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Rehab Centers for Teens

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Group of young people/ teens talking to a psychologist in a rehab center

Published: October 3, 2024

Reviewed by Matthew N. Parker, MD

The need for teen-specific rehab centers is more prevalent than ever due to the unique challenges teenagers face when dealing with substance abuse and mental health. Ensuring these challenges are addressed when choosing a treatment program for your teen is essential to best support their recovery.

From peer pressure to ever-changing emotions to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, teens often see substances as a way to ease discomfort, fit in, and cope with tough feelings. Unfortunately, trying substances as a coping mechanism can often lead to repeated use, misuse, and addiction.

Read on to learn about specialized teen rehab programs, different types of treatment for teen substance abuse, and what to consider when deciding on the right program for your child.

Why Teens Need Specialized Rehab Programs

Substance abuse treatment for teens is often drastically different compared to that of adults. Some of the most prominent differences in teen vs. adult addiction treatment include:

  • Development: Teenagers’ brains are still developing, meaning they interpret information differently than adults and may need treatment that emphasizes emotional versus logical reasoning.
  • Family Inclusion: Most teen programs integrate the adolescent’s family in their recovery experience, whereas adult rehabs tend to focus on the individual.
  • Involuntary Involvement: Many teens enter addiction rehab involuntarily, which can make it more difficult to get through to them compared to adults who willingly seek help.
  • Academics: Adolescents attending rehab are often still in school, making it necessary for rehab programs to incorporate ways to continue their education while in treatment.
  • Age-Appropriate Approaches: Teens and adults often abuse substances for different reasons. Specialized rehabs for teens that address age-appropriate issues, such as peer pressure, boredom, the need to fit in, and family dynamics, can offer an effective approach to treatment.

Types of Treatment Offered at Teen Rehab Centers

There is a variety of treatment options and types for teens struggling with addiction.

Treatment Options

Some of the most common addiction recovery options for teens include:

  • Detox: Attending a detox center is typically recommended if a teenager is heavily addicted to a substance and at risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped. Detox facilities offer medical monitoring throughout the withdrawal process.
  • Inpatient: Inpatient rehabs are residential treatment centers where young people live for some time, typically 30 to 90 days. Adolescents participate in various forms of wellness and recovery treatment every day and are monitored closely by healthcare professionals and substance abuse and mental health experts.
  • Outpatient: Options such as intensive outpatient programs (IOP) or partial hospitalization programs (PHP) offer daily therapy and rehab services but allow teens to return home in the evenings. This option is often recommended for those who haven’t escalated to full-blown addiction.

Teen-Specific Recovery Therapies

Young adults attending an outpatient or inpatient rehab may participate in a variety of therapies aimed at addressing the unique needs of this age group. Common therapy modalities used in teen rehab treatment centers include:

  • Family Therapy: This therapy approach involves family members in addressing teen alcohol and drug addiction. It often focuses on improving relationships and communication within the family.
  • Group Therapy: Group therapy involves therapy sessions with several individuals at once coping with similar issues like self-harm or behavioral health conditions. This type of therapy offers accountability and support from others and can help reduce feelings of isolation.
  • Adventure Therapy: Adventure therapy, or experiential therapy, focuses on therapeutic outdoor activities aimed to improve a person’s well-being and sense of self.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is an evidence-based treatment modality for substance addiction and focuses on changing or reframing a person’s thoughts and actions related to stressors and how they cope with them.

Other types of traditional therapies often seen in American teen treatment centers include dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

Holistic and Alternative Therapies

Some substance use disorder treatment centers for teens also offer holistic or alternative therapies. For example, art therapy is an alternative therapy that helps teens dealing with addiction and mental health issues express difficult emotions they may have trouble verbalizing. Equine therapy is a holistic therapy type sometimes used to foster a sense of responsibility and usefulness among teens.

How to Choose the Right Rehab Center for a Teen

Choosing a teen rehab center best catered to your loved one’s unique needs can support their recovery and success.

Here are factors to consider when selecting a drug rehab center:

  • The teen-specific treatment services offered
  • Whether individualized treatment plans are used
  • The reputation and success of the licensed treatment providers who work at the facility
  • The mental health treatment offered, such as specialized interventions for co-occurring disorders
  • The amenities and services available to attendees

Additionally, accreditation is an important factor to consider when selecting a teen treatment facility. Rehabs with strong reputations are often accredited by one or many national organizations such as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and The Joint Commission.

The following are questions to ask when inquiring about an adolescent substance use treatment program:

  • Is your rehab center accredited? If so, by whom?
  • Do you treat dual diagnosis in teenagers?
  • What levels of care are offered?
  • What health services will be available to my loved one?
  • What types of therapy are incorporated into your program?
  • Is academic support available?
  • Are support groups part of your drug abuse treatment program?
  • Do you provide both inpatient and outpatient treatment, or just one of those?

The Role of Education in Teen Rehab Centers

Some teen rehabs incorporate education into their recovery programs. This is often done by providing opportunities to continue school during rehab or work on assignments related to what teens were learning in school before treatment. Addiction professionals may also integrate school-related coping skills in therapy sessions to teach adolescents how to handle their academic workloads without resorting to substances to cope.

