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This seems to be the number one question these days, and understandably so! COVID-19 has affected many aspects of everyday life, but the truth is, addiction hasn’t stopped. Substance abuse and mental health can’t wait! Your son’s treatment is still essential, and we are ready and equipped to help.

“We’ve been here every day since March, and we continue to fight the good fight for our kids and for our families.”

– Austin Davis, LPC-S, Founder/CEO

So, what are we doing to ensure your son’s health and safety? We are following all policies and procedures as required by the CDC, in addition to our regular health and safety protocols. This includes things like temperature checks for anyone entering the building, twice a day cleaning of high traffic areas, and pre-screening of all new admissions for COVID-19 symptoms. Here are some additional ways we are prepared to keep your son healthy and safe:

• Social Distancing – Our facility is situated on over 80 acres of land, so it’s really easy for us to spread out! It also means your son can take part in plenty of fun outdoor activities, and avoid enclosed spaces.

• No Large Crowds – We have one staff member for every four clients. Our groups are kept small, and our counselors maintain individual case loads. This means your son will only be around a small group of people on a regular basis.

• Medical Staff – Not only do we have an MD on staff, we also provide nurses 24/7! We have all necessary PPE equipment available as needed, and a plan in place if anyone should become sick. If your son needs medical attention in any capacity, we are already equipped to handle it!

• Distance Learning – We have a partnership with the University of Texas Charter School already in place. Our staff works alongside the charter school teachers to ensure that each student stays on track academically. Through this partnership, your son is able to stay in school from the safety of our facility.

• No Visitors – As a COVID-19 precaution, family members are not permitted to visit our facility at this time. The good news is, we already have a system in place to make sure you are still able to meet with your son! For the last several years, we have offered our non-local clients the option of Zoom meetings. Now we are able to offer this option to all of our families, to ensure your time with your son.

At Clearfork, our staff is highly trained, and we have your son’s well-being in mind at all times. We are taking every precaution to keep him safe while he’s in our care. If you have other specific questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Don’t let COVID-19 keep you from getting your son the help he needs.

To speak to our clinical admission specialists for professional guidance, call 888-966-8604 or visit our website at www.clearforkacademy.com!

When you think about summer you might think of the hot summer sun, beaches, the lake, vacation, or snow cones (or ice cream)… mmm. But if you are a parent you think of unsupervised children for extended periods of time during their long summer break. You worry about what they could be getting into, who they could be seeing, or even where they are.

You can provide a way to gain back some of your sanity by introducing some of these ideas to your kids. Do it in a way that makes it their idea if you have to. Get them engaged in something other than the TV or Snapchat and Instagram. You have a very limited time with your kids, 18 years for most parents.

That’s only 936 weeks to take advantage of that time and embrace their curiosities and ideas without moaning an exhaustive, overly boring yawn every time they want to do something… for the hundredth time.

1. Get Them Interested in a Career

Encourage them to get a summer job. Not only does it keep them less involved with bad influences it also builds lasting character in them that they can carry into adulthood. Share with your kids the importance of financial responsibilities and security. Summer jobs don’t have to be monotonous and uninteresting either. Consider amusement parks and water parks, jobs at the zoo, or summer camps.

Some of these jobs come with the added benefit of being able to get into the park for free or discounted rates. Even being a golf caddy, sports ref, or barista can be an exciting job that builds on a current hobby. Consider the fact that these jobs are summer jobs and they do not have to be permanent so your teen can try different jobs every summer and see what works for them. There is no obligation to stay at the job as long as your teen is upfront about the intention of the job being a temporary summer position.

2. Help Them Get into Extracurricular Activities

Preferably ones that get them out of the house and out of their comfort zone. Pursuing an interest that presents some reservations because it is out of there norm may produce in them the ability to step away from peer pressure situations. While all their friends are pursuing something that is morally wrong, they will begin to flee from it because it no longer feels comfortable just because their peers are engaging in it.

Think of this as an opportunity to invest in their future by finding a hobby that sparks interest in them in a healthy way and literally buying into it.

If they become interested in woodworking maybe pay for them to get into a 4 to 6-week hands-on woodworking class. This has a dual purpose; they can pursue something they are actually attentive to and it keeps them preoccupied during those long summer breaks.

3. Taking Family Trips

Taking family trips is a fun exciting way to get the entire family involved in stepping away from life and taking a break to recharge. Even if you cannot afford to take some big family cruise somewhere consider the “stay-cation” not only is it good on your budget it allows you to explore your city or the ones surrounding it. This is a great opportunity to have them do the leg work for the trip; finding deals, researching the times and costs of the activities they want to do.

Remember that this is a family vacation and the events and activities should be pertinent to them.

