Teen Recovery Programs

Teenagers and children often can become addicted to drugs or alcohol. With the onset of teen peer pressure, social environments, broken homes, divorce and other challenges facing today’s teenagers, drugs and alcohol have become one of the driving results that plague America’s youth. Here at 449 Recovery we have developed special programs that cater to teenagers. Part of the 449 plan has been assessed and developed specifically to target teenagers that are suffering from addiction.

Many teenagers may begin the process of experimentation with drugs and alcohol while they are young. As a result of this, they are very susceptible to addiction. Understanding and recognizing te signs of and the differences between substance abuse and addiction is not a simple task. To sum up the concept, substance abuse means using an illegal substance regularly and in excess or using a legal substance in the wrong way or differently than what is instructed or intended. An addiction begins long before the abuser realizes it. The addiction occurs when the teenager can no longer stop and feels the need to continue the abuse over and over again. Often the teenager feels a need to escape into the euphoria felt during the time they are using. Whether it is peer pressure or the desire to escape, today’s teenagers are facing more and more problems with drugs and alcohol. Having an addiction means that a person has no control over whether he or she uses drugs or drinks alcohol. For example, someone who is addicted to cocaine has grown so used to the drug that he or she has to have it all of the time and the craving for the drug becomes so intense it consumes the person, regardless of his or her age. An addiction can be physical or psychological, but in most cases it is both.

The 449 Recovery program has been custom tailored to fit the needs and expectations of today’s teenager. The group discussions and personal therapy must be presented in an appealing format that gains the interest of the teenager and allows them to identify particularly on an emotional level. Furthermore, interactions with the family are equally essential to an effective recovery program.

Some signs that you or someone you know may have a drug or alcohol addiction include:

Psychological signals:

use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to relax
withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends
loss of interest in activities that used to be important
problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences
changes in friendships, such as hanging out only with friends who use drugs
spending a lot of time figuring out how to get drugs
stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs
failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking
anxiety, anger, or depression
mood swings

Physical signals:

changes in sleeping habits
feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop
needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect
changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain

If you have any of these signs or signals or any of them seem to be prevalent in a teenager you know, seeking help is the right thing to do and should be your next step. Recognizing the problem is the first step to getting real help. Many teenagers and family members believe that they can deal with the situation on their own. Unfortunately, many parents find out much too late that they cannot. Dealing with a teenager who has an addiction is a situation that requires professional counseling help. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms or if you are concerned about someone you know who may have a substance abuse problem, then please contact us immediately.