If we think our child has a problem with alcohol or drugs, how do we talk to them about treatment?
Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or any other person who cares about a child’s future, the adult concerned about a teenager who drinks too much or who uses other drugs has plenty of company. Today, thousands of other parents are struggling with the same questions you may be facing. You see that your child is not only hurting themselves, they are hurting their family. We often find that for every teenager with an alcohol-drug problem, at least four others are affected by their behavior. This does not mean that your adolescent will cooperate at first with going to treatment. Don’t be afraid to talk about the problem honestly and openly. It is easy to be too polite or to duck the issue by saying, “After all, all kids experiment with alcohol and drugs”. But, it isn’t right to let them destroy their lives. Don’t believe for a minute the saying that “Nothing can be done unless the teen wants help”. This is not true. Treatment is as successful with teens who say, “No way!” as those who accept without an argument. Be compassionate, patient, don’t preach or blame, but act. Knowing that you care makes it easier for your child to see what is best and that treatment is not a punishment for past mistakes. Your moral support and promise to participate personally, every step of the way, make treatment seem like a shared experience.

What do most teens say when they graduate from the Red Mountain program?
"I didn't want to be here, but I am so glad I was."

Why do adolescents abuse substances?
Many adolescents use alcohol and other drugs. Some develop serious problems that require professional help to control. Adolescence is a time for trying new things. Teens use alcohol and other drugs for many reasons, including curiosity, because it feels good, to reduce stress, to feel grown up, or to fit in. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems. There are many possible causes, some of which may become clear only as treatment progresses.

What drugs do teens abuse?
Teenagers abuse a variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. Legally available drugs include alcohol, prescribed medications, inhalants (fumes from glues, aerosols, and solvents) and over-the-counter cough, cold, sleep, and diet medications. The most commonly used illegal drugs are marijuana (pot), stimulants (cocaine, meth, and speed), LSD, PCP, opiates, heroin, and designer drugs (Ecstasy). Experimentation with illegal drugs is more common than most parents realize, especially among young teens. The average age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age 12. The use of marijuana and alcohol in high school has become common.

What are the warning signs of abuse?
Parents can use these early warning signs of developing problems:

• Paraphernalia: You find evidence of alcohol or drugs, liquor bottles, beer cans, marijuana, a pipe, etc.

• Physical: Your teen says they are too tired to do things, repeatedly have health complaints, sometimes have red or glazed eyes, a lasting cough, or they smell like alcohol or other substances.

• Emotional: Their personality changes sometimes. Some days their moods change back and forth from normal to being irritable. They engage in irresponsible behavior that upsets everyone and then give excuses that do not make sense. You can see they have low self-esteem even when they act as though they do not need anyone. Their judgment is poor, so they get into trouble or set off arguments. They are depressed. They always make excuses for not getting involved in family activities and have a general lack of interest in anything not having to do with their own interests.

• Behavior: They lie or are evasive about after school activities, weekend whereabouts, or where they have been. They come home intoxicated.

• Legal Trouble: They have traffic tickets or brushes with the law.

• Family: Tension between your teen and other family members gets to be so bad people lose their temper or walk out. Your teen starts arguments by breaking rules, promises, is not responsible, or withdraws from the family.

• School: They are not interested in school, are falling behind and make excuses, have a negative attitude about everyone there, their grades have dropped, and the school calls because of discipline problems.

• Social problems: They have friends who are less interested in standard home and school activities, who have problems with the law, talk against everyone, and with whom your teen seems to get into trouble.

Some of these warning signs can also point to other problems. An effective way for parents to show care and concern is to openly discuss the use and possible abuse of alcohol and other drugs with their teenager.

What kinds of treatments are available?
Red Mountain provides IOP, an intensive outpatient program (activities at the center for several hours, 3 times each week), and EOP, an enhanced outpatient program (meeting with a counselor 4 hours a week). The decision to seek treatment for an adolescent is difficult, so we encourage parents to use the no-cost evaluation to ask questions and to talk with their family doctor when making decisions about substance abuse treatment. Other emotional problems can co-exist with substance abuse problems and need assessment and treatment.

How do I decide whether IOP or EOP treatment is indicated for my child?
By the time your child’s evaluation is completed and we review results with you it is likely we will all agree on the level of care needed. There are times when their progress shows that there is a need to change to a more intensive treatment or they are doing so well, treatment frequency can be reduced.

What treatment approaches does Red Mountain use regarding chemical dependency?
Red Mountain uses individual, family, and group therapy, mutual-help groups, relapse prevention, and a continuing recovery process.

What if your evaluation shows that my child has other psychological problems in addition to the substance abuse problem? If so, will these be addressed in the treatment process?
Yes. If more extensive psychological help is needed, the treatment team will recommend referral sources.

How will our family be involved in our child's substance abuse treatment -- including the decision for discharge and aftercare?
Parents will be fully involved in the intake and admissions process, during treatment, and in discharge planning.

How will my child keep up in school while in treatment?
Red Mountain monitors academic progress for teens having a difficult time keeping up in school. Students can become active learners again who see success for themselves at school.