If you believe your child is drowning in a substance abuse problem, teen rehabs are a vital life-preserver. Many parents shy away from the idea, believing the problem is somehow their fault, and they should be able to fix it. Perhaps their children use illicit drugs infrequently and parents question whether they are addicted. Maybe they only use the substances in safe environments and that element of control means they aren’t ready for teen rehabs yet. Or the parents may believe that teen substance abuse is a phase, like a “rite of passage” and children will get beyond it without assistance.

Is adolescent drug abuse such a severe problem that it requires treatment in teen rehabs? The answer is a resounding “yes“. Kids are still developing physically. They could have permanent organ damage as a result of using, and/or abusing drugs. And, research confirms that our children’s brains are not fully developed until about the age of thirty. Drug abuse could slow the growth of your child’s brain. It could cause emotional and social delays, or even impair his ability to learn.

Without proof, how can we be sure our children have addiction problems at all, let alone something that requires treatment? Certainly, it is difficult to catch teens in the act of substance abuse. If we feel guilty about our part in the addiction, it may cloud our ability to assess our child’s problem. Teen substance abusers, like their adult counterparts, try to shift the blame for their behavior to others. It is a hard thing to do, but parents have to trust their instincts and hold their adolescents accountable. The sooner children are given help, the more hope there is for their recovery.

But isn’t there some sign we can watch for to know if our children might be abusing drugs? Absolutely, there are. Have their grades fallen, or has their behavior worsened? Are they distancing themselves from his family and friends? Do they have uncharacteristic mood swings? Have eating habits changed? Are there changes in appearance, such as his hygiene, or dress? Are your children running with a different crowd, perhaps with troubled kids? These may be the signposts you need to point you toward getting help for your children.

How do we choose good teen rehabs? Do your research. Good facilities stabilize the children immediately, to make sure they are not in danger from withdrawal. There are counselors available to give kids the tools they need to cope with uncomfortable situations, and not try to escape them through substance abuse. Good teen rehabs will include the family in therapy, and help the child resolve or deal with issues in his past. It helps the child accept responsibility for his actions and, if possible, to make reparations. And it is vital, for you and your child, that the facility gives the child a plan to stay sober after discharge.