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Making the decision to send your teen to inpatient rehab is not easy, but watching them struggle with drug or alcohol addiction is even more difficult. It’s normal to want the best for your kid, and there are a few key things to look for when deciding which treatment is best for your teens’ long-term health and safety.
Inpatient rehab is a high level of care for treating substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. Teens live full-time at the treatment facility with 24/7 structure and supervision. They will participate in a blend of individual therapy, group therapy, medication appointments, and recreational activities.
Read on to understand what to expect when your teen enters inpatient rehab and what to look for in a treatment program.
Understanding Inpatient Rehab for Teens
Inpatient rehab, also referred to as residential treatment, is an intense rehabilitation program at a live-in treatment facility where teens receive around-the-clock care treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health challenges. A typical day in rehab might consist of one-on-one counseling, group therapy, family therapy, medication appointments, life skill workshops, and recreational activities.
When teens enter inpatient rehab, they receive a personalized treatment plan guided by a multi-disciplinary clinical team. Individuals who are part of a teen’s treatment teen may include licensed mental health therapists, addiction specialists, medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and peer specialists. Some things that teens can expect during inpatient rehab include:
- Individual therapy like CBT, DBT, and EMDR
- Group therapy and peer support
- Life skills training (basic household chores like cooking or cleaning, interviewing for jobs, resume building)
- Recreational activities like art, hiking, fishing, sports, musical or theater performances
Key Factors To Consider When Choosing A Teen Rehab Program
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a rehab program for your teen.
What Do They Treat?
Although most teen rehabs tend to cover a range of substance abuse disorders, it’s important to check either on the website or over the phone to make sure they address whatever challenges your teen is experiencing.
For example, some teen rehab programs do not treat opioids like heroin or fentanyl. And others are specifically focused on treating certain substance abuse disorders like opioids or alcohol addiction.
If your teen also struggles with mental health disorders, it’s important to make sure the rehab program offers treatment for co-occurring disorders (sometimes also referred to as dual diagnosis).
Accreditation and Licensing
Accreditation and licensing are one of the most important factors when looking for a rehab program because it ensures that the center follows safety protocols and is licensed to treat in the state. This information is usually available on the center’s website, or you can ask their admissions team directly. Licensed and accreditations to look for include:
- State license for the treatment facility
- The Joint Commission
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Specialized Treatment Programs
If your teen struggles with unique challenges, comes from a marginalized background, has a specific health need that needs to be addressed during treatment, or is simply looking for a faith-based program, there are several specialized rehabs tailored to the individual needs of teens.
- Trauma-informed programs are a kind of co-occurring disorder program that believes strongly that trauma drives substance abuse and is centered around the principles of trauma-focused care, such as safety, empowerment, collaboration, and choice
- Gender-specific programs for teen girls or boys, each with separate campuses or living quarters.
- LGBTQ+ programs for teens who feel more comfortable in a gender-inclusive environment.
- Non-English speaking programs for teenage immigrants, refugees, or foster children recovering from substance abuse.
- Christian programs or other faith-based rehab programs that incorporate spiritual teachings into the healing process.
Covered By Insurance?
A significant barrier for many parents is the cost of inpatient rehab, which can be expensive depending on the center, severity, and insurance. However, many rehabs for youth accept a variety of insurances or work with families to build payment plans that meet their financial needs.
Most rehabs have admission teams available 24/7 to help guide you through the admissions process, verify insurance, and understand your payment options.
Family Involvement and Support
Teen rehabs understand the importance of maintaining social connections and relationships during development and encourage family involvement in the recovery process. Research has shown that involving loved ones in this can improve treatment outcomes. This may include family therapy, open communication with parents, and family events hosted at the facility [1].
Qualified and Experienced Staff
As a parent, it’s understandable to want to know who is on your teens’ treatment team making decisions that can impact their long-term recovery and health. Inpatient rehab clinical teams almost always consist of licensed mental health therapists, addiction counselors, and medical doctors or nurse practitioners.
Some programs may also work with recreational therapists, peer specialists, nutritionists, and life coaches. Most treatment centers’ websites should have a page dedicated to team members where parents can view staff photos, bios, and credentials. However, if you are having trouble finding this, don’t hesitate to ask the admissions team for more information on staff credentials.
Comprehensive Therapy Options
A large portion of rehab is spent in daily therapy sessions. Inpatient programs often offer several options for evidence-based therapies and will connect teens with the treatment that best aligns with their recovery needs. Common therapies in a rehab program for teens include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused therapies like EMDR.
Aftercare Services and Relapse Prevention
Inpatient rehab is one of the most effective courses of treatment for teens recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Teens who complete an inpatient rehab and participate in an aftercare program are less likely to relapse in the following year [2].
Inpatient rehabs offer aftercare and transition services like case management, outpatient therapy, and ongoing peer support programs to help teens smoothly transition back home and reduce the risk of relapse.
Inpatient Rehab Programs for Teens in Texas
Clearfork Academy residential facility is a licensed treatment and rehab center for teens recovering from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders.
We provide around-the-clock care and support to teens on their journey toward sobriety. We offer evidence-based treatments such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR and strive to provide parents with mental health education.
Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your family.
Sources
[1] Family Involvement in Treatment and Recovery for Substance Use Disorders among Transition-Age Youth. 2022. National Library of Medicine.
[2] Specialized Substance Abuse Treatment Programs. National Library of Medicine.
Alumni Relations Manager
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