Save the not-so-kid-friendly activities like watching the grass grow for another time (unless they are into it.) After all, you only have 18 short years (or less) with your kids. Find a supervisory balance during these trips. You want to allow your kids some freedom while maintaining your parental responsibilities. Give them some freedom to explore but do not lose sight of your intention to draw closer as a family.

4. Have Fun with Them

Lastly, do something fun with your kids. Not something you think is fun. Find that movie they love, that place they like to eat, the sweet kicks convention they have been begging to go to, or even the Taylor Swift concert and make it an event for them. Let them make the choice and plan the day.

Roll with it, whatever it is.

Get involved with their lives authentically and remember that you are there to guide them but also that you were a kid once too. You were probably into some really cheesy, boring stuff too. So, take the selfie and show interest in things they like even if you have no clue what dope, Gucci, and lit mean. Cool, good, and amazing respectively. But do it without being thirsty (trying to get attention) or throwing shade (giving dirty looks).

Ultimately, build a genuine connection with them and allow them to get into healthy activities and hobbies. If it seems mind-numbing and uninteresting to you consider that it could be much worse and in too many homes across the world it is. Take interest in their hopes and dreams specifically in 9^th and 10^th grade because their minds are exploding with new interests and curiosities. Keep them on track with what is good in life, so you do not have to bury them early because they jumped onboard with drug and alcohol abuse. Steer their choices by engaging in what they like so that they will be more willing to pursue them.

They want to connect with you so give them a way to do it.

Although, substance abuse treatment is often regarded as being the same across the board there are several differences. Specifically differences for adults and teens. In the following, we will show you some ways that Clearfork Academy is different.

Substance abuse treatment is most successful when the treatment program is personalized to an individual’s specific needs. Most of the time a treatment program is tailored to those individuals based on their developmental needs which are most often determined by age. Because adolescents have vastly different developmental, psychological, and physical needs compared to adults and because this is the time frame in which most people experiment with drugs and alcohol, it is imperative that treatment is finely tuned to fit the needs of our teens. Since the program is personalized to fit their needs it builds a better foundation for our teens to succeed when they leave treatment. It provides a firm foundation for them to rebuild upon and they have a greater understanding of their underlying issues.

INITIAL DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing substance abuse in teens and adults varies slightly. The use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has a set of 11 criteria the help determine the presence and severity of a substance use disorder.

• Using more of the substance or using it longer than intended
• Needing more of the substance over time to get the same effect
• Craving the substance
• Spending large amounts of time using or seeking the substance
• Developing relationship issues over substance use
• Having physical or psychological problems related to substance use
• Spending less time in favorite activities due to substance use
• Neglecting work, home, or school responsibilities due to substance use or its effects
• Using the substance in dangerous situations
• Being unable to stop using the substance even in the face of consequences
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if substance use is stopped

In adults the presence of 3 or more of these symptoms is an indication of a substance use disorder, however, many signs and symptoms presented in the DSM-5 are normative behaviors for teens. For this very reason, substance use in adolescents is often missed or overlooked as being part of “normal” youth development. Because of this, it is suggested to look at some of the criteria more rigorously. For Example:

• Tolerance – Adolescents may more quickly develop a tolerance for substances for a variety of reasons, especially when moving from experimentation to more regular use.
• Risky behaviors – Adults are more likely than teens to engage in hazardous activities while using drugs or alcohol partly because teens have limited access to these activities.
• Withdrawal – These symptoms usually appear after years of drug abuse, making them less likely to occurs in teens, even with frequent heavy use. But just because the signs are not there does not mean substance use disorder is not present.
• Cravings – The existence of cravings and how they are defined in teens may be vague. Some teens who use heavily report cravings, however, the definition of cravings for younger people may affect whether or not they are reported accurately.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Family participation is considered extremely vital in helping teens reduce their drug or alcohol use. Since teenagers have a required dependency on the family for many things including; transportation, monetary stability, living arrangements, and emotional connection, keeping the family involved in the recovery process increases the likelihood of follow-through. At Clearfork Academy we format this in a weekly meeting we do every Saturday before visitation with our client’s families called T.E.A.M. This resource explores ideas that the families can implement while their teen is in treatment. It provides parents and other loved relatives the chance to work on things while their teen is working on things. All of this then comes to the forefront in individual and family counseling sessions. This ensures that the family is growing together rather than becoming further separated by the distance that addiction causes.

