Parenting a teenager struggling with addiction is never easy. For many parents, facing their teen’s addiction can bring on feelings of failure and regret. While this is common, it’s important to understand that addiction among teens is increasingly common and treatable. A behavioural addiction treatment program can help parents and teens navigate recovery, their relationships, and a long and healthy sobriety journey.
If your teen is struggling with mental health or addiction, our behavioural addiction treatment programs can help. At Venture Academy, we provide clients ages 18-25 with a multidisciplinary approach to mental health and addiction alongside support for behavioural issues. With three clinics across Canada, we make treatment accessible, even for resistant teens. Reach us now at 866.762.2211 to learn how we can help you and your teen thrive in the face of addiction.
Does My Teen Suffer from an Addiction?
It’s hard to know when your teen is suffering from addiction and co-occurring disorders. Between academic stress, hormonal changes, and social media, every day in a teenager’s life is challenging. Most teens keep their lives pretty secret from their families, making it hard to know if your teen is struggling with addiction or mood disorders. Common signs to look for are:
- A decline in personal hygiene
- Blatant drunkenness
- Missing prescriptions or alcohol at home
- Changes in social behaviour, sleeping patterns, eating, and appetite
- Wearing long sleeves in warm weather
- Mood swings
- Increased irritability
These are only a few signs your teen may be struggling with an addiction or mood disorder. Hormonal changes can shift day-to-day behaviour. However, a decline or prolonged shift in sleeping, mood, social patterns, and hygiene all point to substance abuse and mental health trouble.
Can Behavioural Addiction Treatment Help My Teen?
Behavioural addiction treatment is what it sounds like. Through various forms of therapy, group work, and support, teens are encouraged to change their behaviour. Behavioural treatment varies based on each teen’s needs. In some instances, a teen may thrive in a military school or boot camp. These environments provide rigid structure, physical exertion, and alternative approaches to behavioural changes.
Behavioural therapies are the most common type of addiction therapy for teens and adults. DBT and CBT are the most common. DBT focuses on improving emotional tolerance and helps teens learn how to control their emotions and withstand painful emotions without turning to substance use. CBT focuses on uncovering belief systems, harmful thought patterns, and changing behaviours that lead to addiction. All forms of behavioural therapy work well alongside alternative therapies like art, music, or equine-assisted therapy. They are also highly adaptable and can be used in family therapy to help teens and parents navigate recovery together.
Behavioural therapy can also diagnose co-occurring mood disorders. At least half of people living with addiction also suffer from mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Therapists can treat both with behavioural addiction treatments.
Help Your Teen with Behavioural Addiction Therapy at Venture Academy Today
Finding the right addiction treatment program is never easy, especially for teens. If you’re worried about your teen’s substance abuse, let the team at Venture Academy help. Venture Academy helps young adults ages 10-25 struggling with mental health and substance abuse with a range of treatment programs, including crisis intervention and behavioural addiction treatment.
Our multidisciplinary approach gives teens short-term and long-term care options for a continuum of care that can help young adults become their best selves in later adulthood. Our three clinics are here to provide your family with immediate support with crisis intervention.
Call Venture Academy now at 866.762.2211 to learn more about our programs and get started with behavioural therapy treatments.