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Outpatient Rehab for Teens

When it comes to drug abuse and addiction in adolescents, the statistics continue to show a scary reality. More and more teens are experimenting and eventually abusing illicit substances as they work their way into adulthood, hence the need for outpatient rehab services for teens. Recent studies conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) report that at least 1 in 8 teenagers abuses illicit drugs every year. More specifically:

50% of teenagers have misused a drug at least one time
Drug use in 8th graders increased 61% between 2016 and 2020
86% of teenagers know someone who abuses illicit drugs or drinks alcohol during the school day

For decades, drug abuse has impacted adolescents and young adults. Today, with more potent drugs readily available, the risks of becoming addicted to illicit substances are much greater for this age group, presenting a more serious problem than ever before.

Is Your Child Abusing Drugs?

No parent ever wants to think that their child is abusing drugs, but unfortunately, this is a reality for some. It’s important to be aware of what to look for in adolescents when it comes to symptoms of drug abuse. Intervening as quickly as possible can further help produce favorable results rather than experiencing a disaster.

It can be difficult to decipher between what is normal adolescent behavior and what is drug-induced. This is because these individuals are experiencing several changes every single day. You might think your teenager’s mood swings are a result of hormones when instead, they are actually being triggered by drug abuse. Knowing what’s normal and what is indicative of a drug abuse problem can be tricky, but it can be done.

If your child is abusing drugs, he or she may exhibit the following symptoms:

Physical changes (runny nose, bloodshot eyes, sore throat, and fast weight loss)
Hostility or irritability
Neglect of household responsibilities
Memory problems
Socially isolating from family and/or friends
Fatigue
Changes in sleeping patterns
Changes in diet
Highly influenced by peers
Behavioral problems
Poor academic performance

Adolescents are not as skilled in keeping things secret as adults are, which is why it can be easier to spot drug paraphernalia in their rooms or living spaces. They may also develop deceitful behavior and even lie numerous times in an effort to continue using drugs without intervention. Unfortunately, your intervention is exactly what is necessary if your adolescent is abusing drugs.

Outpatient Drug Rehab for Teens

If your child is experiencing drug abuse or addiction, getting them the appropriate treatment as quickly as possible is absolutely imperative. Allowing drug abuse to continue will only complicate and delay getting your child the help they need. One of the best options for care is outpatient drug rehab, specifically for teens. Outpatient drug rehab for teens is a level of treatment programming that allows teens to continue living at home and going to school while receiving professional drug abuse and addiction treatment services.

If your child participates in outpatient drug rehab for teens, they will need to attend therapy sessions at the facility at least once per week. During that time, they will participate in evidence-based therapies provided by skilled professionals that can help address the root causes of their drug abuse or addiction. They will utilize their time in therapy to develop new ways of coping with stressors. For example, these can include learning about addiction as a disease and building a community of other peers who are also recovering from drug abuse or addiction.

The most commonly utilized therapies in outpatient drug rehab for teens include:

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Behavioral therapy

Outpatient drug rehab for teens may also utilize other therapies that are more effective for younger populations, such as motivational interviewing, contingency management, and wilderness therapy for example.

Does My Child Need Outpatient Drug Rehab?

If your child is showing symptoms of drug abuse or addiction, getting treatment for them is absolutely pivotal. Knowing which type of treatment is right for them is just as important. Outpatient drug rehab for teens is an ideal option for those teenagers who are abusing drugs but are not actively addicted to them.

Depending on the type of drug that they are abusing, they may require more advanced care than what outpatient drug rehab can provide. Outpatient rehab is best suited for those teens who are abusing drugs but who can stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. This allows them to continue to go to school and participate at home while also participating in the program.

Your child might benefit from outpatient drug rehab for teens if they:

Have a strong support system at home
Can disconnect from peers who abuse drugs
Are at low risk for relapse
Do not have any severe mental health conditions

If you are concerned that your child is in need of help for a drug abuse problem, reaching out to a professional to help determine if outpatient drug rehab is best for them is the first step.

Outpatient Drug Rehab for Teens in Franklin

Having a teenager who has a drug abuse problem is not for the faint of heart. The best thing you can do as a parent is to reach out for professional guidance during this time. At Mind Body Optimization, we work directly with you to develop a specialized rehab program for your teen so they can thrive and let go of everything related to their active substance use disorder.

Learn about our admissions process or call us to learn more about how we can help you and your teenager.