If your teen is struggling with addiction, a residential treatment program can set them on the path to recovery. As parents, we want to support and protect our children through any problem. However, professional help like our adolescent treatment program at Fort Behavioral Health might be what your child needs most. The consequences of addiction are serious, especially for adolescents. These can range from damage to relationships or mental health problems to physical harm and the potential to overdose. Teens are especially vulnerable to lasting harm from addiction. A residential program provides both group and individual therapy, helps prevent relapse, and can also help your teen recover in both body and mind.

The Benefits of an Adolescent Treatment Program

So why should you choose a residential treatment program for your teen? Teens who struggle with substance abuse might face challenges with their mental health as well. Also, because their logical reasoning centers don’t fully develop until their mid-20s, adolescents face unique difficulties in overcoming addiction. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse says children and adolescents are more likely than adults to become addicted after exposure to drugs. Addiction changes brain chemistry, and those changes make it hard to recover from addiction without relapsing. Therefore, a program that provides both mental health care alongside addiction treatment programs can help your teen find meaningful recovery.

Our first goal here at the Evergreen Path at Fort Behavioral Health is to create a long-lasting, sustainable recovery. Evergreen Path is a trauma-informed program that addresses young men and women’s mental health and substance use disorder needs. Using attachment-based and trauma-informed treatment modalities and environments to provide a holistic approach to healing and recovery. The purpose is to put a pause on life so that we can dig deep into what the underlying needs are behind the addiction, behaviors, and other symptoms. 30 days is not enough time to undo everything, but it gives a chance to build a foundation for adolescents to be successful in their homes and communities.

To achieve this, teens participate in weekly individualized therapy, weekly family therapy, daily therapy groups, daily recreational therapy, and more. Therapy groups are designed to address both the emotional and cognitive behaviors surrounding substance use and mental health disorders. Utilizing both DBT and CBT approaches, each group addresses a specific theme. Adolescents in these programs get to participate in special topic groups that are designed around active engagement activities and unique challenges that adolescents face. Each week, we explore the themes in a new way and build on skills as each individual grows and as they advance in the program in the following areas:

  • Relationships

  • Emotion regulation

  • Coping skills

  • Building solid recovery support systems

Our Adolescent Treatment Program

Our adolescent program is different from our adult recovery program — we know that the treatment needs of adolescents are unique. Read on to find out what happens here.

Our clinical team to provides personalized care tailored to your teen’s specific needs. The program is 45-60 days long, and we can also provide referrals for continuing care. While here, clients will engage in treatment from all areas of life, including recreational activities and music and art-based groups. This helps your teen recover physically and emotionally, as exercise can boost endorphins while easing stress.

Our Groups

Therapy groups are designed to address both the emotional and cognitive behaviors surrounding substance use and mental health disorders teens face. Utilizing both DBT and CBT approaches, each group addresses a specific theme. Adolescents get to participate in special topic groups that are designed around active engagement activities and unique challenges that adolescents face. Each week we explore the themes in a new way and build on skills as each individual grows and as they advance in the program.

All groups are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and led by a licensed therapist. These groups include:

Family Groups

Clients and their families will grow together while learning healthy boundaries, including a session for families without their teens to learn more about how to support their children.

Daily Goals Group

This group includes breathing exercises, guided imagery, and reading of thoughtful passages to start the day, along with learning to hear and meet the needs of peers.

Mental Health Therapy Group

Clients work in a group setting to increase tolerance to and expression of various emotional states.

Individual Work Time

This program gives time for assignments and treatment plan goal completion.

Evening Mindfulness Group

This group includes a daily wrap-up followed by intentional meditation through breathing exercises, guided imagery, or silent meditation.

Relapse Prevention Group

During these group sessions, clients learn to identify triggers and situations conducive to relapse and identify alternate plans for unsafe situations to protect recovery and remain sober.

Community Activity Time

These activities include Game Night, Movie Night, park trip, bowling, team building, expressive therapy, art therapy, and others.

Community Group

This is a weekly meeting as a community of clients to assign chores, discuss important issues, and other group dynamics.

Process Group

This is a time to verbalize and hear from others how they are coping and what issues may be arising.

Substance Abuse Therapy Group

This group incorporates the 12-steps as well as other evidence-based curriculums surrounding teens and substance use.

Education

Clients who are currently enrolled in school at the time of their admission will be allowed to continue their studies during their treatment stay.

Find Yourself at Fort Behavioral Health

To learn more about our adolescent treatment program, view detailed information, or download our schedule, contact Fort Behavioral Health online or call us at 855.965.4280. Recovery is possible, so help your teen break the cycle of addiction today.