The Best Teen Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Valdosta, GA

Understanding Treatment for Teen Substance Abuse

When substance abuse takes hold of a teen’s life, all other once important aspects of his or her world can fall to the wayside. As one becomes more entrenched in his or her addiction, regardless of the substance of choice, physical, mental, and emotional health will become compromised, and one’s ability to forge and maintain healthy relationships will be thwarted. Whether it is a dependence on drugs, alcohol, or both, teenage substance abuse will rob a young person of his or her potential to function, learn, and grow into adulthood with a strong body and clear mind.

During the teen years, the mind is still developing, and introducing harmful substances during this critical stage can do much harm. Fortunately, there are quality treatment centers that offer teen-specific programming that can stop the cycle of substance abuse. These programs are designed with young peoples’ specific needs in mind, and are able to assist teens in overcoming substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions so that they can reclaim their lives, and look to a future that is full of hope. As one of the best treatment centers in Valdosta for teen drug & alcohol abuse, we strive to help teens do exactly that.

Helping a Loved One or Family Member Get Treatment

When watching a teen you care about fall victim to substance abuse, you likely wish to do all you can to help him or her reverse the cycle of addiction.  Yet, without prior experience with chemical dependency and the recovery community, it can be difficult to know where to start. As you ready yourself to help an important teen in your life access treatment, consider the following:

• Delve into some research about substance abuse, and focus your efforts toward gaining a better understanding of the way addiction impacts teens, as well as the consequences a young person struggling with chemical dependence may face.
• Look for treatment centers in your area, and locate some options which provide programming that is teen-specific.
• Contact a treatment center to schedule an assessment with a mental health professional to get the admissions process started for your teen, and to ask any questions you may have about programming.
• Prepare to be met with some initial resistance, but remind your teen that you care about his or her wellbeing, and you will be there for support throughout his or her recovery journey.
• Be mindful of your own wellness at this important time. It can be a draining experience to help a loved one who is in the throes of addiction, so be sure to take time for yourself to engage in activities that rejuvenate you. In doing so, you will have more energy to focus on helping your teen.

Why Consider Treatment at Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital

Substance abuse negatively impacts individuals of all ages, but teens who abuse drugs and alcohol are at an increased risk for long-term impairments in cognitive functioning. While teens are physically growing into their adult bodies, their brains are also still developing, and will continue to do so well into their early twenties. In fact, the prefrontal cortex, the part of the mind responsible for controlling rational thinking, is not typically fully formed until an average age of 25. Given the fact that the brain does not mature until the mid-twenties, teens who continue to abuse drugs and alcohol during this critical developmental stage can suffer stunted or impaired cognition even after they cease their substance abuse. Therefore, it is critical that young people engage with a quality treatment center to interrupt the cycle of addictive behavior, and prevent further damage to their wellbeing.

Types of Treatment Offered at Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital

Licensed to operate 113 beds, Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital offers substance abuse treatment for teens as well as any co-occurring . Situated in Valdosta, Georgia, this world class hospital is where individuals, young and old, can access the resources and support they need to heal from mental health concerns and substance abuse issues.

Included in our broad range of services is a high quality adolescent inpatient program that offers treatment for mental disorders and substance use problems for teens between the ages of 12 and 17. Within this invaluable program, young people work with an incredible staff of professionals who are highly trained and compassionate when working with young people who are battling such issues. This program also only uses time-tested treatment protocols so that each parent or guardian who entrusts his or her child’s care to us can rest assured that he or she will be receiving excellent treatment.

After a youth’s needs are assessed during the streamlined admissions process, a personalized treatment plan is created that will outline the interventions and methods of care needed to treat the concerns that are plaguing the young person most. This high level of customization ensures that any and all treatment goals established will not only be reached, but exceeded while a teen is at Greenleaf. Among the types of interventions offered, the following are those that can be included in a teen’s plan of care:

Detoxification services: Because some substances of abuse must be cleared from an individual’s body before engaging in therapeutic treatment, Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital offers detoxification services, or detox. Young people who come to us dependent on drugs or alcohol may be recommended for detox services so that they can engage in our other programming options with clearer mindsets and healthier bodies.    

Medication management services: Adolescents who begin treatment at our teen rehab center in order to overcome addiction will be assessed to determine if there is a need for medication in order to treat the symptoms of an existing mental health concern. When indicated, the youth will then meet with our staff psychiatrist to decide the type of medication that is needed, and then our mental health team will monitor the effectiveness of any medication given for the duration of the young person’s care.

Group therapy: At our treatment center, we firmly believe that the teens we care for can benefit greatly from being able to offer and receive support from one another. Group therapy sessions, which are offered multiple times per day, are the forums for this type of interaction, allowing teens to heal and recover from addiction alongside others who may also be struggling with similar concerns. Among the topics covered during these sessions, the following are those that teens can discuss with other youth under the supervision of our staff:

• Stress management
• Life skills
• Effectively expressing emotions
• Communication skills
• Anger management
• Addictive behaviors and triggers

Experiential therapy: Much can be gained when a person is able to heal in both mind and body while working to overcome an addiction to alcohol and/or other harmful substances. At our rehab center, we offer teens the opportunity to partake in physical fitness activities so that they can reap the benefits of being active while engaging in other forms of therapeutic care. Additionally, we also provide supervised art projects that are designed to help young people tap into their creative side and express themselves via an alternative medium.

Family therapy: So as to help teens and their families heal, we are pleased to include family therapy sessions on an as-needed basis so that the young people we treat and those closest to them can become a united front against addiction. These sessions are led by members of our dedicated staff, and can be a time to process what has been happening within the family unit and grow as a supportive, collective whole that will further empower teens to avoid the use of substances of abuse going forward.

Family education: Understanding what caused one’s child to turn to the use of drugs or alcohol can be difficult for some parents and legal guardians. In addition, it can also be confusing to determine how one can help a youth refrain from the ongoing use of drugs or alcohol even after treatment is sought. For these reasons, Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital provides families with education opportunities during which they can:

• Gain an education on substance abuse, including its impact on behavior, emotions, and brain chemistry
• Become aware of the best means of support that can be used to help with their child’s recovery
• Receive the resources needed to help their teen avoid further substance abuse

Discharge planning: For the duration of a teen’s care at our treatment center, we aim to instill the skills, confidence, and hope needed for remaining substance-free. However, regardless of this mission, we realize that those we care for need to have tangible resources and services available to them after leaving our hospital in order for them to continue their treatment success. Because of this, we begin planning for each young person’s discharge from the moment they are admitted, and we formulate thorough aftercare plans that are designed to help teens continue their healing journeys. Much like our treatment planning process, we consider the needs of each youth and devise a plan of action that will support a substance-free future through recommendations for additional resources and services.

Continuing Care for Teen Substance Abuse

In choosing Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital as the place to help your child break free from a substance abuse problem, you and your teen will become part of our healing community and gain the care, support, and resources needed to help your child become well again. As was previously mentioned, we create detailed discharge plans for those who come to our rehab center for treatment so that they are able to thrive once they return home. Part of these plans can include our own partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP) as the follow-up services that will benefit teens who have completed inpatient programming with us.

If your son, daughter, or other close loved one is in need of superior care to defeat a substance abuse problem, look no further than Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital. Our staff of superior professionals is excited to help your teen realize a better life, and we look forward to helping you access the resources needed to help your family heal.

At Greenleaf, a healthier tomorrow can begin today.