More than 80% of youth who have completed a chemical dependency treatment program are unable to maintain sobriety after returning to their home, school, and old peer group. (Source: SAMSHA)
There's nothing more gut-wrenching for a parent than to deal with their teenager's drug addiction. It's like a slow death, not just for the teen, but for the the entire family. And it won't get better without treatment and ongoing support, sometimes spanning the addict's entire life. That's why it's far better for parents to test for and catch substance abuse early, before it gets a foothold.
Sadly, more than a million teenagers are admitted every year to drug or alcohol abuse treatment programs. These adolescents come through a 30-, 60-, or 90-day treatment program, only to find it impossible to maintain their sobriety, because their peers and influences back home haven't changed. Without ongoing help, they return to drinking or drugs most of the time.
The teen eventually needs to return home. Once there, they will face the same negative influences that got them into substance abuse in the first place. So, if they've had serious addictions, they'll need ongoing support and counsel to keep them on track and sober, sometimes lasting months or years. Don't ever think that a treatment program or rehab is a "cure." It's just a fresh start down the road to recovery.
To aid in recovery, there are a number of public school districts across the country offering programs specifically designed to provide a sober environment for teens. Commonly referred to as recovery high schools, sober high schools, or rehab high schools, they feature a high school curriculum along with recovery support services and a typical 12-Step model of recovery.
A typical sober school program provides the following support:
1. They address the risk for relapse by enforcing a strict no-drug-use policy, and expect recovery and sobriety as a social norm for students in their program. No exceptions. A code of discipline and accountability involves both the student and parents.
2. Specially trained, caring personnel pursue a student's complete success, both in academics and in life. This may include a full or part-time licensed counselor, or a relationship with an outside agency acting as a consultant, in the event of a student crisis or relapse.
3. They provide positive academic and recreational activities, and community exposure within a protected environment.
4. Their operate at the individual, peer group, and social network level, and not just within the bounds of the school setting, to protect the teen from relapse.
5. They assess work readiness, job skills, and sometimes provide limited vocational training.
6. They focus on the positive steps a teen has made in his life, and build on them, rather than focusing on a teen's past failures, or what he's done wrong.
Sending a teen directly home to their old environment from drug treatment sometimes results in an endless cycle of relapse-treatment-relapse. Your teen doesn't have to go through "treatment" to be a part of this alternative environment. It might be a good thing to look into such a program, should your child need an environment that is working for them and not against them. Check with your local school district to see if there is a sober school program near you.
March 5, 2010
Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, national radio host, and the founder of Heartlight, a residential counseling opportunity for struggling adolescents, which is located in East Texas. For more articles, visit www.markgregston.com.