturity of the young brain and its impulse control ability.
Prevent Teen Drug Abuse with Prevention
Treatment of Teenage Drug Abuse can include preventing it. Talk with your teenager, know what is going on in their life, what their worries and fears are, and know who they are associating with. Peer relationships, educational problems and family issues can greatly affect the risk of drug use.
If you suspect your teen is using drugs it is crucial that you talk to them about it. If you have undisputable evidence that your teen is in fact using drugs you must get help for them immediately. Infrequent drug use can progress to frequent drug use without intervention.
Teen Drug Abuse Treatment Options
Teen drug abuse treatment includes programs for drug awareness, drug free programs, psychological therapy, private counseling, group counseling, medications for management of withdrawal such as methadone and residential treatment programs. Many of these options include inpatient or outpatient choices.
When an adult is addicted to drugs we say it is their choice whether or not they get treatment, they have to want treatment for it to succeed. When it is your teenager, we don’t always have that option. This may mean having them admitted to an inpatient or residential facility initially.
Choosing the Right Teen Drug Abuse Treatment
The reason for drug use and the intensity or stage of the addiction can be key factors in determining which rehabilitation program is the right one for your teenager. An individually designed treatment plan should be established based on their personal issues.
By researching and finding ways to help ease the withdrawal in a way that targets the individual needs, the chances of successful treatment are increased. Rubber stamped programs do not always address the needs of individual people. Every person is different, and has different reasons that they have started to, or continued to turn to drugs.
Education about the effects and risks of drug use or continuation of drug use is a very important part of drug rehabilitation. Whichever route you choose education should be included as part of recovery. Education should not only cover risks and effects, but coping strategies that will enable continued recovery after treatment.
A supportive and caring environment is essential for recovery from drug addiction. Individual support can come from their families and loved ones, their clergymen, counselors and sponsors to help guide these troubled teenagers to a clean and sober life.