when to send teen to residential treatment

Full Answer

How do Teen transport services help teen drug rehabilitation?

Emotions often run high in arranging for a teen to leave home to go into a treatment program. Teen transport services are designed to help by providing safe transportation and a therapeutic transition to programs such as wilderness therapy, residential treatment centers (RTC) or residential drug treatment.

What happens to a teen when they go to rehab?

A teen in rehab will need support and love during this difficult time. Parents may also be invited to take part in education programs that teach addicted individuals how to cope with life after rehab, including how to deal with temptation and cravings.

How long does teen drug rehab last?

Treatment in an inpatient rehab program typically lasts for 7-10 weeks. Family members can usually visit regularly and are encouraged to do so. A teen in rehab will need support and love during this difficult time.

What do parents need to know about substance abuse treatment?

Parents need to research and balance things like distance from the home, specific philosophies, costs, types of treatment, etc. Residential rehab centers that keep clients in the facility for several weeks, 24 hours a day, can be expensive.

What to do if a professional or agency has referred you to a program?

If a professional or agency has referred you to a program, be sure to ask about the existence of any business relationship. If an agency is paid to refer students, can they be impartial?

What to do if a program is licensed?

If the program is licensed, be sure to ask what agency issued the license, and then confirm with that agency that the license remains valid and is appropriate to the situation you are considering.

Should parents have access to their children?

As a parent, you should have reasonable access to your child at any time and you should be the person to make important decisions. Be wary of any program that would restrict your ability to communicate with your child or that asks you to relinquish – even temporarily – any of your normal custodial rights.

How many teens use illicit drugs in 2014?

Teen use of illicit drugs is more common than many parents realize. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 27.2 percent of teens from grades 8-12 used an illicit drug at least once in 2014. Additionally, 19.4 percent of high school seniors reported binge drinking that year.

What are the symptoms of a teenager?

Increased aggression. Loss of interest in hobbies or extracurricular activities. Unexplained agitation or increase in energy followed by a crash. Some of these are symptoms of mental illness like depression, anxiety disorders, or bipolar disorder. Others are just signs of being a teenager.

How to tell if a child is addicted to drugs?

Parents who suspect drug abuse and addiction should keep an eye out for the signs: 1 Staying out late 2 Change in social circles 3 Changes in sleep schedule 4 Secretive or withdrawn behavior 5 Changes in hygiene or grooming habits 6 Unexplained weight change 7 Unusually large or small pupils 8 Health changes (feeling sick after staying out late) 9 Sudden reduction in ability to meet school responsibilities 10 Bloodshot eyes 11 Drug paraphernalia 12 Severe mood swings 13 Anxiety and paranoia 14 Decrease in ability to focus 15 Frequent unexplained lethargy 16 Increased aggression 17 Loss of interest in hobbies or extracurricular activities 18 Unexplained agitation or increase in energy followed by a crash

How to get an addicted child to help?

The first step to getting an addicted child help is to make sure the problem is indeed addiction. Symptoms of drug abuse and symptoms of mental illness often overlap, and forcing a child into addiction treatment when there is no addiction can cause serious damage to the parent-child relationship. This is complicated by the fact ...

What are the signs of drug abuse?

Parents who suspect drug abuse and addiction should keep an eye out for the signs: Some of these are symptoms of mental illness like depression, anxiety disorders, or bipolar disorder. Others are just signs of being a teenager. However, several of these symptoms together can point to a drug abuse problem.

How many addiction treatment centers are there in the US?

There are over 14,500 addiction treatment centers in the US alone, each with its own philosophy and set of treatment programs.

Why do kids resist drug rehab?

Underage people are more likely to resist treatment due to a lack of experience and foresight regarding how addiction will make transitioning into adulthood extremely difficult as well as how much drug abuse ...

Explaining Residential Treatment Centers

Explaining what a residential treatment center is and what they do is likely the first thing you will need to explain. As there are many resources for troubled teens such as wilderness programs, residential treatment centers, boot camps, and more, many people are unaware of the difference between the programs.

Overcoming Questions Concerning Your Parenting

Unfortunately, many of the questions parents face concern their ability as parents. While you have no obligation to answer any probing questions, there are some graceful ways to overcome questions concerning your parenting.

What Is a Teen Transport Service?

Emotions often run high in arranging for a teen to leave home to go into a treatment program. Teen transport services are designed to help by providing safe transportation and a therapeutic transition to programs such as wilderness therapy, residential treatment centers (RTC) or residential drug treatment .

What Happens When a Teen Is Transported?

Escort services vary in their specific approaches and procedures, but most share a similar overall strategy that takes place during five primary steps:

Does the Transport Team Come in the Middle of the Night?

Sometimes they do and this is the image most parents have of teen escort services, but it is not the only option.

Are Physical Restraints Used to Transport Teens?

These services have somewhat of a reputation for handling teens aggressively, but this appears to be the exception rather than the rule. Initially, these companies were set up to handle only potentially combative or difficult teens, but now these services have expanded to be more supportive of both teens and parents.

When Is Using a Teen Transportation Service Appropriate?

The decision to use transport services to get a teen into a treatment program has to be made carefully by a parent, based on knowing your teen and learning about the services available.

Why don't teens go to residential treatment?

Their reasons may surprise you. They may think they’ll miss too much school or be afraid they’ll miss their friends. They may be embarrassed by their diagnosis and the fact they have a mental health or addiction issue. Or they may think their time in residential treatment will reflect poorly on their permanent record and prevent them from getting into the college of their choice. It’s your job to anticipate and have answers to all of these questions and concerns. And again – that’s why you’re reading this article: you need to have solid, fact-based answers ready.

Do people with mental health need residential treatment?

Affirm for them that, in some cases, people with mental health or alcohol/substance use disorders need to go to residential treatment, in the same way that, in some cases, people with physical disorders or conditions need to go stay in the hospital. Make sure they know that experienced doctors with years of knowledge and experience think that residential treatment can help – and that they should listen to those doctors just like they should listen the doctor’s advice when they have an accident or an illness.

How to Help a Teen Refusing Treatment

Teenagers with mental health or severe personality disorders struggle to manage thoughts and behaviors that get them in trouble. Combine that with parents who have tried everything to help their troubled teen and there doesn’t seem to be a “one size fits all” solution for anyone involved.

The Last Resort for Teens Refusing to Enter a Residential Treatment Program?

While most teens eventually agree to go to a residential treatment center, some with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder may become physically aggressive over refusing treatment.

Does Your Child Need Help?

Has your child's behavior changed? Are you worried your child has given up? Is your child acting out or engaging in self-destructive behaviors? We can help you find the right therapeutic residential program.