Teen rehab: what you need to know

Supporting your teen through rehab is a critical step in their recovery journey. Understanding what to expect and how to navigate this process can make a significant difference in your teen’s success. Here’s what parents need to know about teen rehab, with insights from various treatment centers including Mesquite Treatment Center.

Recognizing the Need for Rehab

Recognizing when your teen needs rehab is the first and most difficult step. We understand that sending your child to a rehab facility is not the easiest decision as a parent or tutor. However, this might be crucial for their recovery and life path, specially if other forms of treatment have already been explored without luck. Some clear indicators can be:

• Behavioral changes
• Academic decline
• Social withdrawal
• Mental health issues
• Substance use​

Any of these indicators, or more, can be a clear sign that therapy, guidance, or rehabilitation might be necessary.

Types of Rehab Programs

Rehab programs come in various forms, each catering to different levels of need and types of substance use disorders. Here are the primary types of programs:

• Residential Treatment - Residential treatment, also known as inpatient rehab, involves your teen living at the facility full-time. How much time your teen will spend here depends on case by case. On average, our program lasts from 60-90 days. This type of program offers intensive care and a structured environment, which can be crucial for severe cases of addiction.
  At Mesquite Treatment Center, the residential program includes building life skills, maintaining academic progress (via online schooling), and participating in various therapy options such as grounding, sports, swimming, and jiu-jitsu.
  These activities help teens develop healthy routines and coping mechanisms​

• Outpatient Treatment - Outpatient treatment typically allows teens to live at home and maintain their existing schedule while attending therapy sessions and treatment.
  This type of program is suitable for milder cases of addiction or substance abuse, and can serve as a step-down from residential treatment.
  Mesquite’s outpatient program is designed to blend seamlessly into the daily lives of participants, enabling them to maintain their regular routines while receiving the necessary support and therapy. This approach helps integrate recovery into their everyday lives, making the transition smoother and sustainable. Guidance for parents to maintain this structured is given too.

What to Expect in Rehab

Various Rehab programs typically include a combination of detoxification, structured schedule, different types of therapy, and sometimes life skills training. Detox programs help manage withdrawal symptoms under expert guidance and supervision. Therapies, both individual and group, addresses the underlying issues of addiction and teaches coping skills for teens and adults. Life skills training prepares teens or adults for independent living and can sometimes include activities like cooking, cleaning, and job readiness.

At Mesquite, we offer life skills such as farming, fishing, barbecuing, martial arts, etc.

Additionally, our therapies change depending on the day. We offer music therapy, grounding,  swimming, sports, open recreation time for working out, to name a few.

These therapies and life skills might change depending on which facility the resident will be attending. Make sure to get informed properly before taking the decision of seeking this avenue.

The Role of Family Involvement

At Mesquite, we firmly believe family involvement is crucial for effective healing and a lasting recovery. Family therapy sessions help resolve conflicts and improve communication, demonstrating to our residents that their family supports them unconditionally. This involvement can significantly enhance the recovery process by building trust, getting motivated to get better, and fostering a supportive home environment once they graduate from our center.

Some more intense or stricter rehabilitations programs might not offer family involvement, however. Make sure to ask and confirm these aspects as they might all be different depending on the facility.

Choosing the Right Rehab Program

Selecting the right rehab program involves considering factors such as accreditation, treatment approaches, structure, academics, staff qualifications, skills development, and the facility environment itself.

Accredited and licensed facilities adhere to high standards of care. It’s important to choose a program that offers evidence-based treatments and has a track record of success. Visiting the facility and speaking with staff can provide valuable insights into the program’s suitability for your teen.

If you’re in South Texas, we’re more than happy to talk to your about our program and show you around our facility. Please make sure to contact us and make an appointment!

Post-Rehab Support

As with many facilities, at Mesquite, recovery doesn’t end when rehab does. Sobriety is a life-long process, and therefore, post-rehab support is important to maintain it. This may include ongoing therapy, support groups, structured routines at home, and/or overall guidance for parents, teen, or adults. Parents should always consider working closely with their treatment providers to develop a comprehensive aftercare plan that addresses their child’s needs and helps prevent relapse​.

Conclusion

Navigating the process of teen rehab can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and support, you can help your teen achieve lasting recovery. At Mesquite Treatment Center, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive care tailored to each teen’s unique needs, ensuring they receive the best possible support throughout their recovery journey.

For more info, contact us to learn how we can assist your family during this critical time.