Teenage Substance Abuse Treatment Programs in Maine and New Hampshire
The discovery of drug abuse in a teenager can be a nightmare for parents. Adolescents who experiment with drugs and alcohol are at a higher risk of developing substance addiction in adulthood, and many also struggle with academic difficulties, social challenges, and co-occurring mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.
Understanding how to effectively address substance abuse concerns and where to seek help can significantly reduce the likelihood of addiction as a teen grows older. Residential substance abuse treatment for teens at Ridge RTC in New Hampshire and Maine utilizes individualized therapy and other programs to help teens recover from various addictions, and is uniquely designed for dual diagnosis care.
*Substance use treatment is available for teens only in conjunction with one or more mental health conditions. Learn more about our dual diagnosis track here.
What Leads Teenagers to Abuse Drugs or Alcohol?
The journey towards addiction differs for each person. It is possible for a teen with no risk factors to become addicted after initial or prolonged exposure to drugs or alcohol. It is also possible for a teen with several risk factors to not become addicted, even with regular drug or alcohol use. Specific risk factors inherent to adolescence can also heighten addiction rates among vulnerable groups, including peer substance use and unaddressed mental health disorders.
Mental Health Disorders
The onset of mental health disorders typically occurs during the teenage years and teens may resort to drugs or alcohol to relieve distressing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.
Studies indicate that up to 50% of individuals entering drug and alcohol rehabilitation have a coexisting mental health condition that either triggers or exacerbates their addiction disorder. It’s crucial for parents to ensure their teen receives a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment and management of any underlying mental health conditions.
Common Risk Factors for Teen Substance Abuse
- Aggressive behavior at an early age
- Insufficient parental supervision
- Inadequate social skills
- Substance abuse within the peer group
- Easy access to drugs or alcohol at home, school, or among peers
- Economic hardship
- Unstable home environment
- Experiencing abuse
- Struggles with academic performance or failures
- Having a parent or caregiver involved in drug or alcohol abuse
- Perceiving drug use and drinking as harmless
Studies have shown that the most substantial risk factor for teenage drug abuse is the presence of drugs within the adolescent’s peer group, coupled with insufficient parental supervision. Research also indicates that the most vulnerable times in a teen’s life are during significant transitional periods. These critical moments include divorce or separation, relocation, the loss of a friend or family member, and transitions from elementary school to middle school, high school, and college.
Nonetheless, certain protective factors can help counter these risks. A robust parental bond, academic proficiency, self-control, a strong connection to the neighborhood, and parental supervision can reduce these risk factors and safeguard teens against drug and alcohol abuse.
Motivations for Teen Drug and Alcohol Use
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) highlights several common motivations for teenagers experimenting with drugs and alcohol:
- To conform with friends: If a teenager’s social circle involves drug use, they might experiment to avoid rejection from their peers.
- For exploration: Teen substance abuse can sometimes stem from their natural inclination to take risks, leading them to try drugs and alcohol out of curiosity.
- To enhance performance: When faced with pressure to excel academically or athletically, teens may resort to stimulants and other substances in the belief they offer a competitive edge.
- To experience happiness: For teens struggling with mental health issues, drugs may temporarily alleviate feelings of depression or anxiety.
What Should Parents Do if They Suspect Their Teen Is Using Drugs or Alcohol?
When individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol face the prospect of losing access to the substance, they may react with panic, aggression, and irrational behavior. As such, before talking to a teenager about potential drug use or alcohol addiction, it’s crucial for parents to consult a qualified drug addiction counselor experienced in treating adolescents.
A counselor at Ridge RTC can assist parents in emotionally preparing for this conversation with their teen, help the family establish realistic goals, and address any questions or concerns regarding alcohol and/or drug rehab for teens. While discussions of this nature with a teen may not go as smoothly as parents hope, a counselor offers key guidance for initiating the dialogue and employing de-escalation techniques to maintain a productive conversation.
Painful withdrawal symptoms are possible when a teen stops using a substance. At Ridge RTC, our teens receive care from doctors and medical professionals who can help manage these symptoms in a safe way. Knowing they won’t have to endure withdrawals alone can make the idea of attending our youth addiction treatment less daunting for teens, and gives important peace of mind to parents as well.
