| Drug abuse among teens is a growing concern. In | | | | Often well-meaning efforts to help someone with a |
| Troubled Teenagers - Identifying and Dealing with | | | | drug problem actually empower them to continue their |
| Tough Issues we discuss the signs as well as the | | | | destructive behavior by allowing them to avoid the |
| reasons why teens abuse drugs and alcohol. | | | | consequences of their actions. |
| As with any disease, early detection increases the | | | | How you can help your teen: |
| chance for a full recovery and a drug and alcohol free | | | | - Allow them to accept their own responsibilities |
| future. Inpatient treatment at a Drug and Alcohol | | | | - Set clear rules and limitations and enforce them |
| Rehabilitation Center is the first step to a drug and | | | | - Encourage your teen to attend meetings and group |
| alcohol free life. The patient is provided 24-hour care | | | | counseling |
| to monitor and ensure a safe withdrawal from drugs. | | | | - Be there to listen to their problems, fears, and plans |
| In addition, they attended lectures, workshops, group | | | | for getting through this time |
| therapy and individual counseling to educate them | | | | - Be aware of and celebrate every victory |
| about the psychological and physical implications of | | | | Don't: |
| long-term substance abuse. | | | | - Accept the guilt for your teen's problem |
| During the period of treatment, patients are able to | | | | - Rescue your son or daughter from the |
| take a good hard look at the reasons that they have | | | | consequences of their actions |
| used drugs in the past, such as emotional triggers, | | | | - Blame, argue, or recall past mistakes |
| certain events or peer pressure. | | | | - Solve your teen's problems for them |
| Patients are also taught to effectively address | | | | - Accept their promises |
| emotional or psychological issues that might interfere | | | | - Believe everything they tell you |
| with their recovery through group and individual | | | | - Be anxious or impatient |
| counseling. The staff also helps them determine and | | | | Additionally, learn how to love your son or daughter |
| address their own unique relapse warning signs. | | | | while letting go of what you cannot control. |
| After a 30-day stay at the drug rehabilitation facility, | | | | Accept that you cannot control your teen's future |
| your teen will return home much better equipped with | | | | choices, but that there is much you can do to avoid |
| the capabilities to avoid drug abuse and live a normal | | | | standing in the way of his or her recovery. |
| life. | | | | Your role as a helper is not to do things for your son |
| How you can help your teen after rehab - | | | | or daughter such as waking them up so they would |
| Although relapse is common, as long as your teen | | | | not be late for work, or paying bills for them, but to |
| remains committed to his or her recovery and | | | | allow them to experience their own consequences. |
| implements lifestyle changes, they can avoid becoming | | | | Let go of the past, and try not to worry about the |
| a statistic of chronic relapse. | | | | future. Worrying will use up all your energy and leave |
| According to research, it takes 90 days for the brain | | | | you unable to focus on "today". |
| to develop resistance against the desire to use drugs. | | | | Signs leading to relapse: |
| Usually inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation is | | | | - Exhaustion |
| followed up with Sober Living, which are alcohol- and | | | | - Dishonesty |
| drug-free houses that support the recovering person | | | | - Impatience |
| to maintain an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle. | | | | - Arguing |
| Applying the principles of Sober Living in your home: | | | | - Frustration |
| First, you need to make sure that your teen lives in a | | | | - Self-pity |
| place that is free from alcohol and drug use. Second, | | | | - Cockiness |
| your teen needs to attend group counseling and | | | | - Complacency |
| meetings. Finally, your son or daughter needs structure | | | | - Being bored |
| and strict guidelines, including curfew and random drug | | | | Daily inventory and dealing with their problems as well |
| testing. | | | | as therapy are mandatory to remain sober. Your teen |
| Your teen also needs to stay away from nightlife and | | | | needs to accept that he or she has a problem and |
| friends, learn to take responsibility for their choices and | | | | that they have to do some things that are routine for a |
| actions and how to function in the day-to-day world. | | | | clean and sober life. |