Addiction comes in many shapes and forms; much more so than in the past, or at least today the light is now shone on the problems. In the past and behind closed doors, there was addiction, alcoholism—in general there was substance abuse—but it wasn’t talked about. Addiction and mental disorders that often lead to abuse of medication and alcohol went undiagnosed. Today, the field of addiction and behavioral disorders has a much greater understanding of how to identify and treat those struggling to lead balanced and healthy lives.
Identifying Substance Abuse
Teenagers are on their phones a lot. Texting and social media platforms and games may take up a majority of their attention, but when it comes to hiding or keeping secrets, adolescents have become razor sharp largely in part because of their access to information. If you suspect your student is struggling with substance abuse, you may want to do a little bit of research before reaching out to them.
Addressing The Problem
How to approach the subject can be difficult for some parents. Facilities that specialize in substance abuse treatment in St Paul should have literature, information and techniques to best identify and approach the issue of dealing with a teenager who is struggling with substance abuse. In many cases, substance abuse like smoking marijuana has become part of what defines an adolescent’s identity and he or she will fight to protect it. In cases like these, it is helpful to have the support and experience of professionals deal with these types of cases everyday.
Day Treatment For Adolescents
If your child is struggling with drugs or alcohol, enrolling him or her into substance abuse treatment in St Paul is recommended. Programs that specialize in working with adolescents in small groups to teach them about making health social choices, how to set goals and are then held accountable with daily check-ins to meet these goals are just a few examples of how adolescent day treatment can provide for your child. Therapist and one-on-one counseling sessions are available for teens through programs like this. In addition, family therapy and parenting programs help parents build the skills necessary to support and help a struggling adolescent with substance abuse.
Taking The First Steps
Researching, identifying and seeking help for substance abuse is the first step. In the past, these problems went unidentified and ignored. Today, there is almost no excuse for a case of substance abuse to go untreated. Most insurance plans are accepted at facilities in Minnesota. Addressing an issue as soon as possible and overreacting versus underreacting is always going to be in your child’s best interest. Don’t hesitate to research the warning signs and ways to talk to your child about whether or not he or she is struggling with drugs or alcohol.
For more information about substance abuse treatment in St Paul, visit Options Family & Behavior Services at http://optionsfamily.com.
