The first step to rehab is admitting you have a problem. For many young adults, this can be the hardest step of all. It’s hard to admit that they’ve made mistakes, and that there are things in their lives that need help fixing. However, once they get past this initial fear, it becomes easier to find the right kind of treatment center and begin on the journey towards recovery.
This post will give you an overview of what rehab is like for young adults so you know what to expect when looking into your options.
What Is Rehab Like for Young Adults?
Young adults seeking help for substance abuse need a different type of rehab than what is typically offered to adults. For many, the first time they experience addiction and its effects on their life is in adolescence or early adulthood. Young people must have access to programs with age-specific treatment curriculums designed specifically for them by experts who understand their unique needs.
The most common age for drug use initiation is 16, with marijuana being the most commonly used substance among adolescents and young adults.
- Alcohol is also a significant contributor to addiction in this age group, as well as cocaine and prescription opiates like Oxycontin or Vicodin.
- It’s estimated that by 23 years old, close to 50% of young people have used a drug.
You might be wondering how to help someone that doesn’t want to go to rehab or what to do with a young adult who keeps relapsing. The fact is, the specific needs of this age group are in stark contrast with those who come into treatment at the later stages of their addiction and life cycle. Young people typically feel less guilt, shame, or remorse for their behaviors and don’t see drug use as an immoral offense that warrants abstinence from substances completely.
For them, rehab is different. The facilities themselves need to be more flexible to ensure a successful rehabilitation process. For instance, electronic media, such as computers and music players, should not be excluded from the program or treatment environment because these are often what young people turn to when they are struggling during rehab sessions.
Why Young Adults Need Rehab
The challenges of addiction are different for young adults. Young people have many things they need to juggle in their lives, and addiction can become one of those distractions that take up a lot of their time and energy. At the same time, many college-age youths don’t fully understand how alcohol or other substances can affect them, as they may never have been exposed to them before.
Young adults need rehab for several reasons:
- Young adults are often dealing with these challenges alone, without the support of their families. This can lead to feelings of shame and isolation.
- Alcohol or drugs may be a coping mechanism for stress from schoolwork, peer pressure, sexual abuse, or other trauma – it’s important that this is treated as an addiction, so they don’t turn to alcohol or drugs in the future.
- Many young adults don’t know what to expect during their recovery and often feel like they won’t be able to maintain a life outside of addiction, which can lead them back into relapse.
Understanding when a young adult needs rehab and what to expect can help them get the support they need. This is a great time for young adults to make their own decisions about what treatment will work best for them and make commitments to recovery that they adhere to when it’s hard to do so.
How To Find the Best Rehab for Young Adults
Finding the best rehab for young adults is a big task. It’s not just about finding the nearest or cheapest rehab. It’s also important to find one that will be best for your loved one who needs help with addiction and mental illness. The first step in looking for a rehab facility is to learn what can be done to deal with drug abuse and addiction as well as get educated about the different types of rehab available.
To learn more about addiction and drug abuse, visit these websites:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse website
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) website
These sites provide valuable information about addiction and drug abuse, the different types of rehab available, and a list of treatment programs where you can find one to suit your needs. They also have some helpful information for parents who want to help their addicted children.
The Importance of Family Involvement in Recovery
Family involvement is an important part of recovery for young adults. Parents are a model for how to live life when they’re recovering, and the stability that parents provide can be essential in helping their children find sobriety. Without the support of family and friends, recovering from addiction can be a difficult journey.
Young adults dealing with addiction are more likely to have a family history of addiction and mental illness, making support from parents all that much more important. To ensure that their children don’t become addicted, parents need to be supportive and open. Parents should also know how to identify signs of addiction as early as possible.
Where To Start With Addiction Recovery and Therapy
When it comes to addiction recovery and therapy in young adults, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The treatment and therapy process is different for each person. It requires personalized care to overcome the challenges and obstacles of relapsing into substance abuse. Every person has their own struggles in overcoming addiction, so find a program or facility that best suits their needs.
To get started, follow these steps:
- Find a professional who specializes in addiction recovery. They’ll first need information about the individual’s age, background, and substance abuse history. It will be important for them to know how serious the problem has become, what substances are being abused, and over what period of time it has been happening before they can recommend treatment options. If there are any co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, it’s essential to disclose this information as well.
- Next, they’ll need more information on the individual’s goals for recovery and how long they can commit to treatment. This will help them find a program that suits their needs: outpatient (less intensive), inpatient (more intensive), or residential (long-term).
- After that, the professional will typically recommend a few different programs and tailor treatment based on the individual’s needs. This is called an “individualized care plan.” It means they’ll get into treatment right away that is most likely to work for them.
- The next step in the recovery process is discharge planning. This is when they’ll need to discuss what will happen after treatment, so that it’s not a surprise for the young adult.
What Happens After Treatment Ends?
After undergoing addiction treatment, young adults may face challenges with post-treatment recovery. The treatment process is not a simple task, and it can often lead to more problems for the individual after they have already been struggling through so much in their lives. To avoid a relapse, it’s important to ensure that they’re working on their mental health and incorporating healthy habits into their daily lives. That will be key to ensuring a successful recovery.
In conclusion, addiction treatment can lead to post-treatment challenges, but if the young adult is equipped with a solid support system and healthy habits, they will be more likely to live an addiction-free life.
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