Do you game or gamble too much? Or do you use alcohol or drugs to forget about your problems? Or maybe your parents are really worried about you and your use. You don’t have to solve it alone! Rehab for teens can help you.
What is an addiction?
Teenagers sometimes smoke a joint or drink alcohol. This is often out of curiosity. Therefore, it does not immediately mean they are addicted.
Your child is addicted if they are dependent on a habit. For example, on playing computer games. Or from using drugs or drinking alcohol. Addiction may be related to other social or emotional problems.
Why do young people get addicted?
Addiction is often linked to other problems. Most teenagers in rehab also have mental health problems. In addition, young people with mental health problems are more susceptible to addiction.
They have ADHD, ADD, autism, or a personality disorder. But depression, fear of failure or panic attacks are also reasons to start or continue using.
Signals to find out if your child has an addiction
How is your child actually doing? Take a look at the following signs. Maybe you didn’t associate this with substance use before?
It may be the case that your child has tried something. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it will immediately go wrong. Do you know when it is risky? Do you know which young people are more vulnerable when it comes to risky drinking or drug use?
These signs may be related to excessive use and incipient dependence. Note that these signs are sometimes also linked to puberty. It depends, of course, on how often you see the worrying behaviour and how long it persists.
The signals:
- Change of appearance:
Decreased concentration, weaker muscles, decreased coordination, laughter kick, eating kick, red eyes, frequent smell of hash or weed, decreased memory. - Change in behaviour:
Failing to keep appointments, absenteeism from school, worsened performance, avoidant behaviour, isolation, hanging out on the street, petty crime, unclear complaints, accidents, sleeping poorly, arriving late, having only friends who blow, or drink, reversing day and night rhythms, bumming money, not getting by with money. - Change in interests:
Changing clothes, appearance, music, circle of friends, focused on drugs, stopped leisure activities, indifference, talking frequently about substances, relationship problems. - Change of emotions:
Flattening, passivity, mood swings, gloominess, aggression, low energy, absent, withdrawal.
If the worrisome behaviour is visible for more than a month, it is time to have a calm and open conversation with your child. If the behaviour occurs frequently, ask yourself what this could be related to. What has changed for the young person? Is your child comfortable in his or her own skin? What is really keeping him or her busy? Do you have a good rapport? Are there other problems, such as anxiety, gloominess, or is your child not developing well? Be clear in what you expect from your child and see what you can agree on. For example, that someone will get up a bit more independently and arrive on time.
Tips on finding a suitable rehab for teens
- Make sure the treatment centre can offer safe detox and withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, and that your child is monitored around the clock until the drugs are safely out of his system. The team should be well trained and able to prescribe medication, if needed.
- Make sure the treatment centre or rehab centre has accreditations or licences required in your area. Such information is available to the public, so take a moment to call the licensing authority to confirm that the facility is indeed a member. Ask if any violations have been reported, or if any actions have been taken against the programme.
- A rehab for teens should be prepared to help children keep up with their schoolwork during treatment, which will ease the transition back to school after the programme ends.
- Do not hesitate to ask a lot of questions. A quality treatment centre will be happy to address your concerns.
- Counselling staff should be experienced and knowledgeable about the needs of teenagers. Moreover, they should have relevant, up-to-date credentials. Ask if the centre requires background checks from their employees.
- Make sure the rehab for teens has an aftercare programme, as returning to real life after treatment is difficult. A carefully planned aftercare programme will help your teen make better decisions and cope better with temptations, reducing the risk of relapse.
- Will the parents be able to contact the teenager? It is common and acceptable for treatment programmes to prohibit contact for the first few days, but an extended time without contact with your child is a red flag.
- Does the treatment centre offer one-to-one counselling sessions? Group therapy can be a positive experience, but over-reliance on group programmes may indicate that the centre is trying to cut costs. A quality treatment centre will offer both.
Help in overcoming an addiction for teens
Hacienda Paradiso is the world’s very first eco-rehab. Situated in Malaga, Spain, Hacienda Paradiso works with clients to end the cycle of addiction and behavioural problems in a completely eco-friendly atmosphere.
In contrast to the trend toward urbanisation and consumerism, many people are seeking an opportunity to get closer to nature, and Hacienda Paradiso is part of this movement. A stay at Hacienda Paradiso Luxury Rehab addresses all the benefits; physical, mental, and spiritual, that the environment can offer to those that develop a deep integral connection with nature.
