How To Help An Out of Control Teen

Adolescence is a unique period characterized by rapid biological changes, social skills development, and life transitions. Teens are often met with new challenges, such as academic pressure, changes in friend groups, identity exploration, and learning how to manage the stress of everyday life.  

Research from the National Institute of Health also suggests risk-taking is highest in late adolescence, which can sometimes lead to problematic or distressing behavior [1]. However, many parents may wonder when this behavior crosses the line from a typical teen to an out-of-control teen. 

Read on to understand how to recognize the warning signs of an out-of-control teen and treatment programs designed to support their recovery, development and long-term success.

What is an “Out of Control” Teen? Examples of Behavior

Behaviors of an “out of control” teenager go above and beyond typical behaviors we associate with teens, such as mood swings, challenging authority, and mild recklessness. A teen who is out of control may struggle with basic respect and regard for others, daily functioning, impaired relationships, and impulsive behaviors that are dangerous to themselves or others. 

Although risk-taking is a normal part of development and sometimes even healthy (e.g., asking someone out on a date or giving a public speech), teens who are “out of control” or “high risk” may participate in risk-taking that impacts their safety, health, and long-term success. 

It’s important for parents to recognize the warning signs of out-of-control behavior in their teens. These include:  

• Violence or aggression
• Blatant disrespect toward authority figures  
• Bullying others 
• Vandalism
• Self-harm
• Drinking
• Drug abuse
• Smoking or vaping
• Skipping class
• Failing grades 
• Shoplifting 
• Binge eating or skipping meals 
• Reckless driving
• Unprotected sex 
• Social media or video game addiction 

What Causes High-Risk Behaviors in Teens? 

Teens who exhibit out-of-control behaviors and risk-taking are often struggling from an underlying mental health problem, trauma, or chronic stress. Some causes that contribute to out-of-control teen behavior include: 

• Depression or another mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder
• Anxiety 
• Autism 
• Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
• Conduct Disorder (CD)
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Substance Abuse Disorder
• Experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse 
• Lack of structure in the home 
• Witnessing domestic violence 
• Growing up in a violent community 
• Victim of bullying
• Involvement with gangs or cartel activity (more common in inner cities or the Southwest regions of the United States) 

Facilities That Can Help Out-of-Control Teens 

It’s important to seek professional support if your teen is participating in risky or out-of-control behaviors. Current research shows that early intervention is one of the most significant factors in preventing behavioral problems from escalating [2]. 

There are several kinds of facilities that can help teens break destructive behavioral patterns. Although these facilities may differ in what they treat or their treatment approach, they all focus on helping teens identify their strengths, needs, and goals to build positive behaviors that contribute to their success.  

The three main kinds of facilities that exist to support out-of-control teens include:  

• Mental Health Treatment Centers focus on treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism, trauma, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation. These centers provide a safe and structured space to work through mental health challenges, stabilize behavior, and build a toolbox of positive coping skills. They typically do not provide treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. 
• Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, on the other hand, are specifically designed to support teens in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. They help teens detox, get sober, and provide addiction counseling to build strategies that prevent relapse. 
• Co-occurring Treatment Facilities treat both mental health and substance abuse disorders. They focus on helping teens detox and get sober while simultaneously addressing underlying mental health problems that drive substance abuse.  

Common Treatment Approaches 

Treatment facilities for teens usually offer several levels of care and a blend of evidence-based therapies to meet the unique needs of teens and their families. 

• Residential Treatment is the highest level of care, offering around-the-clock supervision in a structured setting. Teens participate in daily individual, group, or family therapy sessions. Residential treatment programs are recommended for teens with substance abuse disorders, eating disorders, or severe mental health disorders presenting with violent or suicidal behaviors. 
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is the second highest level of care. Similar to residential treatment, it is highly structured, except teens return home in the evenings rather than spending the night at the facility. This is often recommended as a “step-down” after residential treatment to continue helping teens apply the skills they learned during their stay in residential. It is also ideal for teens with Autism, who require intense daily support but need to return home to their evening routines. 
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) offer more flexibility than a residential program or PHP but are still highly structured.  Teens usually participate in an IOP 2-4 times a week for a few hours each session. Often enrolling after a residential program or PHP, these facilities help teens with substance abuse disorders and severe mental health problems smoothly transition back to their community. 
• Outpatient Programs are much more flexible and usually only meet with teens once a week. They may include psychiatric appointments for medication management or individual, group, or family therapy sessions. They are recommended for teens with mild to moderate mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. Some outpatient therapies can be tailored to treat specific challenges a teen is experiencing, such as dealing with stressful life transitions or grief. 
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a commonly used evidence-based therapy that helps teens with a variety of mental health challenges and substance abuse problems restructure their thought processes and alter negative thinking patterns. It may be used as part of a residential or outpatient program. 
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is another common form of therapy designed to treat severe mental illness such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or complex trauma. It helps teens understand how their moods and emotions influence their behaviors. The key principles taught in DBT are distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal relationship skills. 
• Trauma therapies such as Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy focus on helping teens with trauma and PTSD process traumatic memories and emotional distress. Although they may differ in their approaches, trauma therapies focus on creating a safe space for youth to work through their trauma, identify their strengths, empowerment, and build skills for resilience. 
• Family therapy addresses conflict in the home that can contribute to high-risk behaviors in out-of-control teens. They also help teens build a support network after they leave a treatment program and support their long-term recovery. 
• Group therapy offers a space for teens to connect with peers their age who are going through similar struggles. They are a key component of residential treatment programs but are also offered on an outpatient basis. They are guided by a licensed therapist and can help teens decrease feelings of isolation and learn new insights from each other. 
• Support groups offer a similar group setting as group therapy but are less clinical and often led by volunteer facilitators. There are several kinds of support groups that exist that may focus on drug and alcohol recovery, depression, trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, etc. 

Residential Treatment for Teens in Texas 

At Clearfork Academy, our team of compassionate, licensed therapists understands the complex nature of mental health and substance abuse disorders in teens. Our residential treatment center, PHP, and IOP programs are designed to support teens with mental health or substance abuse challenges on their path to recovery and success. 

Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more. 

Sources 

[1] Age Patterns in Risk Taking Across the World. 2019. National Institute of Health. 

[2] Developing Social and Behavioral Skills in Early Childhood: A TAPP Research Brief. Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools.