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Finding Treatment for Addicted Teens

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

When my daughter was spinning out of control from her addiction, there were difficult decisions to be made. One of the most frustrating things was seeking treatment options for her. I spent a lot of time, effort, and money on programs that did not work — before finding a successful solution.

Failed attempt number one began when I called the number on the back of my insurance card and followed the recommendation to admit Lauren into an adolescent psychiatric hospital. Most of their patients were there for severe mental and emotional problems that required medication. They were not prepared to take on a case like Lauren and made many suggestions that were actually detrimental, like suggesting I send her away to spend time with relatives after her release. Even with ongoing counseling, once she returned home, she was back to business as usual.

The second attempt was a local hospital offering an outpatient substance abuse program. This was equally dismal since their primary strategy for helping her was telling her she needed to change her ways. When the head counselor informed me they were kicking her out of the program because she was still using drugs and supplying them to other patients, I fought back. Why did they think I had her there in the first place? Weren’t they supposed to be the experts?

There were several more attempts before we happened upon a program specifically for adolescents. They educated Lauren about her illness — alcoholism —and provided treatment that addressed the total disease and focused on a long-term recovery game plan and treatment for the whole family. I am grateful I did not give up and that I searched for a solution that worked, because in the end it paid off.

For too many treatment facilities, recovery is a business. Typically, the first person you speak with will be someone who is good at marketing the programs’ services to you. Consider the fact that treatment for adolescents has its unique challenges in that teens are developmentally different from adults. The part of the brain that understands consequences is not fully developed until the early twenties, so teens do not fully comprehend the imminent consequences of their substance abuse. Also, teens are greatly influenced by their peers, and friends’ opinions often carry more weight than yours or any other adults’, so it is important that peer group therapy be part of the program. Most important, just like adults, treatment for teens needs to address the entire disease of addiction and how it negatively affects the body, mind, and spirit. (Most twelve-step programs take this approach.)

Here are some questions to ask when considering a treatment center:

1. Is the program specifically designed for addicted adolescents?
2. Does the program include treatment for the entire family?
3. Does the program include treatment for the entire disease — physical, emotional, and spiritual?
4. What evidence can they provide that their program is successful with young people?
5. How does the program provide aftercare for ongoing recovery?

Posted by Karen Franklin | Filed under Addiction, Alcohol, Dealing with an Addicted Child, Family Therapy, Finding Treatment, Recovery, Treatment

We went through the same process as you when we first discovered the severity of our son’s addiction. It is so hard because you are so emotionaly distraught that you are grasping. Our biggest problem was we didn’t even know the questions to ask let alone put ourselves in a position to make a rational decision.

Thank you for 5 basic questions. I’m sure they will help others that are facing the same decisions.

ps.: those 800 numbers on the back of an insurance card, I can’t think of a way to say what I think without being insulting to the insurance sompanies so I will not say anything.

Thanks Ron, It is so true that you are so completely distraught and disoriented that it is hard to know where to turn. There are so many options now that can also add to the confusion. It is so important for us to reach out and help one another.

Cool, hip new film youth speaking truth to other youth in recovery. Please have a look.
http://www.12recovery.com/

There may be over 1000 programs with websites on the internet. They all sound good! The way we found programs for our son is by hiring an educational consultant. The consultant is expensive, but looks at the individual needs of the at risk teen and then recommends only programs that have been checked out and approved.

When seeking treatment for my 16yo daughter whom was addicted to heroin, I first started with her doctor. Having not been given any resources, I turned to our insurance. They were wonderful in locating the only 100% covered adolescent treatment facility. She did 21 days, and we continue with ongoing counseling, meeting, and support. The only negative side was only having one option. There really needs to be more inpatient facilities that cover adolescent addiction and not just be for 18 years and up. Every day is a blessing we have our daughter still with us, and encourage so many parents out there to not give up even when your teen has given up on themselves.

Your article is very helpful. The 5 questions to ask is a huge help to many of us parents who are feeling lost, confused and unsure how to help our teens.

