The Qualities and Benefits of Teen Alcohol Rehab Programs

It’s no secret that teen alcohol abuse is a prevalent problem in the United States (and in many other nations as well). Though some parents still harbor the mistaken belief that “only” drinking alcohol is OK for teenagers, the truth is that alcohol abuse can be just as dangerous as any other form of teen drug abuse.

 

In addition to the many health risks associated with teen alcohol abuse, teens who drink also have an increased likelihood of struggling in school, experiencing mental health problems and dying in an automobile accident.

 

In short, teen alcohol abuse is far from a harmless. 

 

There is some good news, though: For adolescents and teenagers who do engage in alcohol abuse and/or other forms of teen drug abuse, effective professional treatment at a teen alcohol rehab program can help them end these dangerous behaviors and resume their pursuit of a drug-free future.

On April 6, 2011, The Partnership at Drugfree.org (the organization formerly known as The Partnership for a Drug-Free America) released the results of the 22nd annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Survey. Created in conjunction with MetLife Foundation, the study revealed the following about teen alcohol abuse:

 

* Of teens who reported alcohol use, 62% said they had their first full drink of alcohol by age 15.

* Of those teens who reported alcohol use 25% said they drank a full alcoholic drink for the first time by the time they were 12 year old.

* 45% of all teens reported they do not see a “great risk” in heavy daily teen alcohol abuse.

* 31% of teens strongly disapprove of teens their age abusing alcohol

* 73 percent of teens report having friends who drink alcohol at least once a week.

 

“These findings should serve as a call to action for parents,” Dennis White, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation, said in an April 6, 2011, press release on the Partnership’s website.

In many cases, residential treatment is the best option for young people who have been struggling with teen alcohol abuse. The following are three common and effective forms of residential treatment for teen alcohol abuse:

 

* Residential drug rehab programs for teens

* Therapeutic boarding schools for teens

* Therapeutic wilderness programs for teens

 

Though each of these types of programs offers unique benefits, and each is designed for young people in specific crisis situations, almost all effective residential treatment programs for teen alcohol abuse feature the following elements:

 

* Personal evaluation or assessment 

* Individualized treatment plans geared to the unique needs of the student

* Strong family program to incorporate parents (and often siblings) into the treatment process

* Highly structured schedules and close supervision

* Focus on the underlying or co-occurring disorders that either led to or were exacerbated by the teen alcohol abuse

In addition to the specific programs, activities and other features, residential programs for teen alcohol abuse also offer the benefit of removing the struggling teen from the environment that facilitated the alcohol abuse. 

 

For many young people, removal from the stresses and pressures of daily life is a key component of ending their abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Residential treatment programs for teen alcohol abuse spend their days in environments that possess the following qualities:

 

* No access to alcohol and other drugs 

* Excess of unsupervised free time replaced with a structured, productive environment

* Negative peer influence replaced by teams of professionals who are dedicated to the teen’s successful return to health and pursuit of productive futures

 

If your child or another young person in your life has been engaging in teen alcohol abuse, know that help is available and that a return to a drug-free life is entirely possible. From outpatient therapy to extended residential care, a wide range of programs exist to meet the specific needs of teens who have been abusing alcohol and/or other drugs.