Kokua Recovery

Even if we channel our inner teenager, it can still be difficult to relate to our own teenage child. What was in-style then probably isn’t in-style now. The things you were faced with as a teen could be completely different than what your child is faced with.

Sometimes teens will engage in drug experimentation. There are many ways parents address this type of finding. They can become infuriated, aggressive, and over-reactive, which turns their child away from them and creates more problems. Or they can wait until they are calm to confront their child, listen to understand rather than accuse, and get them the help and guidance they need. Please don’t be parent number one.

If you were never exposed to or interested in drugs as a teen doesn’t mean that your child will have the same experiences. There is always a motivation for the action. You should educate yourself on what may be lying at the root of the issue. Understanding is the first step to helping your child.

Causes of Drug Experimentation

Here are seven reasons why teens experiment with drugs:

Boredom

Simple boredom is a common reason teens resort to drugs because they have no deeper interests. Make sure your teen is engaged in plenty of activities or at-home responsibilities so they don’t have time to ponder the idea of substance use.

A Bonding Experience

Teens often experiment with drugs as a way to make friends or gain social acceptance. This isn’t the same as direct peer pressure; it stems from the desire to bond and make friends. Encourage your children to join clubs and sports. This encourages healthy friend making.

Depression

Some teens turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of escapism. When we are sad or depressed we see these substances as a way to forget and feel happier. It’s our attempt to self-medicate. You may see a sullen attitude as “just being a teenager,” but there may be a deeper depression within.

Curiosity

Curiosity is a natural part of life and teenagers are not immune to the urge. As teenagers, we have the delusion that we are invincible. Even if we know that drugs are bad, we don’t believe that anything bad can actually happen to us. This can also make the idea more attractive. Educate your child about the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.

Weight Loss

Female teenagers often turn to harder drugs—such as cocaine—for a quick way to lose weight. During high school especially, young girls become more body-conscious and may become desperate to slim down to gain confidence and feel accepted.

Stress

During high school, many teenagers are overly stressed with a packed schedule of advanced classes and extracurricular activities. A lack of coping skills can lead us to seek out an artificial method of coping with stress. We then turn to drugs such as marijuana in order to relax.

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure- when teenagers begin to think “everyone else is doing it,” so we should too. At a party, after prom, with friends or significant others—these are all common situations in which we feel like we need to join in to fit in.

Kokua Recovery can help

Kokua Recovery is substance abuse and addiction treatment center for young people ages 13-17. The program focuses on creating a positive change in the lives of students. Various types of therapy and activities are taught and used to replace the needs of addiction. Students leave Kokua Recovery feeling empowered and in control of their lives and how to live healthily. We can help your family today!

Article Source: https://www.kokuarecovery.com/blog/the-why-behind-the-high-teen-drug-experimentation/

Additional Source:

• Marijuana Addiction Treatment
• Teen Rehab
• Adolescent Drug Treatment Centers

Kokua Recovery is a teen residential treatment program for boy and girls between the ages of 13-17. Our program has gender-specific treatment in two separate locations in Colorado. At Kokua, we aim to heal the trauma that underlies addiction. We also focus on holistic mental health wellness, in our comfortable home-like setting.

Longer Length of Stay for Stronger Success

Our philosophy focuses on the science of recovery so that we can have the highest success in treating teens for substance abuse. Research has shown that in 30-90 day recovery programs nearly two-thirds of clients fall back into old patterns and behaviours. However, if the length of stay is 6 months or greater, coupled with supportive aftercare, the outcomes are improved substantially.

Finding Meaningful Replacement Behaviors and Connection

At Kokua Recovery, we use outdoor recreation activities and adventure therapy to help teens replace addictive behaviours with healthy interests and connection. This facilitates developing lifelong hobbies, physical outlets, and the ability to connect to others. It helps our teens live healthier, happier lives. The end goal is to create healing that equips teens for lasting recovery.

Meaningful Service for Internal Development

We are called Kokua meaning “extending loving help to others” and we embody the value of service.  Research has shown that individuals are three times more likely to remain sober after treatment when they are involved in meaningful service. We provide amazing opportunities for our clients, including trips to orphanages in Guatemala. In this role as caretakers of younger children in an orphanage, among other service opportunities, clients become more aware of their self-focused thoughts and efforts and are able to direct them toward others and find gratitude and purpose in their sobriety.

Family Support for Lasting Change

Family involvement is essential in the treatment of teens. We have dedicated family therapists that have weekly family contact, monthly educational material for parents, and onsite parent workshops to help support and positively change the entire family system.