Concern about teenage substance abuse is all too common among parents, educators, and family physicians. The data supports an ongoing rise in the misuse of alcohol and drugs and addiction among adolescents age 12 and up. More than three-quarters of American teens self-report that they have access to illicit drugs. Nearly half have tried them, and more than 75% of the young people in this age group have experimented with alcohol. Seeking solutions to the growing addiction and substance abuse problems among our young people needs to be a priority in all communities.
If a teen you love is struggling with addiction, finding treatment should be the next step. The residential addiction treatment program at Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge (PAATC), explicitly designed for teens over the age of 18, is an excellent place to start. Call us for more information at 888.546.2579 or use our online form to answer your questions about teen residential treatment.
Why Should Someone Choose Residential Addiction Treatment?
There are options besides residential treatment, such as outpatient recovery treatment, intensive outpatient recovery treatment, and partial hospitalization. No two people are exactly alike, and no two addictions are the same, either. In deciding to enroll your loved one in a residential teen addiction program, consider the following benefits.
1. Complete Absence of Triggers
Even if you purge your home of all traces of alcohol or any drug that your teenager has been using, places, people, and situations can all tempt your teen to return to substance use. Once the temptation or craving has started, it can be challenging to make it stop. In a residential treatment program, young people get to immerse themselves in the first stages of recovery (starting with medically monitored detox) in a neutral, trigger-free setting. In a teen treatment center, surrounded by calm, caring professionals without emotional attachment, expectations, or fears to cloud communications, your teen will have the opportunity to get to a stable, healthy place before returning home to family. By then, systems, routines, coping mechanisms, and more will have been established and, better yet, practiced.
2. 24-Hour Access to Professional Support
It can be scary and frustrating for parents and teens when a need, or even a crisis, arises during the early weeks of recovery that none of the parties involved know how to address. As a parent or guardian, you are not a trained addiction specialist through no fault of your own. You might think that your love and concern should automatically translate into meaningful support, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. In fact, your involvement and deep concern can (unintentionally) make things worse during this vulnerable time. In a residential program, we wrap our clients up with exactly the care they need, from therapy and non-judgmental group support to coaching and realistic long-term planning.
3. Improved Outcomes
Qualified, accredited residential addiction treatment programs have earned their reputation for offering the best long-term recovery outcomes. They establish a foundation more firmly than outpatient rehab or going it alone, a foundation that includes all the tools, strategies, and knowledge your teen needs to live a sober life successfully.
There are no guarantees. We need to acknowledge that addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease. As a family member of a teen suffering from a substance abuse disorder, your first concern is for the best outcomes possible for your loved one. It is normal to experience anxiety about releasing your teen to a residential program.
However, at PAATC, we include family in the addiction treatment protocols we offer to teens. We believe you are a vital part of their lives and will be fundamental support when rehab is done.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Residential Addiction Treatment?
The residential treatment process begins with a medically monitored detox. This is not a do-it-yourself process, and attempting to detox at home can be extremely dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms are different for each person. They can depend on the type of drug abused, the length of time of the abuse, co-occurring disorders, and other individual factors.
There are many types of drugs that require professional detox services, including:
- Alcohol
- Stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamines)
- Opioids (heroin, oxycodone)
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)
If your teen is addicted to any of these substances or others, they will likely need to go through a detox program before they can begin the therapeutic process. At PAATC, our addiction experts can assess your teen’s individual needs and create a detox and treatment plan that is tailored specifically for them. We understand that each person is unique, and we will work to ensure that your teenager receives the best possible care.
Once your teen has completed the detox process, they will be able to begin participating in therapy and other programming designed to help them recover from addiction. Residential treatment programs typically last between 30 and 90 days, though some people may need to stay longer depending on their progress in treatment.
Learn More About Teen Addiction Treatment at PAATC
PAATC’s evidence-based teen addiction treatment programs offer compassionate, faith-based care by highly trained medical, therapeutic, support, and other professionals. Parents and family members can put their minds at ease that their teenager is in a safe, protected environment. At our treatment center, they will face the significant challenge of beginning their journey of recovery. They’ll be surrounded by understanding peers who are on the same journey. Reach out today by calling 888.546.2579, or you can use our easy online form.
