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Now, more than ever, young people in Florida are at great risk. In their lives, they are asked to avoid temptation and make complicated decisions every day. Nowhere is this more prevalent than the world of drug and alcohol use. The adolescent years are a time of experimentation with different lifestyles and substances, but now kids younger and younger are become involved with dangerous drugs such as cocaine, heroin, alcohol, prescription drugs and other controlled substances. And of course, underage drinking remains a problem not only in Florida, but across the country as well.
If a young person in your family has a substance abuse problem, it is your responsibility to see that they get help. But standard, adult-oriented programs may not be suitable or altogether effective for the adolescent drug users. Teen drug rehab programs provide Florida’s teenagers with the specialized treatment they need to turn their lives around.
Here are some important things to know about adolescent drug treatment, and how it differs from other programs.
Knowing the causes of teen drug abuse
For any adolescent rehab program to be successful there must be a familiarity with what drives teenagers to addiction. Among the major causes of teen drug abuse:
- Unstable home life (divorce, parental separation)
- Bad grades/flunking out of school
- Low self-esteem
- Pressure from peer group
- A desire to fit in with another peer group
- By understanding these common root causes, the counselors at teen drug treatment programs will be able to get to the root of the problem and help change behaviors accordingly.
Understanding how to communicate with adolescents
Teenagers can be emotional and volatile in their behavior. When approaching them on an uncomfortable topic, one must proceed with firmness, but also with caution. Adolescent drug treatment programs are effective, not only because they speak kids’ language, but also because they guide them down the right path, giving them the tools to make better decisions.
An emphasis on group counseling
Rehab programs geared towards teens understand the power of the peer group. That’s why these programs place an additional focus on group counseling – where teens can open up with people their own age, and see for the first time that other kids just like them are struggling with drug addiction as well.
Why treatment for the young is important
Studies have shown that the human brain is not fully developed until age 30. Therefore the damage a teen does to his or her brain by using drugs is likely to do permanent damage. The adolescent years are also the time adult habits – good or bad – begin to form. There is strong evidence that if you reach a young person during their teen years, and get them into drug rehab, they will be able to move on to a healthy adulthood.
For a complete guide to the best adolescent drug treatment programs in Florida, visit our directory for Adolescent Treatment. It’s a comprehensive online resource for drug treatment programs geared towards teens or adults. If a teenager in your family is involved with drugs, and you’re unsure of where to turn for help, call (866) 531-4569 to find a qualified, caring professional in your area.