AFTER-CARE

Drug and alcohol abuse recovery is a collective responsibility that requires community across all facets of an individual’s life. Many adults tend to relapse due to stress or other negative emotional effects. For teens, aftercare and relapse prevention require a different direction. Teenage relapse risk is primarily based on peer pressure and the feeling that continuing to abuse substances contributes to social standing. We begin planning their next steps within the first week in treatment. We want our kids to succeed so we begin making connections for them outside of residential treatment at Clearfork Academy. Whether that means going to an Intensive Outpatient Program three times a week for a few hours upon discharge or going to a Sober Living facility that will maintain accountability or helping them find a Sober High School in their area. All of the decisions are made with the teen and their parent. We empower the teen to present their ideas to their parents which allows them the ability to confront a situation constructively and with compromise in mind.

MENTORSHIP

When working with teens if they are not mentally stimulated, encouraged, or motivated regularly they begin to take steps backward impeding the recovery process, so we are constantly engaging them, showing interest in them and walking right beside them in this battle of recovery. When we continue to build this rapport, it provides a safe space for the teens to open up and share what is going on beneath the surface. We know that most teens are rightly reluctant to open up to strangers so our Recovery Team, from the CEO all the way down, have to be seen as mentors for our teens. We take time and go out of our way to connect with our teens and they become family the moment they arrive on campus. We remind them they do not ever have to do this alone. We show them that we care by forming relationships with them and confronting challenges beside them.

INFORMATION PRESENTATION

The teenage brain is still developing and at a rapid pace, therefore, they do not always make logical decisions. In fact, the information is often perceived in a very different way than the adult brain. We have to focus on emotional reasoning rather than logical reasoning. They act purely on impulse and emotion, so we take that momentum and drive it into a more positive decision. We fuel them with positivity so that when a moment or difficult situation presents itself their impulse is to remain positive. We cannot give our teens a dissertation of the day’s events, they need short, quick facts. Brevity is the key to presenting the information in a way that they can digest. We cannot say:

“Good morning. Today’s weather is sunny and 79*. First, we are going to have hygiene time so make sure you give yourself enough time to get all that done, and your bed made. Then, we are going to do our morning devotional and talk about our 3 G’s. Afterward, we are going to eat breakfast, I think its biscuits and gravy today, and then we are going to do our chores. Make sure you get with your teammate for your zone to split your chores. After that, we are going to have a process group about the addiction cycle that you learned about yesterday…”

Instead, we just say, “Good morning. Time to hygiene. After that get out to the couch so we can do morning devotional.”

When we give them short bursts of the direction it is easier for them to process and stay on task. It provides them very rigid boundaries about what we are expecting from them at that moment.

IN CLOSING…

Our team is dedicated to the process and they are willing to walk alongside our teens through the thick and thin of a life in recovery. We understand that addiction can take a toll on a teen and their family and that is the way we take our unique approach in presenting information clearly and directly to our teens while keeping their families engaged in the process. We believe that through balancing all of these aspects and more in the boundaries of treatment that a teen can be successful in recovery and that they will become a vessel of change for those around them.

You’ve discovered that your teenager has been using drugs. You most likely have a strong desire to confront your teen, harnessing your parental authority to reprimand their behavior. Being teenagers, they’ll likely meet your threats and demands with equal resistance and a passionate assurance that you have no idea what it’s like to be them. This argument could go on for hours but, in truth, there’s no productive resolution here.

Don’t give up hope.

It’s completely normal for any teen to naturally push their parents away, especially when drugs are involved. If there’s any hope in getting through to your child, you’ll need to approach the situation delicately.

Your first step should be a casual, empathetic conversation, realizing that your teen is probably just as frightened as you are. Choose a non-threatening environment, like a restaurant or a park. Remain calm as you address your concerns, asking questions to learn and understand the thinking behind their decisions. If you are met with resistance and defensive anger, move on from the discussion, making sure not to escalate the situation further.

If you’re not having any luck with this approach, your next step should be organizing a formal intervention.

When planning an intervention for your teen, it’s important to have a plan. Don’t just round up every friend and neighbor and corner your child in their bedroom. Below are a few considerations to be made in advance that will increase the likelihood of your message being received.

Location

Similar to your first attempt, choose a location that’s comfortable, private, and non-threatening. If possible, try to stage your intervention outside of the home, like at a friend or relative’s house.

Who To Include

Invite close friends and family members who have been impacted by your child’s behaviors. Think about including influential figures in your child’s life, such as coaches, pastors, or other mentor-like figures who may be willing to participate.

Know The Facts

Before the intervention, do some research to learn how addiction is treated and what the recovery process looks like. Keep in mind that your teen is likely scared of what may happen during treatment, and you should be prepared to address the concerns they have.

The Conversation

Participants should share how they’ve been affected by the child’s behavior, making sure to use “I feel” statements. Make sure to keep the conversation centered around how you and others have been hurt without pointing fingers and making your teen feel guilty or defensive.

