Long term drug rehab can range from 90 days to 2 years. Most often this will happen in a residential program. These programs are highly recommended for teens with addictions. They can provide for the specific needs teens and young adults have in addiction treatment.
Drug and alcohol abuse amongst teens is a growing concern. The damage drugs can cause on young bodies that have not yet fully developed is a major concern. The human body does not fully develop until the age of 30 which means teens and young adults abusing drugs can do real harm to themselves physically. The physical concerns along with social, psychological, and educational concerns are the reasons long term drug rehab is essential for teens.
Benefits of Long Term Drug Rehab for Teens
One of the primary benefits of long term drug rehab for teens is the social impact. A residential long term program removes the teen from the environment where the drug use is happening. The friends, situations, and pressures are big influencers in a teen’s life. Removing these can be the first step in stopping drug use. The other social impact is in relationships. More specifically, relationships with family. Long term drug rehab typically includes a family component to allow for communication, healing and forgiveness. This is a vital part of treatment for teens as drug and alcohol abuse can be indicative of unhealthy patterns within the family. Focusing on the family dynamic will shed light on these patterns and start the healing process.
The psychological factors for teens and addiction are also a focus in long term drug rehab. Teens are at risk for co-occurring disorders which need specific treatment. Co-occurring disorder refers to a psychiatric diagnosis being present alongside an addiction. Once the drug use has ceased, any other psychological factors the teen is dealing with will rise to the surface. Trained clinicians within the residential program can help in identifying and treating these psychological diagnoses. Behavioral therapy is also an important aspect of the psychological piece of long term drug rehab. This therapy works with the teen on how to live in sobriety, identify the triggers that lead to the drug use, and find alternate methods for handling these triggers as a replacement to drug use.
Finally, a key element of long term drug rehab for teens is education. Continuing education while in treatment for addiction can help build confidence and provide for a better transition after treatment is over. Education is often a casualty of drug addiction. Teen and young adults may drop out of high school or college as a result of drug use. Getting back on track with education will provide a momentum for success in sobriety.
With so many factors involved in drug addiction and treatment in teens and young adults, long term drug rehab is the best option. It provides the time necessary to address the social, psychological and educational needs of the addict. Repairing relationships with family along with removing the social pressures teens face are key in the recovery process. The psychological complexity calls for time to identify, treat, and learn new skills. Getting a teen back on track with educational goals provides for a more solid re-entry into life after treatment. Addressing all these areas takes time and the only way to have lasting sobriety is to put in the time.
