Sending a Child or Teen to a Rehab Center: What To Know
Legally, individuals aged 17 years or younger can be put into residential drug rehab without their consent. This can seem like a very harsh decision, but there are circumstances where parents may have no other choice. When the teen's life is at risk due to drug use, the resentment and anger that can result from forcing them into rehab is usually worth it. Keep in mind that a teen's brain is still developing—up to age 25—meaning that the damage done by drug and alcohol use may be lasting.
Does My Child Have an Addiction?
The first step to getting a child who may be addicted to drugs or alcohol help is making sure the problem is indeed a substance use disorder (the clinical term for addiction).
Because signs and symptoms of drug misuse and mental illness can overlap, it’s important to be sure a child has an addiction before forcing them into treatment. If not, it can harm the parent–child relationship. This is complicated further by the fact that many teens try to hide their substance use.1
Signs of Addiction
Parents who suspect drug misuse and addiction should watch for changes in their teens. Signs of drug and alcohol misuse can include:
- Changes in their social circles.
- Changes in their sleep schedule.
- Secretive or withdrawn behavior.
- Changes in hygiene or grooming habits.
- Unexplained weight gain or loss.
- Unusually large or small pupils.
- Health changes (such as feeling sick after staying out late).
- Sudden reduction in school or work performance.
- Bloodshot eyes.
- Presence of drug paraphernalia.
- Severe mood swings.
- Feelings of anxiety or paranoia.
- Lack of focus.
- Frequent lethargy.
- Increased aggression.
- Loss of interest in hobbies or extracurricular activities.
- Periods of agitation or bursts of energy followed by crashing.
Teen Drug Use vs. Mental Health Challenges: Recognizing the Difference
Some of these behaviors are also common symptoms of mental illnesses like depression, anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder. Others may even seem like normal teenage behavior.
However, it’s important to note that several of these signs observed together can point to a drug use problem.
It can also be helpful to understand the signs of alcohol use disorder or specific substance use disorders, such as stimulant use disorders or opioid use disorders, for example.
The percentage of adolescents reporting any illicit drug use in 2023, included 10.9% of 8th graders, 19.8% of 10th graders and 31.2% of 12th graders, according to the Monitoring the Future survey. The same survey also found that 15.1% of 8th graders, 30.6% of 10th graders, and 45.7% of 12th graders reported past year alcohol use.1
How to Identify the Signs of Drug Misuse
It’s also important to understand that drug misuse and drug addiction are not the same thing.
Drug misuse is defined as:
- Any use of an illegal drug.
- Use of any prescription drug beyond what is recommended by a doctor.
- The excessive use of legal intoxicants like alcohol (though for teens, this is also illegal use).
Drug misuse can lead to addiction, which involves the compulsive use of a substance despite the negative consequences it has on an individual’s life.
Stopping a teen from using drugs may be difficult for some parents. Once an addiction forms, however, cravings and withdrawal symptoms can make stopping substance use feel nearly impossible for them. At this point, treatment is needed.
Why call us?
Addiction Treatment for Teens
Teen drug rehab may take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting, depending on the needs of the teen.
Inpatient (Residential Treatment) for Teens
Inpatient care, often called residential treatment, means your teen lives at the facility full time for the duration of the program. Family members can usually visit teens at a residential treatment center, and may be encouraged to participate in family therapy, which can help improve trust and communication within the family unit.
Parents or caregivers may also be invited to take part in education programs that teach how to cope with life after rehab, including managing temptation, peer pressure, and cravings. These programs can also help parents learn how to support their kids through recovery and avoid enabling behaviors.
Outpatient Treatment for Teens
Outpatient treatment programs often look similar to inpatient programs but vary in intensity. Options can range from standard outpatient care to intensive outpatient treatment, which provides more hours of therapy and structure each week while still allowing teens to live at home. This flexibility makes outpatient care a good choice for those who don’t require 24/7 supervision but still need strong support.
Detox for Teens
Prior to beginning either an inpatient or outpatient comprehensive teen drug rehab program, some teens may undergo medically managed detoxification, which allows the body to rid itself of substances safely and as comfortably as possible.
Addressing the treatment of adolescents struggling with addiction is a particularly complex challenge within the realm of addiction care. Effective intervention requires a holistic approach that integrates both behavioral therapies and medical treatment, recognizing that both components are crucial for successful outcomes.
Behavioral therapies may include cognitive-behavioral approaches that help teens identify and modify harmful thought patterns and behaviors, while medical treatment can involve medication-assisted therapies to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Furthermore, establishing a comprehensive continuum of care is vital. This means providing ongoing support that extends beyond initial treatment—incorporating follow-up services, family involvement, and connections to community resources.
It is important to highlight these elements, as a robust integrated treatment plan can significantly improve the chances of recovery and long-term sobriety for adolescents facing the challenges of addiction. By addressing both the mental and physical aspects of the condition, we can better support these young individuals on their journey to healing.
Medications may be prescribed for anxiety, depression, insomnia, nausea, tremors, and other withdrawal symptoms.
Therapy and Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
After detox, rehab combines psychoeducation, counseling, behavioral therapies, and mutual-help groups, such as 12-Step programs—all intended to get to the causes of substance use, identify triggers, teach the teen to manage stressors without substance use, and prevent relapse.
Some teens may also struggle with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. In fact, research suggests that over 60% of adolescents in community-based substance use disorder treatment programs also meet the diagnostic criteria for another mental illness.2
Co-occurring disorder treatment programs address substance use and mental health disorders simultaneously, which leads to better treatment outcomes than treating the disorders separately.
Aftercare Options for Teens
Once rehab is complete, a teen’s recovery journey doesn’t just end.
Cravings may surface for many years, and peer pressure, temptations, and stress can make it difficult for your teen to avoid relapse.
It’s important that everyone in the family understands that addiction is not a personal failing, and that relapse does not mean that treatment failed.
Instead, it may mean that the individual requires additional aftercare treatment. Additionally, family and friend support, ongoing counseling and therapy, and regular participation in mutual-help groups can all help your teen sustain their recovery.
