Many parents would like to postpone enrolling their teenager in a treatment program because they don’t want his or her life to suffer. However, treatment is often necessary for a teen to get better. If a teen can benefit from outpatient rehab, it’s a great way to heal while maintaining responsibilities.
It may take time out of your teenager’s day, but addiction, if left untreated, will take a lot more. The longer the substance abuse is allowed to continue, the harder it can be to bounce back.
Responsibilities
In the US, most public schools and universities have programs in place to help teens in recovery make it through. If a teen is functional at school, they may be awarded special scheduling adjustments. In this case especially, outpatient treatment can be very effective. Independent education plan (IEP) is an effective clinician-designed tool used for incorporating a teenager’s schoolwork into their overall recovery goals. Tutors may also be available during specific days and hours, as well as supervised peer study groups.
Not only are teens in outpatient recovery expected to continue their responsibilities–they’re expected to do well. Recovery is about learning to live sober; rehab is tailored toward accountability–keeping up with homework, organizing, scheduling.
If an outside goal is valuable to you, it’s valuable to the clinicians, who only want to see their patients continue on a good path. If a patient needs assistance with homework or college applications, they need only ask.
It’s Not Always Enough
Please understand that, no matter how inconvenient inpatient treatment may seem, many teenagers simply need it. Because peer pressure and other social influences are so rampant among this age group, some teens need intensive help overcoming addictions most adults wouldn’t take so seriously: marijuana, ecstasy, etc. It’s the environment that’s so strong.
Teens can thrive in a structured environment which provides outpatient treatment tailored to their needs. Call us to find out how we can support your teen through our recovery programs.
