Teen Drug Detox

Table of Contents
The Development of Addiction
Goals of Treatment
Preparation for Treatment
Paying for Drug Detox
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No parent wants to believe that their child needs a drug detox. Admitting that their teen is not only using drugs but is using them regularly enough to develop a tolerance that requires medical treatment is unbearably difficult for any parent. Unfortunately, if there is a history of drug addiction in the family or if the teen has experienced trauma or a mental health diagnosis, it is statistically more likely for them to develop a dependence upon drugs and/or alcohol after experimentation or occasional abuse. In fact, according the National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA), those living with drug addiction are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with co-occurring mental health disorders.

holistic detoxification When a teenager’s dependence is physical in nature and they experience withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop abusing their drug of choice, a drug detox program is the only safe choice. Receiving medical care can help the teen to avoid relapse as well as ensure that he or she has all the medical assistance necessary to safely navigate the experience.

At Newport Academy, drug detox is just one of many addiction treatment services that we provide to our teen patients. The first step in a comprehensive treatment, detox is followed by psychotherapeutic care and long-term aftercare services as well as family therapy, experiential treatment, academic support and more. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your teen here at Newport Academy.

The Development of Drug Addiction in Teens

There are a number of different possible reasons why some teens develop a physical and emotional dependence upon drugs and alcohol and other teens do not. Though there is no one definitive cause or group of causes that has been shown to trigger drug addiction in patients, a number of contributing factors have been identified. These include:

Genetic predisposition. When a parent or other close biological relative struggles with addiction, they pass along the tendency to their descendents. Even if the battle with addiction was fought and won, it can still be an issue for teens if they are genetically related to those with an addiction history.
Co-occurring diagnoses. Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia – all these issues are serious mental health problems that can trigger the abuse of drugs that can ultimately evolve into addiction. The existence of these disorders can increase the incidence of psychosis during addiction as well.
Environmental factors. Easy access to prescription drugs, alcohol and other illicit substances can increase the incidences of abuse of drugs for teens and, ultimately, contribute to the development of an addiction. Parents are encouraged to keep prescription drugs and alcohol under tight wraps and to properly dispose of unwanted prescription painkillers and sedatives according to the guidelines provided by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Stress. Issues at home and at school that cause a teen to develop issues of self-doubt or fear can increase the chances that he or she will turn to drugs and alcohol in an attempt to drown those feelings or escape them. When the stress does not lift, the repeated abuse of drugs and alcohol can lead to addiction.
Trauma or abuse. Teens who experience or witness trauma or abuse in their childhood or adolescence may be more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol in order to deal with the confusing and painful emotions that come up. Unless this underlying issue is treated, relapse will be a recurring issue.

Goal of Detox Treatment

Detox addresses the physical nature of addiction while the psychological treatment and therapy sessions that follow address the mental and emotional dependence upon drugs and alcohol. Because there is no cure for addiction, the medical and therapeutic goal of treatment is to help the patient learn how to live without relapsing into the active addictive state no matter what the trigger after rehab. Though every drug rehab is slightly different in philosophy and in how they approach the execution of their treatment programs, they each have a ladder of goals that are chosen based on their ability to help recovering teens reach the ultimate goal of long-term abstinence from drug addiction. According to the US Department of Labor, some of those goals include:

Physical stabilization. Withdrawal symptoms are one issue that may require immediate medical attention and stabilization efforts for teens who abruptly stop taking their drug of choice. Those who experience drug-induced psychosis and/or are diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health issue may also require medication and medical attention in order to stabilize before heading deeper into treatment.

Physical and mental healing. Detox offers the recovering teen his or her first opportunity to slow down and begin the healing process. This time can be invaluable in providing the patient with the chance to prepare mentally and physically for the hard work that comes during psychotherapeutic treatment.

Planning for treatment. Detox also offers teens the chance to work with their medical teams in order to develop a solid plan for their recovery. Treatment goals are developed during this period, and as the recovering teen reaches each one, new ones can be developed, allowing progress to continue.

Planning for the future. For the first time since the onset of addiction, teens can think beyond instant gratification and the next time they will get high and instead turn their attention to long-term goals for the future. These can include educational goals, job plans, mending family relationships or addressing other specific issues in their lives. The more control that recovering teens feel that they have in the outcome of their own happiness, the more likely they will be to make positive decisions that move them closer to those goals and avoid falling back into the trap of addiction behaviors.

Preparation for Detox and Treatment

Addicted teens will do better in detox and addiction treatment if both they and their family members take the time to prepare for the experience. There are a number of different ways that this can happen and it will be different for each family and each teen. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, some options include:

Intervention. Even though the addicted teen’s consent is not necessary for parents and guardians to enroll them in detox, an intervention can be helpful in preparing them for the experience of detox and addiction treatment. Knowing that they have the support of family members and that no one judges them for their disorder can be hugely helpful in the healing process.
Open discussion. Parents who talk to their teen and prepare them for the expectation of medical treatment through detox can help their child to understand that rehab is not a punishment but a necessary means to recovery.
Conversations with the therapist/counselor/director. Talking to a therapist or a counselor can help parents determine the best way to prepare their teen for the particular experience that awaits them at the chosen detox program.
Packing and expectations of care. Teens who are admitted to detox are allowed to bring certain items and advised to leave other items at home. Parents who go through the process of packing with their teen will be able to go over those rules and prepare their teen for what to expect.

Paying for Drug Detox

Money should never be an obstacle to necessary medical treatment, and drug and alcohol addiction tops the list of medical conditions that plague teens and require immediate and comprehensive care. The cost of avoiding treatment or attempting to skip it altogether can be far higher than the cost of rehab itself. Though it may take a bit of creativity and perseverance to take advantage of all the resources available to assist in paying the bill, parents who invest the time and effort will find themselves and their teen well rewarded. Some options include:

Health insurance coverage. Drug detox is a medical treatment and many health insurance plans cover the full cost of treatment after the deductible has been met. Medications and addiction treatment may be covered under other parts of the policy. Parents should double check details with providers and get some solid numbers before looking elsewhere for financial assistance.
Borrowing. Those who have friends and family with the resources and interest in assisting may be agreeable to setting up a no-interest loan with parents of addicted teens.
Savings. Retirement funds and college funds may or may not be a good option for paying for treatment. Parents with savings designated for other purposes should consult with an accountant to determine the best choice for their portfolio.
Financing. Loans of any size, secured or unsecured and low-interest or no interest at all are available to anyone who needs it for the purposes of paying for addiction treatment. In many cases, funds can be made available in as little as a day. Parents can discuss their options with the teen rehab they choose.

Learn More Detox: Call Newport Academy Today

Postponing teen drug detox is far more costly in the long run for you and for your teen than investing in treatment as soon as you recognize the issue of addiction. Every day that your teen continues to live with an active drug addiction, he or she loses ground at school and opportunities for college and jobs later on down the line. Every time he or she uses drugs or alcohol, the risk of overdose or death due to accident is a real concern – one that is priceless. Don’t risk your child’s future by waiting to get them the detox and addiction treatment they need.

At Newport Academy, we offer a teen drug detox program to help your child break free from addiction. If your teen’s addiction has progressed to the point of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, he or she needs drug detox. Call Newport Academy today.