Some options offered at teen treatment facilities include:

  • Educational Programs: This may include distance learning or self-study.
  • Tutors: Teens may utilize tutors to stay on top of their schoolwork and get help with assignments.
  • Testing Preparation Classes: Some rehabs offer SAT or ACT prep courses.

Family Involvement in Teen Rehab

Family is often a young person’s primary foundation of support, making family involvement a critical component of success in recovery. Family members can provide supportive relationships that can be crucial to the hope and motivation of teens recovering from addiction.

The following are ways that family members can support an adolescent’s recovery journey:

  • Encouraging the teen to take recovery seriously and actively participate in the rehab program
  • Modeling healthy coping strategies and behaviors
  • Providing a nurturing and stable home environment when the teen returns home after treatment
  • Offering emotional support and acceptance when talking to the teen about their journey and struggles
  • Providing expressions of recognition and praise for any progress the teen makes

Ways you can prepare your family and support your teen once they complete rehab include:

  • Establishing clear expectations of the teen and their behavior
  • Incorporating daily routines that provide the teen with a sense of accomplishment
  • Ensuring no substances of abuse or alcohol are in the home
  • Remaining patient with the teen’s recovery process
  • Encouraging the teen to attend 12-step or other support groups

Success Rates and Challenges in Teen Rehab

Success in a teenage rehab program doesn’t always mean lifelong abstinence. While this is certainly the goal and can be accomplished, many teens experience other types of success as well.

Examples of success following adolescent addiction treatment include:

  • Improved mental health
  • Decreased mental health symptoms, such as depression and anxiety
  • Reduced or diminished urges to use substances
  • Established healthy coping skills for dealing with teen-specific life stressors
  • Short-term and long-term sobriety
  • Willingness to participate in an aftercare program to further their recovery success

Every teen’s recovery and success will be unique, so family members need to remain open-minded and support the teen even if slip-ups occur.

Common Teen-Specific Recovery Challenges

Teens face several unique challenges when in rehab and after they leave. Some of these include:

  • Underlying mental health issues that have not been diagnosed and may interfere with a teen’s ability to succeed in recovery.
  • Shame and stigma related to seeking help for addiction and maintaining sobriety after treatment.
  • Peer pressure to go back to using substances after the completion of a rehab program.
  • Immaturity, which can lead to making impulsive decisions without thinking through the consequences.
  • Limited access to resources like transportation, which can hinder a teen from attending support groups or therapy after rehab.

To help overcome these challenges and promote lasting sobriety, teens can get involved in resources like 12-step programs and other addiction-related support groups.

Cost and Insurance Considerations

Considering the cost of teen rehab is an important factor when determining where to send your child for addiction help.

Some common statistics related to recovery program costs include:

  • The average cost for adolescent outpatient treatment in 2022 was $3,278.
  • The average cost for inpatient treatment in 2022 was $9,766.
  • In 2022, drug courts cost individuals an average of $5,083.
  • Thirty-day inpatient programs typically range from $5,000 to $20,000.
  • Sixty to 90-day programs typically cost between $12,000 and $60,000, with the average being $36,000.

If you or your loved one holds health insurance such as Medicaid or personal policies, there’s a good chance that some or all of a teen rehab program will be covered. For example, all insurance plans obtained through Marketplace cover behavioral health treatment, behavioral and mental health inpatient treatment, and substance abuse treatment. Everyone’s plan is different in terms of exactly what and how much is covered, so it’s important to become familiar with your unique coverage.

In addition to insurance, there may be other options available to help fund your loved one’s stay in addiction treatment.

Some of these options may include:

  • Financial aid for rehab
  • Teen rehab scholarships
  • Payment plans offered through the rehab center

Once you select the best treatment program for your teen, reach out to the rehab’s financial department to inquire about the above options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions related to rehab programs for teenagers:

What is the rehab process like for teens?

In most cases, the legal guardian of the teenager will inquire about rehab programs and determine the best program for their child. Once a center has been chosen, the parent may work with their insurance company to find out available coverage or contact the program’s financial department to find out about payment options.

After the program and payment have been determined, a rehab representative may reach out to the parent or teen to learn more about their substance history and needs. The representative will then schedule the teen’s intake based on availability in the program. The representative may also recommend or require the teen to first attend a detox center if one is not part of the treatment program.

How long do teens typically stay in an addiction treatment program?

How long a teen stays in a treatment program will depend on the type of program and the individual’s unique needs. For example, inpatient addiction rehabs typically consist of a 30-day stay.

What are common substances teens go to rehab for?

There are several types of substances a teenager may become addicted to.

The most commonly abused substances by teens include:

  • Nicotine vapes
  • Cannabis
  • Alcohol
  • Amphetamines
  • Narcotics such as opioids

Find Rehab Centers for Teens in Your Area

Teens often require specialized programs to help them recover and stay sober from drugs and alcohol. Taking the time to ensure you find the right option for your teen can assist in their overall success. If you’re looking for more information on teen rehabilitation programs, reach out to our helpline today.

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