Dallas Teen Rehab Centers: Helping Teens Overcome Addiction

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), substance abuse treatment for individuals under the age of 18 is “limited and costly”. Their analysis found that just seven states had a teen rehab facility that accepted major insurance like Medicaid, had a bed available the same day, and offered medication-assisted treatment for addictions like opioid and alcohol use disorder [1].

Dallas-based residential treatment center for teens, Clearfork Academy, aims to address this problem by expanding access to services for youth across Texas in need of inpatient care for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. Over 60% of teens in Texas struggle with a behavioral health challenge and have received no care [2]. Clearfork has multiple campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, providing evidence-based therapies, psychiatric services, and skill-building activities for teens in recovery.

Clearfork and other experts in the teen behavioral health industry advise parents to look for several key factors when deciding on a rehab center for their teen.

Understanding Inpatient Rehabs for Teens

Inpatient rehab, also referred to as residential treatment, is an intense treatment program for substance abuse recovery where teens live at the facility 24/7 in a structured, safe, and supportive environment. Some inpatient rehab centers offer fully integrated care including detox programs as the first step to help teens get rid of drugs or alcohol from the body.

Teens with substance abuse disorders like alcoholism or opioid addiction, in particular, often require medically supervised detox. In this process, a team of trained medical staff monitors the detox process to ensure vitals are stable and can provide medication to manage withdrawal pain or cravings [3].

After detox, the real work toward long-term recovery begins. Inpatient rehab is considered the highest level of care, and teens participate daily in individual counseling, group therapy, structured activities, and life skill workshops. Teen rehabs use developmentally appropriate treatments to help teens overcome challenges that drive their addiction and to build essential life skills for long-term success.

Licensed therapists and addiction specialists help teens understand underlying mental health problems, trauma, academic stress, bullying, or other circumstances that trigger their substance abuse. Teens begin abusing drugs for a number of reasons and it’s important that the teen’s treatment team designs a plan tailored to their unique situation and individual recovery needs.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Teen Rehab Program

When a teen is in a drug or alcohol crisis, there may not always be much time to decide where to send them for treatment. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind when considering the options [3] [1].

Addictions Treatment Programs

Not all rehabs are structured the same and it’s important to understand what programs the center offers and what addictions they address. For example, some rehab programs only address addiction, while others also treat co-occurring mental health disorders.

Some treatment programs require teens to live inpatient at the facility for several weeks to months, while others offer outpatient programs with a flexible day or evening schedule.

Not every rehab program offers detox, and not every rehab center for teens treats addictions like alcoholism or opioid abuse. On the other hand, some rehab centers only specialize in those addictions and don’t treat non-illicit drugs like nicotine or over-the-counter medication.

Accreditation and Licensing

It’s important to confirm that the facility has up-to-date accreditations and licenses. These ensure the treatment center is legally allowed to operate in that state, follows safety regulations, and stays updated with rules, guidelines, and public health protocols.

These can be found on the rehab’s website or asked during the admissions process. A few national accreditations that inpatient rehab centers should have include LegitScript, The Joint Commission, CARF, SAMHSA, and a state license.

Qualified and Experienced Staff

A reputable treatment center has staff with degrees, certifications, and licenses in clinical psychology, addiction, adolescent development, and other relevant fields. Look for staff credentials on their website or ask the admissions specialist when calling for information.

Some members of the clinical treatment team include:

• Licensed clinical psychologist
• Social worker
• Nurse practitioner
• Medical doctor
• Substance abuse counselor
• Nutritionist

Specialized Treatment

Some rehabs offer focused tracks or programs for teens with unique challenges or who come from specific backgrounds.

• Trauma-sensitive programs follow the principles of trauma-informed care, focusing on empowerment, safety, and collaboration. Over 70% of teens in treatment for substance abuse struggle with co-occurring trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This model of substance abuse treatment focuses on treating the underlying trauma that drives addiction and building skills for resilience [4].