Hi Pat, Thank you for adding the last two questions. It was devastating when my daughter was kicked out of rehab. Just because she was in treatment, it didn’t mean she was ready to get sober. It is good to know up front exactly what to expect.

Hi my nephew that is 19 is currently in jail and has been doing heroing for about 6months to a year he can be bailed out and wants me to but he has no job,no car,no money his mom my sister passed away a year ago yesterday and his real dad is a waste and has very little to do with him so in the end im the only one that cares enough to try and get him clean hes been in jail for about 20days and has a little more than a month to go if I dont bail him out and I have very little money to help with treatment and the ones I have checked into he either needs to be intoxicated at the time he goes in or has to have 3 failed attempts at treatment before he could go into a halfway house My husband will not let him live here because he sold everything of his moms and he steals and admits that he will steal. Im lost not sure what to do hes getting mad now because he wants me to do his taxes and get him out and Im only answering his calls 1 a day I cant afford to pay for them. help any suggestions. This is causing me and my husband to have problems because I feel that my sister would want me to help him but not sure whats best for him and I live in utah I cant find anything he says he wants to work when he gets out of jail but he has nowhere to live while he works and saves money for a place. Hes lost 2 cars and his apartment I was paying his rent and couldnt afford it and everyone told me he needed to learn to live on his own. This is his 1st attempt at getting clean but hes had no choice hes been locked up. He used the night before he got picked up on 2 warrants.

Gordon - It is a great thing you are doing by standing by your nephew. Keep searching for help because you may be closer than you think to finding him some help. It sounds like he might be coming to the end of himself which is probably a good thing. Sometimes we can step in too soon. Being in a blended family with addicted children, I dealt with what you are going through with your husband. I prayed a lot and had the help of a great sponsor to help me through. There is a lot of good information on this site and working a 12 step program for families of alcoholics and addicts helped me so much. It was just too much for me to deal with alone.

what is this sponsor thing everyone is talking about. I still cant find a program for him and dont want him to end up back on the streets.

If you would like you are welcome to email me at http://www.karen@addictedlikeme.com and I will share some information about sponsorship with you.

Sorry, my email address did not come through last time. Let’s try it again. If it doesn’t work, you can go to our website and click on the contact information.

When my kids were out there using, I needed to get help for me before I could help them. I attended a program for families of alcoholics and asked someone who had time and experience in the program to be my sponsor. I was in so much pain and fear at the time and she helped me to let go of trying to control the situation. I also met people that had gone through what I was experiencing who helped point me to solutions for my family.

* He is addicted to drugs! Addiction is a primary disease, a brain disease.
* Do not allow the disease to move into your home.
* Stop the flow of money.
* Provide him with treatment options:
A. http://www.teenchallenge.com
B. http://www.salvationarmy.org
C. http://www.agrm.org
D. http://www.addictionresourceguide.com
* Consult a counselor who has her/his designation in alcohol or other drugs( CADC, LADC etc. ).
* Tell him he is loved, forgiven but you support recovery “period”
* Educate yourself on the disease of addiction:
A. No More Letting Go by Debra Jay
* Join a support group:
A. http://www.familiesanonymous.org (they have online meetings)
B. Attend a open AA meeting
C. Go to an Al-Anon meeting
D. http://www.codependentanonymous.org

We found hiring an Educational Consultant to be a priceless investment. Our insurance offered 2 one week hospital stays (a couple of months apart), two intensive out-patient programs, and two 21 day in-patient programs all of them a waste of time and over a 4 month period. Our sons drug/alcohol addiction began at 15 and he learned more about drugs and even found dealers in the short rehabs. He is currently in a one year program that began with a 4 month wilderness program . Family workshops are required every 3 months. The addict is taught life skills, a twelve step program is followed, education is continued (high school or college), and the residents hold each other accountable for their actions which really seems to be effective. What I found interesting was listening to the residents sharing their horror stories of 21-30 day programs…drugs were used in the programs, connections were made for when they got out, and that is what insurance pays for! It’s a problem because the long term care is expensive but, research shows that is what works. Many substance abuse experts are also reporting that transition programs after long term care are essential. Too bad insurance companies won’t consider really helping kids with addiction.

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