Inpatient Drug Treatment Programs For Teens: How They Benefit You And Your Child
Drug addiction most often starts during adolescence. According to Dr. Michael L. Dennis, chair of the Society for Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, 80-90% of those that end up with a drug dependency began using before the age of eighteen, with about half of them starting before they are fifteen. Studies further conclude that early intervention offers the best chance of lasting recovery. If you have a teen who struggles with a drug or alcohol dependency, you want to give them the very best in treatment, and one of the best options is an inpatient drug treatment facility. Understanding who can benefit and in what ways will help you make the best decision for your family.
Who Can Benefit From Inpatient Drug Treatment
It's important to recognize that most teens will try drugs and/or alcohol at some point and not succumb to addiction. Dr. Dennis claims that only 25% of those who experiment under the age of fifteen will develop some sort of dependency. There is hope for that 25%, though, as most teens do eventually recover when treated appropriately. Inpatient facilities are usually best for teens who have a long history of substance abuse, have tried unsuccessfully to recover through outpatient facilities, are at a high risk of relapse, have parent(s) who are also using, or those with additional psychiatric problems that would pose a challenge for the parent to manage as the teen recovers. They are also beneficial to the parent in a number of ways as this article examines.
Benefits of Inpatient Treatment
1. Constant supervision. An inpatient facility like Olalla Recovery Centers provides the patient with 24/7 supervision, ensuring that they don't have access to drugs and alcohol. This is a critical time for your child as relapse can occur, particularly on the heels of detox. When your teen is monitored around the clock, there is less risk for them to contact a friend or other person they have a history of abusing with, or someone who can provide them with drugs.
2. Support system. In an inpatient facility, the teen is surrounded by people of similar challenges, addictions, etc. This provides the child with a strong sense of support, and they can draw strength from being around those that are more likely to sympathize with their addictions and other mental health issues.
3. Daily therapy. While your teen is in the early stages of recovery, he or she will need daily therapy to address coping skills and possible mental health issues like depression and anxiety. They will also learn about addiction and the recovery process as this helps them to understand what they are going through. Education and support from professionals and peers is critical during this time. The daily therapy is performed as a one-on-one with patient and therapist, in a group setting, or both. And it's always done in a nurturing and caring environment.
4. Avoidance of triggers. An inpatient facility removes your child from the outside environment (home and school) and any possible triggers for drug abuse. This includes things like stress, former friends, or anything else that could tempt them to use. When the teen is removed from these triggers, they are less likely to relapse and better able to learn coping strategies and life skills that will help them deal with temptations once their time at the facility is over.
5. Parental benefits. Although the love you have for your child is never-ending, the trust that was once there is likely damaged, albeit temporarily. In fact, your family dynamics and interactions have probably been quite turbulent lately, particularly if you have other children in the home. Siblings might feel resentful of the way the teen has been acting. They might begrudge how their brother or sister has been treated and given so much attention, making them feel left out or neglected. Inpatient treatment programs allow a time of brief reprieve where everyone can take a breath and recover. You can be at ease that your child is supervised and receiving the therapy they need, while you focus on your family's immediate needs as you work to rebuild the bonds between you and your loved ones.