It can be challenging to get your teen to engage in healthy activities while recovering from substance use disorder (SUD). This is especially true if they have been using drugs or alcohol for a long time. The good news is that there are many things you can do to help encourage them to participate in healthy activities.
Develop a Support System
Teens in recovery should surround themselves with positive influences and avoid any situations that might lead to relapse. This can help them lead happy and healthy lives with the proper support.
People recovering from substance abuse need a healthy support system for many reasons. Often, all of their friends are using drugs, and they will feel alone. Adolescents need people to talk to who understand what they’re going through. A support system can help them stay away from drugs and alcohol. Support systems help teens manage their emotions. These groups can assist with school work and finding a job.
Positive connections can be key to teens’ sobriety and recovery. When teens have positive associations with people, they’re less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with stress or problems. Healthy relationships also provide support and guidance to keep teens on the right track. These connections can be with family members, friends, mentors, teachers, coaches, or other adults that teens trust and feel comfortable talking to.
Positive connections can make a big difference in a teen’s life and help them avoid substance abuse.
What Do They Like?
The first step is finding out what interests your teen has outside of using substances. For example, there are many opportunities to participate in sports, arts, music, and other hobbies. If they’re interested in sports, many programs can help them stay active and involved. These programs can also help them healthily express themselves if they enjoy music or art.
If they have been sober for a while, they might be interested in joining a club or team. Many support groups can help teens in recovery stay connected to others who are going through similar experiences.
Goal Setting
It’s no secret that the teenage years can be tricky. Teenagers are often dealing with the challenges of school, friends, and family, as well as the hormonal changes that come with puberty. They also face the pressure to conform to peer groups and the ever-present temptation of drugs and alcohol. It’s no wonder that so many teens struggle with substance abuse disorder.
One of the most important things for teens in recovery to do is set goals. Why are goals so important? Goals give teens direction and purpose. Teens in recovery need to know what they’re working towards, and setting goals can help them stay focused on the future.
Secondly, goals inspire motivation. When teens see the progress they’re making towards their goals, it can provide the incentive they need to stay on track. Additionally, goals promote accountability. Checking in with a trusted adult or sponsor about goal progress can help teens stay accountable for their recovery.
Encourage Engagement
Encourage your teen to stay involved in treatment and therapy. Aftercare treatment can help teens in recovery learn how to cope with triggers, work through difficult emotions, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Therapy can also provide a space for teens to process their experiences and work towards personal growth.
In addition to professional support, teens can join sober groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery, which can help them stay present, connected, and active in their new sober life.
Communicate With Your Teen
Recovery from addiction is a long and challenging process, and it often requires the support of family and friends. One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to keep the lines of communication open with your teen. This can be a challenge, as teenagers often resist talking about their feelings. However, trying to encourage your teen to share their experiences with you is essential.
Encouraging discourse will help them feel valued and supported and also allow you to understand better what they’re going through. In addition, communicating with your teen will allow you to provide them with guidance and advice. Ultimately, some of the success of your teen’s recovery depends on the strength of your relationship. It’s essential to make an effort to communicate with them openly and frequently.
Provide your teen with resources and information about substance abuse and recovery. Many books, websites, and other materials can help teens learn more about what they’re going through.
If you feel you are struggling to support your teen, you must reach out for professional help. There are many resources available to help families navigate the challenges of recovery. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
As any parent knows, teenagers can be notoriously hard to engage with. They are often moody, withdrawn, and resistant to authority figures. When it comes to recovery from substance use disorder, this can pose a serious challenge. If teens are not engaged in their own recovery, they’re less likely to succeed. One of the most important things you can do is simply be there for them. Show them that you support their decision to get clean and that you’ll be there to help them through the process. You can also try to find healthy activities that your teen enjoys and that will help them stay occupied during their free time. This could include things like sports, art, or volunteering. Supporting and encouraging them to find activities they enjoy gives them the best chance at success. For more information on engaging your teen, call Clearfork Academy at (817) 259-2597.
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
