Teen Cocaine Rehab

Table of Contents
Signs and Symptoms
Types of Teen Rehabs
Elements of Effective Care
Intervention Is Essential
Teen-Specific Rehab
What to Look for in Rehab
Types of Programs to Avoid
Treating Dependence

Thousands of teenagers every day use cocaine and crack. Some will use it once or twice and then move on from this “experimental” phase of their lives. Others, however, will develop an addiction to cocaine and/or crack – a condition that has long-lasting negative ramifications for that young person and their family. Adolescents who become addicted to this powerful stimulant can receive support and treatment through teen-centered cocaine rehab programs. These drug rehab programs are unique in that they treat the physical and psychological components of cocaine addiction, while simultaneously addressing the family and social issues that may lie at the root of the problem.

According to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 4.8 million Americans over the age of 12 reported abusing cocaine and crack at least once in the year before the survey. The Monitoring the Future survey sponsored by the University of Michigan reports that cocaine and crack abuse is an issue for teens as well; a little more than 1.5 percent of those in 8th grade, two percent of those in 10th grade, and just under three percent of those in 12th grade abused cocaine. Additionally, another one percent of 8th graders, one percent of 10th graders, and just under 1.5 percent of high school seniors abused crack.

If you believe that your teen is among these numbers and that addiction is becoming or has become a serious issue, contact us at Newport Academy today.

Signs and Symptoms of Teen Cocaine AddictionSigns and Symptoms That Treatment Is Necessary

Teen cocaine rehab is for any adolescent between the ages of 12 and 18 who has begun taking cocaine and is now unable to stop under their own power. Time is of the essence when it comes to getting a child into treatment. Cocaine can exact a terrible toll on the well-being of a teenager and his or her family. Once the behavior has been identified – and talking to the child about the dangers of cocaine has not helped the situation – it is time to contact a teen drug rehab program.

Signs to look for include:

  • Bloodshot or red eyes
  • Decreased appetite or weight loss
  • Anxious, agitated behavior
  • Constant runny nose or sniffing
  • Frequent nose bleeds

Also, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cocaine is often referred to by teens as ‘snow,’ blow,’ ‘coke,’ ‘flake,’ ‘white’ and other terms. Teens who make guarded, secretive or coded references that sound like these may be discussing cocaine and crack abuse and use.

Types of Teen Rehabs That Treat Cocaine or Crack Addiction

There are two primary styles of teen rehab programs in the United States: residential and outpatient. Within these two basic areas of treatment, there are a number of unique modalities and programs available. Parents should choose the style, type and focus of rehab according to their teen’s specific needs. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are a number of different treatment approaches that have been proven effective for teens struggling with addiction. These include:

  • Residential teen rehab. When a teen becomes addicted to crack, it is often a necessity to remove them from their environment in order for rehabilitation to work properly. Peer groups, stress, problems at home and other environmental factors all play a role in the continued drug abuse by the teen. Residential rehab programs helps provide a focused, safe environment in which the teen can address the issues that bring about crack abuse and addiction.
  • Outpatient teen rehab. For those teens with a less serious drug addiction (if such a thing is possible), there is outpatient rehab. When relapse into crack abuse is not a prominent concern, these programs help aid recovery while allowing the child to return home in the evenings and even maintain a presence at work or school during treatment. In the case of crack cocaine addiction, relapse is a constant concern and as such most parents will opt for a residential program instead of an outpatient center.
  • Holistic teen rehab. Crack cocaine addiction impacts the mind, body and spirit of the individual in a very negative way. Holistic drug rehab programs aim to rebuild these things through yoga, meditation and other activities designed to enhance focus and promote good health. Usually, holistic practices at these rehab facilities take place alongside detox, counseling and other more traditional methods of care.
  • Aftercare. Weekly sessions and alumni meetings are built into an outpatient teen rehab program, but when it’s time to go home, each teen is responsible for aftercare. It’s important that parents provide their recovering teen with the opportunity to take advantage of 12-step meetings, addiction counseling and/or personal therapy as a way to reinforce the principles of treatment.

The Elements of Effective Treatment and Care

There are three common components of every comprehensive drug rehab program: detox, counseling and aftercare.

