Watching anyone struggle with a substance use disorder is difficult and painful, but it is particularly so for parents of teens. While experimentation with drugs and alcohol is often expected during the teenage years, parents should never turn a blind eye to it. Research indicates that one in four Americans who start using drugs or alcohol before age 18 will develop an addiction later in life.
Teens’ perceptions of substance use and associated risks begin at home but are also heavily influenced by peers, social media, and pop culture. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use is typically glamorized in television and movies, where the harmful effects are downplayed. If you suspect your teen is using or abusing drugs or alcohol, it is imperative to intervene immediately. A teen crisis intervention program can provide the support you and your teen need. Learn more by calling Imagine Nampa today at 888.503.4604.
Planning a Teen Crisis Intervention
An intervention is an opportunity for parents and other significant figures in a teen’s life to express their support and encourage the teen to seek the help they need. Interventions can be complicated and must be well-planned to account for various reactions and held in a safe space.
An informal intervention typically involves parents talking with their teens about substance use in general. The goal is to educate them about the potential dangers of alcohol and drug use and dispel any misinformation. Informal interventions can help prevent experimentation and allow parents to gauge where their teen is in terms of substance use.
A formal intervention is more involved and needed when there is clear evidence of ongoing substance abuse. If you believe your teen needs a formal intervention, consider the following tips:
- Choose a small group of people who are close to your teen and committed to supporting them
- Arrange to hold the intervention in a neutral setting where everyone will feel safe
- Pick a time that is convenient for everyone so that no one has to arrive late or leave early
- Have a practice intervention where participants can rehearse what they will say and how they will react to your teen
- Reach out to a professional interventionist for support and guidance
Ideally, your teen should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the intervention. You should be ready to present the consequences of your teen’s substance use and treatment options. Not all interventions result in your teen agreeing to go into treatment, so you must be prepared to present ultimatums for what will happen if your teen refuses.
What to Expect from a Crisis Intervention Program for Teens
The main goal of an intervention is to get your teen to agree to treatment and help them stabilize. Other objectives of crisis intervention can include the following:
- Fostering healthy functioning
- Promoting the development of coping and problem-solving skills
- Reducing the intensity of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to the crisis
- Teaching emotional self-regulation
- Teaching prevention strategies for self-harm
- Building self-awareness and self-confidence
- Relapse prevention
Parents must understand that crisis intervention is the first step in stabilizing emotions and behaviors so teens are ready to identify and address the underlying roots of their substance use.
Contact Imagine Nampa Today for Teen Intervention
Whether your teen is abusing drugs or alcohol or is experiencing a mental health crisis, Imagine Nampa can help. We specialize in crisis intervention and teen mental health programs for Idaho adolescents ages twelve to seventeen.
Our trauma-informed, evidence-based, holistic approach teaches teens how to cope with their challenges healthily while eliminating their reliance on maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Along with crisis intervention, we offer the following:
- Individual counseling
- Family counseling
- Group therapy with peers
- Mental health counseling and intervention
- Psychiatric and nursing care
- Family healing and support groups
Ignoring or dismissing the signs and symptoms of substance abuse or another crisis will only lead to more substantial challenges for your teen. Reach out to Imagine Nampa today at 888.503.4604 to learn how we can help your teen and family. You can also fill out our online contact form and let us get back to you.