3 Important Facts About Teen Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

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As a parent, you may try your best to shield your child from negative influences, enabling them to make good choices. It can be shocking to learn that your child has been using illegal drugs. However, the first step in helping your child is admitting they have a problem and then working to seek help. A teen substance abuse treatment program can help your teenager overcome their addiction. Here are three things you should know about teen substance abuse treatment programs: 

1. Teen substance abuse treatment can prevent addiction later in life. 

Teenagers are highly independent when compared with younger children. However, teens are still developing. Key parts of the teenage brain are not yet fully formed, especially the parts involved in decision-making. As a result, teenagers may make choices that seem incomprehensible to adults. When minors use drugs, it can permanently alter their growing brains. That's why it's important to treat teenage drug addiction as soon as possible. Teens may be more likely than adults to fully recover from addiction. Early addiction treatment can set your teenager up for a lifetime of success.

2. Counseling is an important part of teen substance abuse treatment.

Counseling is an important part of any substance abuse treatment program, but this is especially true of programs geared toward teenagers. Teens can start using drugs for different reasons than adults. Teenagers may begin using drugs due to peer pressure or find it a thrill-seeking behavior. However, it's important to understand the root cause of your teenager's drug use.

Addiction counseling will help your child learn to express their feelings honestly and openly. When teens are able to express their feelings and needs, they can be less likely to turn to drugs. As part of a counseling program, an addiction therapist may encourage your teen to journal about their feelings. Uncovering feelings of sadness, anger, and shame can allow teenagers to deal with their feelings in ways that don't involve drug use.

3. Less emphasis is placed on physical withdrawal management.

Many drugs are physically addictive due to the changes they cause in a person's brain and body. When a person suddenly discontinues drug use, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Many substance abuse programs focus on managing these symptoms. However, many teenagers may face less risk of experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms than their adult counterparts. As such, teen substance abuse treatment programs generally focus on the psychological components of drug addiction.

For more information, contact a teen substance abuse clinic.


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