  • Cocaine detox. Detox (or “detoxification”) is the process of allowing the toxins associated with cocaine to leave the body. Although there is less emphasis placed on detox with cocaine addiction (because the condition is considered more of a psychological addiction than a physical one) this is still an important part of the process and must be completed before the remainder of rehab can continue.
  • Addiction counseling.There are several different types of counseling involved in teen cocaine rehab, including:
    • Individual Counseling. During individual counseling, the teenager meets one-on-one with a counselor to discuss the root causes of their addiction and get to the heart of finding real solutions moving forward.
    • Group Counseling. In group counseling sessions, the individual meets with other teens enrolled in the program and shares experiences concerning their cocaine use. Group sessions are a “safe place” where the individual feels less isolated by their issues and can gain strength and support from their peers.
    • Family Counseling. Some counseling sessions involve the entire family and give everyone a chance to discuss, without fear of reprisal, how the cocaine use has affected them. Family counseling sessions is where the healing amongst parents and children can begin and is an extremely effective tool for teen treatment, according to SAMHSA/CSAT Treatment Improvement Protocols 39.
  • Experiential Therapy. A number of different interactive therapies fall in this category. Each one provides the teen with an activity (e.g., horse care and equestrian activities, art, cooking, writing and drama) which allows them to explore different emotions and issues that are difficult to discuss.
  • Aftercare. Aftercare programs help teenagers learn the skills they need to stay on track once rehab is complete and offer a kind of “tune-up” in the months following the program. Popular aftercare programs include follow-up counseling and support groups held outside the facility.

Teen Cocaine Rehab Help

Early Intervention and Treatment Is Essential

More and more negative health effects and psychological changes due to cocaine dependence and abuse are documented daily, according to NIDA. When a teen is in the grips of a crack or cocaine addiction, there is no progress made on any of the normal fronts that usually concern teenagers. School performance, first jobs, healthy relationships, fun times with friends, time spent playing sports or in youth groups – all of this falls by the wayside when drugs and alcohol come into the picture. At a rehab facility, addicted teens learn how to find better coping skills that don’t include drugs and alcohol. This process happens in such a way that the recovering teen is guided toward more positive choices in every part of his or her life, reopening the door to opportunities that could otherwise disappear.

An Intervention Can Help

Many parents who are determined to send their child to drug treatment may question the need for an intervention. Some of the benefits of a teen intervention include:

  • The opportunity to see how many people care about what happens to him or her.
  • A chance to hear story after story that demonstrates his or her need for treatment.
  • The realization that treatment is not a punishment but a medical and psychological treatment provided by loving parents who want to see them excel.
  • An opportunity to understand what to expect from treatment before they arrive.

Depending upon the emotional state of the parents, planning a teen crack cocaine intervention can be simple or overwhelming. It’s important that an intervention not be an impromptu event but a meeting that is planned in advance. Map out the details such as where and when the intervention will be held, who will be present, who will speak and for how long. Parents or guardians will need to hold a meeting with all participants prior to the intervention, one that doesn’t include the addicted teen. During this meeting, parents can make sure that the date and time works for everyone, discuss who will speak and what they’ll say, and allow for participants to ask questions.

Hiring a professional interventionist to assist in planning and staging of the intervention is also an option, according to Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents, 2nd Edition. A professional will bring objectivity to the event and provide an opportunity to become a participant rather than responsible for running the intervention. He or she will come to the home prior to the intervention to discuss the details with the family. The interventionist will be able to answer questions about what should and shouldn’t be said, what to expect from the event and what to do depending on the outcome. Family members may practice what they want to say with the professional interventionist to make sure that it is specific enough and nonjudgmental.

Teen-Specific Cocaine Rehab

The crack cocaine detoxification process for a teen can be physically and emotionally traumatic. They need the help and guidance of trained professionals as their body adjusts to life without the drug, as they emotionally learn to fight and overcome their addiction, and as they deal with the depression that often accompanies the detox and initial rehab experience.

Parents need to be highly selective when seeking out a drug rehabilitation program for their child. Most addiction experts, today, advocate for a holistic approach to treating addiction to crack cocaine. The best programs treat the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the addiction, and emphasize self-exploration and growth, including making healthy decisions, establishing life-affirming patterns and learning to live a clean life.

