One of the smartest things parents can do, experts say, is to get educated aboutscience-based recovery programs for teen substance abuse.
You can learn the principles of effective treatment – written by independent, national addiction medicine experts.
1. Get an independent assessment.
If these experts are not available in your area, look for a licensed mental health counselor with a masterʼs degree and experience with teen addiction.
The assessment should evaluate the severity of your teenʼs problem, including signs of abuse and dependence – as well as your childʼs strengths, mental and physical health, juvenile justice involvement, peer relations, school functioning and other issues. This will determine the level of intervention and resources needed for your childʼs recovery.
“You cannot force an adult treatment model onto a teenager. There are too many differences,” says Ken Winters, Director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota. Winters is a consultant for the National Institute on Drug Abuse and helped author treatment guidelines for the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, which notes: “Adolescent treatment is more focused on acting out behaviors, family dynamics, education, appropriately separating oneself from his or family, and peer issues. For day programs, inhouse schooling is provided. Adolescent programs routinely use group therapy since teenagers are peer-focused, and respond well to group dynamics.”Call adolescent programs in your area to find out the age cut-off (some programs accept young adults up to age 25). You can also contact the national Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP, operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or get independent treatment referrals by callingdrugrehab.org, 888-957-3422.
Examples of evidence-based practices include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is well-proven to help people in recovery change their thinking patterns, cope with drug cravings and prevent relapse. Contingency Management and Motivational Interviewing are other evidence-based approaches. These can decrease a teenʼs ambivalence about drugs, using incentives to quit smoking or stop drug and alcohol use.
Behavioral interventions that have been shown to be effective include the Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), which helps teens replace bad influences with healthier social, family, job, and educational reinforcers. Evidence-based care may also include a variety of family therapy interventions and 12-step facilitation therapy (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous) to extend treatment gains andsupport long-term recovery.
5. Look for care that addresses the whole person.
Many teenagers who use drugs and alcohol have co-occurring mental or behavioral health issues (such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, etc.). The best treatment will address any “dual diagnosis” issues and provide an individualized recovery plan for your childʼs unique mental and physical needs.
“Programs should either have staff with specific mental health training, or have a partnership with clinicians who can provide these services,” says George Youngblood, CEO of Teen and Family Services, a Texas-based nonprofit recovery program for adolescents.
Individual and group counseling may be modified based on the clientʼs cognitive deficits, vulnerabilities or level of social support needed. A successful program delivers interventions at different stages of recovery and has a solid relapse prevention plan — since higher rates of relapse are associated with dual diagnosis.
6. Know the standards for experienced staff.
Ask how often your teen will meet with a counselor, and know the staff-to-client ratio. Effective care is multi-disciplinary and integrated; in residential settings, that includes a full-time Medical Director certified in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry; fulltime nursing staff; and qualified substance abuse counselors, case managers and certified nutritionists.
7. Residential care is not the only option.
8. Find help near home.
Itʼs best to establish treatment close to home, since a good teen program includes regular family involvement, says Winters, the Director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research.
To locate services in your area, ask your childʼs physician, school nurse, church or othercommunity resource such as a juvenile social worker.
You can also use the national Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator, provided bythe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/TreatmentLocator/faces/quickSearch.jspx. Or call SAMHSAʼs Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (English & Español). Another hotline offering free, independent referrals 24/7 is operated by drugrehab.org, 888-957-3422.
If your community has limited resources, ask for help coordinating the care your child needs – for example, referrals to mental health counselors, peer mentors, self-help groups, sober college dormitories, etc. And if the only treatment option is residential care out-of-state, ask how the family can be actively involved in your teenʼs recovery.
9. Select treatment that engages the family.
Research shows that having a strong support network improves the chances of longterm recovery. Family members can motivate the teen to complete treatment, help schedule therapy appointments, and provide ongoing support for healthy living habits and relapse prevention.
Youngblood says parents should expect a clearly defined treatment plan with goals andobjectives, and a discharge plan that supports recovery.
10. Continue treatment gains with a strong “after care” program.
Addresses questions about residential treatment for a child with emotional and behavioral challenges. Published by Building Bridges, a national family support initiative.