Be Tough, But Loving

Lay out what is going to change if your child does not agree to treatment. Explain that privileges, such as vehicle use, allowance, cell phone, etc., will be withheld until they agree to get help.

Follow Through

None of your threats will hold any merit without your commitment to follow through. Don’t let your teen convince you to make exceptions; stand firm in your decisions.

Throughout the intervention process, stress your desire for your child to get treatment. If they agree, at any point, immediately take them to a predetermined treatment facility. If you can, review the treatment center’s guide regarding “what to bring” and have a bag packed for your child in advance.

If your teen walks out of the intervention, or consistently refuses to get help, end the intervention. For now, stick to the consequences you outlined earlier, and begin planning for another intervention.

Don’t be discouraged if your attempts fail the first few times. In many cases, it can take several conversations to get the response you would like. Be persistent, but don’t push too hard. Sometimes a little patience will go a long way.

As parents, it’s easy to forget the challenges our teens face in our popularity-driven culture. The overwhelming pressure of fitting in, the emotional toll of rejection, and the stress of academic success can all increase a teenager’s risk of caving in to any number of dangerous behaviors.

For some teens, drug and alcohol abuse is a tool to fit in or cope with the hardships of growing up. But, the truth is that too many parents miss the warning signs associated with teen substance abuse which, too often, wind up revealing themselves much too late.

Here are a few signs to look for:

Physical Signs

• Bloodshot eyes: Sure, maybe your teen was up all night studying for an exam, but expanding blood vessels in the eyes is common in alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana use. Abnormal changes in pupil size may also be caused by substance use.
• Changes in hygiene: Teenagers go through quite a few physical changes, which can be both seen and smelled. But are these differences a result of a changing body or their changing habits? Substance abusers often have a tendency to neglect their hygiene and personal appearance.
• Change in appetite: Depending on the substance, appetites can either increase or decrease, leading to sudden fluctuations in eating habits and weight gain or loss.

Behavioral and Psychological Signs

• Academic performance: Substance abuse changes the brain in many ways, so if your teen’s grades are suffering- especially if they had previously averaged good marks- this may be an indicator of substance abuse.
• Missing items: Drugs and alcohol cost money. If you’ve been suspiciously losing cash or other valuables recently, they may be funding your teenager’s habit. Also, pay special attention to disappearing prescription medications that are accessible throughout the home.
• Changes in friends: Teen substance abuse is common in kids struggling to fit in. If they’ve recently begun “fitting in” with an unusual crowd, drugs and alcohol may be at the heart of this friendship.
• Mood or personality changes: This one may seem laughable because, well, they’re teenagers. But outbursts of spontaneous anger or agitation may be an effect of drug or alcohol use.

Looking back at these possible signs of substance abuse, it’s understandable how each one could easily be mistaken for today’s typical teen. Even so, if you observe any combination of these changes in your child, question the reason behind them. Be objective and open to the possibility that your teen could be using drugs or alcohol, even if that means accepting this commonly denied truth.

Take a look at a more comprehensive list of signs and symptoms here: https://clearforkacademy.com/who-we-help/

If you’re considering getting help for your addiction, the treatment possibilities can be overwhelming. You likely have many uncertainties and questions like, “what type of treatment is best for me?” or “will any of this really work?” After all, no one can truly guarantee that you’ll actually achieve sobriety, right?

That’s a true statement. But what if it were possible to find a place where hope powerfully drowned out your doubts and instilled within you strength and perseverance? In fact, there is such a place, and all you need to find it is a little bit of faith.

“Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me,” says Psalm 50:15. What greater joy than the assurance of healing? When you choose a faith-based recovery program, you’ll get evidence-driven clinical treatment, similar to that of the typical treatment facility, with the added confidence that comes from belief in a higher power.

Because recovery is more than just kicking a bad habit, the foundation of a faith-based treatment program empowers people in recovery through biblical teachings and philosophy to build a complete, healthy lifestyle. In fact, embracing these Christian values throughout treatment can be a critical element in recovery for many.

Addiction is not simply a physical dependency, it also takes its toll on the mind, body, and spirit. Those who struggle with addiction can be overcome with guilt and shame. But we know that, through Christ, we are forgiven. Once that settles in, it becomes easier to acknowledge those around us who we’ve hurt, and ask forgiveness of them. Similarly, we can extend the same love, grace, and forgiveness to those who may have hurt us, as well.

No doubt, one of the strongest benefits of faith-based recovery is the opportunity to receive an opportunity for a second chance. Throughout the recovery process, the values of Christian living help guide addicts in restructuring their lifestyle and starting fresh.

It’s true, no one can guarantee your complete recovery. But, through a faith-based recovery program, you’ll be on the receiving end of a promise much larger than anyone else can offer.