More than 50 percent of children in the United States try drugs at least one time between first and 12th grade, according to Phoenix House. In fact, risky behaviors that can lead to death, according to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are established during childhood and adolescence. Problems that extend into adulthood are interrelated and preventable.
Phoenix House
Phoenix House is a non-profit program that provides evidence-based substance abuse treatment, prevention and recovery to adolescents, as well as young adults. The organization also aims to promote a greater understanding of addiction.
Phoenix House has 150 programs in 10 states. They offer treatment to an estimated 7,000 individuals each day. They offer residential and outpatient treatment as well as 11 residential schools for teens. They provide a highly structured, nurturing environment and personalized care and guidance to each patient.
On their website, adolescents can take a quiz that will evaluate their level of risk. Parents can schedule an appointment with a Phoenix House specialist in their area. They stress that alcohol and drug abuse is a problem for the entire family and recovery is a process for everyone.
Caron Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers
Caron Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers is a treatment community with a family and adolescent program. It has campuses in Washington D.C.; Philadelphia and Wernersville, Pennsylvania; New York City; Dallas, Texas; Boca Raton, Florida and Bermuda.
For adolescent substance abusers, it's Caron's belief that the family needs to be engaged from the onset of treatment. Families are educated about the disease of addiction, 12-step programs, creating a home contract, setting boundaries, relapse issues, and after-care plans. The Caron Family Network will help you to determine if your son or daughter has a substance abuse problem; determine the best treatment plan for your child; and learn how families can care for themselves as units while supporting the recovering addict.
Adolescents can receive inpatient treatment on one of Caron's participating campuses. Each patient receives individual addiction counseling and pastoral care counselors. Patients participate in group therapy, therapeutic activities and daily lectures. The program is gender-separate. Typically, treatment requires a one-month stay.
12-Step Programs
Twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are not just for adults. Medical News Today reports that AA is the most commonly sought resource for those suffering from alcoholism. A 2008 study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research by John F. Kelly of Harvard Center for Addiction Medicine, found that after intervals of six months and one to eight years, the majority of 160 adolescent inpatients at 12-step treatment centers attended some AA or NA meetings. Those who attended a 12-step program benefited from it; and even small amounts of participation in a program were associated with an improved outcome.
AA and NA, along with many other 12-step programs for different substances, is an abstinence-based, addiction recovery program. There are meetings in most communities all over the country and abroad. They provide a social network of sober peers and offer round-the-clock support, especially during evenings and weekends when relapse risk is increased.