Our Admission Process
- Reach Out for Support
Contact us to start the conversation, get answers to your questions, and learn more about our teen programs and treatment options. - Verify Insurance & Explore Financial Options
We will guide you through the insurance verification process and discuss payment options to ensure you understand your coverage and financial responsibilities. - Share Your Story
Open up about your experiences, challenges, and goals so we can understand your individual needs.
- Complete a Pre – Screening Assessment
Clients undergo an evaluation to determine the most suitable treatment approach. - Plan Your Transition to Treatment
Work with our team to arrange travel and logistics prior to admission. - Begin Your Journey to Recovery
Arrive at the facility and take the first step toward healing in a safe and supportive environment. Personalized treatment plans are developed as part of our programs to ensure the best care for teens’ unique needs.
What to Expect from Youth Substance Abuse Programs
Alcohol and drug rehab for teens follows a similar approach to substance use treatment for adults. Typically, this approach begins with medical detoxification to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal period poses the highest risk of relapse and should be medically monitored to ensure a teen’s safety.
When attending a Ridge RTC residential program, teens are placed in a supportive peer environment without access to drugs or alcohol. Through individual, group, and family counseling, teens address substance use and the root causes behind it, with additional holistic therapies to support a full and lasting recovery.
For answers to commonly asked questions about our teen treatment approach and what families can expect during the program, view our Frequently Asked Questions.
Individualized Substance Abuse Help for Teens
Teen counseling helps with the complex emotions of dual diagnosis treatment. It typically involves individual talk therapy combined with group therapy, providing multiple safe spaces where adolescents can openly discuss any issues they face, ranging from relationship challenges to mental health concerns.
Including parents or guardians in a teen’s therapy can be highly advantageous in helping families better understand their child and provide improved care and support, which is why family therapy is another major part of our teen treatment approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Co-occurring disorders, also called dual diagnosis, means a teen has both a mental health condition (like depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or OCD) and a substance use disorder or behavioral addiction. These conditions often develop together and influence each other, requiring integrated treatment that addresses both issues simultaneously.
For co-occurring disorders, teen residential treatment is often recommended because these cases are more complex than treating either condition alone. When teens have both mental health conditions and substance use issues, they benefit from the structured environment, 24/7 professional monitoring, removal from triggers, and intensive daily therapy that residential programs provide. This is especially important when safety concerns exist.
Residential treatment provides immersive, round-the-clock care in a structured environment away from triggers and stressors. Teens live at the facility and receive daily individual therapy, group sessions, psychiatric care, and support. Outpatient treatment allows teens to live at home while attending therapy sessions several times per week. For co-occurring disorders, residential treatment is typically more effective because both conditions require intensive intervention, and the constant support helps prevent relapse.
Yes. Family therapy is a critical component of our teen treatment. We involve families through psychoeducation about both conditions, joint therapy sessions to improve communication, parent coaching on managing behaviors at home, and discharge planning to ensure continued support. Research shows family involvement significantly improves treatment outcomes and reduces relapse rates.
Treatment length varies based on the severity of both the mental health condition and substance use disorder, as well as individual progress. At Paradigm, residential stays typically range from 30 to 90 days. Co-occurring disorder treatment often requires more time than treating a single condition because we must address multiple interconnected issues. We work with each family to determine appropriate duration and develop aftercare plans for ongoing support.
Parent Support
At Paradigm, we see firsthand how being a parent of a teen or young adult struggling with substance abuse is extremely challenging. It can also be a scary experience, with many parents undergoing traumatic and difficult situations before beginning their search for a teen drug rehab or another type of substance use program.
For these and other reasons, we provide comprehensive parental support throughout their child’s stay, including individual parenting therapy sessions, family counseling sessions, group sessions with parents and teens, and parent effectiveness training.
Our therapists help parents become more aware of what their teen is experiencing while providing them with resources and tools to offer support long after they leave our program. Therapists also serve as a bridge of communication between clients and parents, providing a safe, open place for both parties to speak and be heard. Family sessions can be an extremely powerful tool for relational healing and forgiveness, and they help ensure that the lessons learned in teen alcohol treatment are sustainable in the outside world.