• LGBTQ+ inclusive programs offer a safe and identity-affirming space for teens who have faced unique challenges such as sexual or gender discrimination, violence, or harassment. According to the Trevor Project, teens who are part of the LGBTQ+ community are 12 to 15% more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol than their straight, gender-conforming peers, and 74% of them struggle with a mental health disorder like depression, anxiety, or trauma [5].

• Spanish-speaking or non-English programs for teens who do not speak fluent English. This is especially common in states like Texas, where there are high rates of immigrant, refugee, or foster teens recovering from substance abuse.

• Faith-based programs that follow a Christ-centered track or incorporate spiritual teachings into the healing and recovery process.

Family Involvement and Support

Rehab programs for teens should include resources for family members and involve them throughout recovery. Many centers offer family therapy, parenting workshops, and family events and keep an open line of communication with parents or caregivers throughout the teens’ time in treatment.

Research shows that involving family in recovery boosts teens’ self-esteem and increases successful treatment outcomes [6].

The Benefits of Inpatient Rehab Programs for Teens

Inpatient rehab is considered one of the most effective forms of treatment for teenage substance abuse and reduces the risk of relapse in the future. There are several benefits of inpatient rehab that make it the right choice for teens with a substance abuse disorder. Two of the most impactful include:

Structured & Safe Environment

Inpatient rehab provides teens with a distraction-free, sober environment to focus their full attention on recovery. Teens won’t be influenced by the triggers or temptations of their everyday lives. During inpatient rehab, addiction counselors, rehab techs, peer specialists, and clinical psychologists provide 24/7 supervision to ensure teens are well taken care of.

Inpatient focuses on keeping teens physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe. Most facilities provide comfortable living spaces, homecooked meals, academic support, medical care, mental health services, academic support, and a recreational or outdoor space.

Inpatient rehab programs also provide a place for teens to build connections with others their age in recovery. This fosters a sense of community and decreases isolation in a generation that increasingly reports feeling lonely. Teen rehab centers also emphasize building connections, responsibility, and having sober fun through recreational activities. During an inpatient program, teens may engage in sports, hiking, yoga, dance, drama and theater, fishing, biking, art projects, and more.

Comprehensive Therapy Options

Inpatient rehab gives teens access to reputable research-backed therapies daily or multiple times a week. Teens in inpatient rehab usually have a one-on-one therapy session every day or every other day and group therapy sessions every day. However, the structure of the program can differ depending on the rehab.

Common mental health therapies that are available in teen rehab include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps teens reframe negative thoughts that drive their substance abuse, develop positive coping skills to curb cravings and relieve stress, and to set recovery goals.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps teens improve their emotional health and teaches them how emotions influence their mood, cognition, and behavior. It focuses on skills like distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and learning how to manage relationships.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps teens access traumatic memories stored deep in the brain and process the associated emotional distress that drives addiction.
• Creative Art Therapies like dance and movement therapy, art therapy, and music therapy help express emotions, relieve stress, curb cravings for drugs or alcohol, and improve self-image.
• Adventure-based therapies like hiking, camping, rock climbing, and surfing offer teens real-world situations that boost confidence and develop resilience and problem-solving skills.

Why Choose Clearfork Academy for Teen Rehab?

Clearfork Academy is a Christ-centered treatment facility focused on treating teenagers who are recovering from addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. They have a trusted reputation in adolescent behavioral healthcare, with residential and outpatient locations across Texas and a clinical team passionate about teen mental health. They are proud to deliver:

• Clinically excellent care
• Real-time family support
• Measurable outcomes
• Faith-optional services (Christian track available)
• Structured inpatient or flexible outpatient programs

Contact Clearfork Academy today to see how they can support your family.

Sources

[1] Residential addiction treatment for adolescents is scarce and expensive. 2024. National Institute of Health.

[2] Mental Health in Texas. 2021. NAMI.

[3] Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy. NCBI Bookshelf.

[4] Substance use, childhood traumatic experience, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. 2010. National Library of Medicine.

[5] Substance Use and Suicide Risk Among LGBTQ Youth. 2022. Trevor Project.

[6] Family Involvement in Treatment and Recovery for Substance Use Disorders among Transition-Age Youth. 2022. National Library of Medicine.