You have watched your son spiral into a downward cycle of drug experimentation, abuse and addiction. All of your efforts to help him thus far have failed. But there is still hope for change. If you are at your wit’s end, you might want to consider a residential treatment center for troubled boys. This type of program combines drug treatment with mental health counseling in order to effectively address the issues that your son faces.
How an In-Patient Facility Can Help Your Teen
Your child can take control of his life and accept responsibility for his actions and his future. In addition to substance abuse and addictions, our program addresses the following behaviors and problems:
- Defiance and disrespect at home
- Low self-esteem
- Adoption
- Attachment disorders
- Scholastic difficulties, including poor grades and truancy
- Depression and anxiety
- ADD/ADHD
- Behavioral or emotional struggles, including withdrawing, rage, isolation and shutdown and
- Suicide threats or attempts.
Left untreated, any of these issues could worsen and result in serious, dangerous or even deadly outcomes. The best time to act is before your son turns 18 because once he becomes an adult, you will have little control over his behavior. Early intervention can be a key to his successful recovery.
Statistics on Teen Substance Abuse
The data on teen substance abuse shows the seriousness of the problem and the impact of drug use on teen boys. Boys who struggled with low self-esteem in middle school had a 1.6 greater risk of becoming drug dependent nine years later. Nine million teens and young adults ranging from 12 to 25 are drug dependent across the nation. Of these, about two million are adolescents. However, nearly 90 percent are not receiving the help they need for their substance abuse addiction. But troubled boys like your son have broken bad cycles and turned their lives around at a residential treatment center.
Taking Positive Steps
In the meantime, here are a few positive steps that you can take to help your struggling adolescent:
- Don’t blame yourself. Parents tend to shoulder a lot of guilt for what they should or should not have done. At this point, it’s time to move beyond blame and look at where you and your child are right now and how you can move forward.
- Work on ways to connect with him. While he seems angry, he still wants your acceptance, approval and love. Look at what makes him tick. Is it a gift? Quality time with you? Words of encouragement? Acts of service, such as fixing his favorite meal? An affectionate hug or a back rub? One or more of these languages will communicate your love for him and help him open up to you emotionally.
- Manage your own stress. It’s okay to tell your son that you are upset or facing a business deadline and that you will need to wait to have a conversation. Emphasize that he is important to you and make sure to set a time to talk.
- Be present. While your son might refuse to go out for a frothy coffee with you, make the most of the time that you do have. Schedule meals together without interruptions or electronics. Even if he doesn’t say much, he will know that you value family time together and might open up down the road.
- Listen. Just listen. Don’t judge or criticize or even offer advice right now. Look at him while he is talking and focus on what he is telling you.