Because teens are already going through a traumatic time in their lives, as they enter adulthood, both their addiction and the recommended treatment programs are different from those experienced by adults who are addicted to crack. Addicted teens need to be in a drug treatment program that specializes in treating addicted and drug-abusing adolescents. Do not think that an adult treatment program will suffice; it won’t. It is important to select a rehab center that works with and understands the challenges presented by treating teen addicts.

What to Look for in Rehab Programs for Teens

In addition to finding a rehab program that works specifically with teenage crack abusers, and one that advocates for a holistic approach, parents also need to choose a center with a proven track record of helping addicted teens throughout the recovery process. Not only does the program need to help the teen’s body through detox, it also must teach the life skills that the child will need when they return to their regular life. Emphasis on healthy choices, standing up to peer pressure, building self-esteem and encouraging self-expression are all essential components to the best drug treatment programs for teenagers.

It’s important that the chosen teen rehab offers certain things, according to SAMHSA/CSAT Treatment Improvement Protocol 45: Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment.

  • Medical care if necessary for detox or underlying medical conditions
  • Effective psychotherapeutic care for co-occurring disorders (e.g., eating disorders, depression, anxiety, etc.)
  • Academic support and assistance
  • Open communication and progress reports for parents and guardians
  • Separation of boys and girls during treatment and at residences
  • 25+ hours a week of group therapy, personal therapy and experiential therapy
  • Family therapy included throughout the treatment process
  • More staff members than patients

Education, too, should be an important part of an addicted teen’s rehabilitation experience if an inpatient program is chosen. A teen drug rehab should be able to work with the child’s school to develop an academic program that will allow him or her to keep up with their peers during treatment. At Newport Academy, we have a low student-to-instructor ratio to make sure that the recovering child has the one-on-one help that he or she needs to excel at their studies.

Types of Programs to Avoid

It’s not uncommon to come across different groups purporting to be crack addiction experts, groups that offer a book series, a pill or herbal supplement -anything that they can bill as an effective teen crack addiction treatment. Unfortunately, few programs you see advertised on TV actually deliver anything they claim, causing hopeful parents of teen addicts to waste precious time and money.

  • Rehab Books. A number of late-night infomercials or magazine pullouts will tell you differently. Self-published authors will push their book as holding the secret to addiction treatment. Parents may find some interesting information in these books but addiction to any substance requires medical treatment and long-term psychotherapeutic intervention in order for recovery to occur. These things are unavailable in any book.
  • Supplement Treatments. While medications are sometimes used to treat withdrawal symptoms in teens who are in detox while recovering from drug addiction, no medication will ‘cure’ their addiction. Pills or supplements that claim to be a substitute for rehab do not work. Taking such a ‘treatment’ every day will not help an addicted teen in the long term and could, in fact, be hazardous to their health. A better choice is to enroll the teen in a medical detox that can provide professional, round-the-clock help. When followed up by a psychotherapeutic addiction treatment program, a recovering teen will have all the tools he or she needs to fight crack addiction.
  • Anything That Offers a ‘Quick Fix’  for Teen Addiction. Addiction is a complex issue, and in teens, it can be even more complex in some ways – and certainly more important to treat the problem immediately in order to mitigate the effects on your teen’s growing brain and body. It’s important to remember, though, that there is no quick fix for teen crack cocaine addiction. In order to get sober and stay that way, teens need a comprehensive addiction treatment program and long-term follow-up care.

Newport Academy Treats Teens for Cocaine and Crack Dependence

There are a number of good addiction treatment program options available to help your teen overcome crack cocaine addiction. Any rehab you choose should recognize that effective treatment takes time, a well-trained staff, teen-specific care and treatments, medical care if necessary, psychiatric care if necessary and attention to other aspects of your teen’s life, including family and academics.

Newport Academy is a residential drug rehab facility exclusively for young people. The teenagers who enter treatment at Newport Academy are provided with help from caring, expert staff members who help stop the addictive behavior and provide the tools to strengthen the individual from the inside out. Contact us today for more information about our addiction treatment programs and to find out what your teen needs to succeed in the fight against substance abuse.