PDFRecovery Support - Helping Teens in Early Recovery
When teens enter treatment for drug abuse or alcoholism, the goal is always to help them quit completely. While some adults can learn to drink in moderation, this approach does not work with teens. For one thing, it is illegal for teens to drink or use drugs. In addition, new research points to the facts that the human brain does not completely develop until after age twenty or so, and alcohol has a more detrimental effect on immature brains. Normal hormonal changes that cause adolescent "ups and downs" also make it impossible for teens to handle mood-altering chemicals. They become more easily and more quickly addicted than adults. Indeed, a 2002 study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse shows that 47% of adult alcoholics were addicted before age 21. There is also new evidence that teens who enter treatment do better than those who wait, because addiction becomes more entrenched and harder to treat in adulthood.
The good news is that addiction treatment for teenagers is becoming more high-tech and more effective than ever. Scientists are constantly testing new techniques and new drugs like Antabuse, Natrexone, and Acamprosate. There are ongoing experiments with wearable bio-monitoring instruments that detect stress and anxiety. If a teen's stress level is too high, the device sends messages to the cellphones of his therapist or others in his support network.
Professionals in this field recognize three stages of addiction treatment. The first stage is the period when the teen becomes "clean." Detoxification can take place in a residential setting or on an out-patient basis, and usually involves not only physical withdrawal from the addictive substance, but also intensive individual counseling and attendance in classes, where the teen learns to understand her addiction. Aftercare treatment is about maintaining abstinence. A teen in aftercare may continue in individual counseling, attend 12-step meetings, and undergo monitoring through urine tests. The final stage of treatment is relapse prevention.
To "relapse" means to fall back into drinking or drug abuse after a period of abstinence. Relapsing is so common that it is predictable and expected. Between 50% and 90% of addicts relapse at least once in the first four years of sobriety, and most relapse many times. One study showed that the average alcoholic quits only after the fourth attempt at sobriety. A study by the Hazelden Foundation found that smokers relapse an average of eleven times before they finally quit.
Relapsing often puzzles those who love the addict. Why would someone who worked so hard to achieve sobriety throw it away? Why does a teen who was ruining her life on drugs go back to them after enjoying months of freedom? The answer lies partly in the fact that most addicts truly "love" their chemical and the mood-altering states of mind it produces. One former alcoholic wrote, "Drinking is really nice. There's a wonderful moment when the lights go down and everything is under control, and there's a feeling of absolute serenity that only good experienced drinkers achieve."
In the early stages of recovery, alcoholics often dream about the pleasures of drinking and drugs. Many have such strong cravings that their thoughts become obsessive. They may go through a period of grief and depression, often coupled with sleeplessness. Addicts tell their counselors that everyday occurrences like hearing a certain song on the radio can trigger intense cravings and relapses.
During relapse prevention therapy, a teen learns to understand such "triggers." Adult addicts report their most common "triggers" are stress and conflicts with spouses and bosses; however, teen addicts say that they have the most trouble in social situations where drugs and alcohol are available. They have to learn to recognize their individual "high risk" situations, and then mentally practice with a therapist how to handle a situation if it comes up. Since the most common cause of teen relapse is being around other users, teens usually have to form friendships with non-users and non-drinkers to remain permanently abstinent. Most teen addicts have to learn how to handle everyday stress through healthy activities like exercise, meditation, talking to a friend, etc.
Because nearly every teen relapses, counselors are getting away from the "all or nothing" theory of addiction. "Falling off the wagon" does not necessarily mean a return to lifelong addiction. A teen can think of a relapse as only temporary, and it can even become a learning experience for next time.
How can parents and friends help a teenager in early recovery? First, it is important not to have liquor or drugs available to the teen. Don't drink in front of a teen in early recovery. One study showed that if a person in early recovery is living with another addict, the odds of relapse increase by two to three times.
You can try celebrating and rewarding your teen for good behaviors such as her attendance at meetings and therapy appointments, taking medications as prescribed, and having good test outcomes. This is called "contingency management" and was used at a Johns Hopkins treatment center for cocaine addicts with excellent results.
Encourage your teen to develop friendships with non-users and help her keep busy life with new hobbies and interests. Boredom triggers relapses.
Don't nag, preach or overreact if your teen relapses. Discuss your concerns with a therapist or in a support group, not with your teen. Don't cover for your teen by making excuses for him. If your teen wants to talk about her addiction, keep the talk open and honest. Take care of yourself and your own emotional needs so that you can create a calm atmosphere at home. Give yourself credit for helping your child through a difficult period. You did the right thing by facing the problem and getting help: others have gotten through it and so will you.
