Addiction Treatment for Teens

Adolescent Addiction Treatment

One of the most important decisions any parent can make involves how to help their child who has become lost in the world of addiction. 

Do you have a son or daughter aged 13 to 17 who struggles with a substance use disorder? Zenith Behavioral Health in Phoenix, Arizona, knows what it takes to help your young family member not only recover from addiction to drugs or alcohol but thrive in a new, healthy life. Our proven addiction treatment methods for teens help each teenager find hope and get their future back into focus.

teen addiction treatment phoenix arizona

Teens and Addiction

Sadly, teens and addiction have been a common combination for generations. Unfortunately, today’s teenagers have easier access to drugs, making it more of a risk that they may develop a substance use disorder. Because of this, getting professional adolescent addiction treatment for teenagers is important in order to stop the cycle. 

Why Do Adolescents Use Drugs? 

Adolescents begin experimenting with drugs for different reasons. For some, it’s the curiosity that comes with the age combined with innocence that means they don’t have the life experience yet to know how dangerous this can be. What may start out as having a good time can quickly become a full-blown addiction.

For many teens, peer pressure comes into play. They may have friends and other peers who use drugs and put pressure on them to join them. In the interest of feeling they fit in, they may start using narcotics. 

Genetics can also come into play. Someone with a family history of addiction has a higher chance of becoming addicted to drugs than someone who does not have that history. Additionally, teens living in a violent or emotionally trying home environment may also use drugs as a way to escape emotional pain.

Most Commonly Used Drugs by Teenagers

While teenagers may use any type of drug, or even a combination of them, certain ones prove more popular than others in their age group. These include:

  • Marijuana
  • Cocaine
  • Stimulants
  • Opioids
  • Prescription drugs
  • Crystal meth
  • MDMA
  • DXM (an ingredient commonly found in cough syrup)

How to Find Out if Your Teenager is Using Drugs

Teenagers can be mysterious by nature. As they begin to transition into adulthood, they start to want more privacy for themselves. Unfortunately, they may also be hiding the fact that they have begun using drugs. Some typical signs and symptoms may occur that clue parents into what’s going on. These include:

  • Isolating
  • Red eyes or flu-like symptoms
  • Hanging around with new friends
  • Loss of interest in hobbies and pastimes
  • Performing poorly in school 
  • Possessing drug paraphernalia
  • Acting secretively
  • Moodiness
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Having hiding places in their bedroom or car

How to Handle Teenage Drug Use 

If you realize your child uses drugs, how you react sets the stage for what happens next. The first step involves speaking to the child when you are in a calm place and you know they are not under the influence. Let them know that what they are doing is both unhealthy and a sign that they need help. Let them know you are on their side and want to help them remove the need to use drugs so they can become healthy again.

When it comes to deciding on treatment, do your homework. Contact teen addiction treatment facilities and ask what services they provide. Make sure they are skilled at treating adolescents for both addiction and any co-occurring mental illnesses they may have. Check with your insurance company to find out what treatment it covers. Most plans offer coverage for different types of addiction treatment programs for teenagers.

How Does an Adolescent Addiction Treatment Center Work?

A quality adolescent addiction treatment program works by using several approaches to help teens heal from drug abuse. Multiple types of therapy modalities can be employed, all of which offer a way for young people to recognize their sickness and learn the tools they need to overcome it. Types of therapy include individual, group, and family. 

Adolescents attending this type of program will reside at the treatment center for a period of time. This allows them to get away from negative influences and focus on becoming sober. It also allows the treatment team to get to know each individual and understand how to help them. 

If the adolescent also deals with a mental health disorder, which is quite common, they can also receive skilled treatment for that. At our treatment facility in Arizona, we offer a variety of therapies as well as medication management as needed to help with a multitude of mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Benefits of Addiction Treatment for Teens

Parents who send their teenagers to residential adolescent addiction treatment want to make sure the benefits make it worth it. For one thing, peer support can prove quite beneficial. Many teenagers have spent time surrounded by bad influences and a lot of drug use. A residential program surrounds them with peers who have similar experiences and unite in overcoming the challenge of addiction.

Another benefit involves the focused care that comes from professionals in the field of addiction treatment. The staff knows how to communicate with and treat adolescents and supervises them as they move through the stages of recovery. 

Programs that include vocational training help set up young people for a bright future. When the haze of drug usage disappears, it makes it easier for kids to work with the staff to identify their interests in careers and schooling choices. From there, they can begin training or set goals for getting and keeping a job down the road.

Help Your Adolescent Child Begin Addiction Treatment in Phoenix, AZ

Do you need to help your child get help for their addiction to drugs or alcohol? Zenith Behavioral Health provides expert care given by professional clinicians trained to treat adolescents who struggle with substance use disorders. Additionally, we treat any co-occurring mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Our residential program gives your child a safe place to begin healing. 

If you need answers about adolescent addiction treatment, visit our admissions page now. Our friendly admissions staff is happy to answer any questions you have about our program.

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Has your child’s life become ruled by addiction, and do you feel ready to help them take back the reins? Our adolescent addiction treatment center in Phoenix, AZ, can help. Call (602) 847-9887 or fill out the confidential callback form below and learn how we can help your child live a life free from addiction.