Help for teens and families
Adolescent Addiction Treatment Program
Evidence-based addiction treatment for teenagers — with the family involved at every step, because recovery at this age is a family project.
About this program
Adolescent addiction treatment
Substance use in adolescence strains the whole family, eroding communication and trust. Treatment reinforces the positive influences in a teen’s life — family, friends, school — while teens and family members work together on communication, problem-solving, and managing anger.
For an adolescent to recover, the family needs to understand addiction, recognize how much their support matters, and adapt their own behavior — and family members need support of their own along the way. That is why family involvement is built into the program rather than appended to it.
The adolescent program runs at The Academy at Ambrosia in Port St. Lucie, where treatment begins with a thorough assessment — trauma history, past therapy, cultural background, peer influences, medical and family history, and academics — so the plan fits the actual teenager.
Why teens turn to drugs and alcohol
The National Institute on Drug Abuse identifies several common reasons teenagers experiment with substances:
Social acceptance
When friends are using, teens may feel compelled to join rather than risk rejection from their peers.
Exploration
Adolescents are natural risk-takers, and trying drugs or alcohol can start as experimentation.
Performance
Under academic and athletic pressure, some teens turn to stimulants and other substances believing they will provide an edge.
Escape
The temporary euphoria of drugs appeals to teens struggling with depression or anxiety as a short-term escape from how they feel.
What teens commonly use
Teen substance use most often starts in high school and continues into young adulthood. The most commonly misused substances — and some behaviors that can become just as consuming — include:
- Alcohol — about 30% of teens report drinking before age 15, and binge drinking is a particular danger
- Marijuana, the most commonly used illicit drug among teens
- Prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Adderall, and Xanax
- Vaping and e-cigarettes — used by roughly 20% of high school students, with nicotine harming still-developing brains
- Compulsive gaming and social media use that crowds out sleep, school, and daily life
Signs a teen may need help
Mood swings are part of adolescence; a pattern that disrupts daily life is something more. Warning signs of substance use or a mental health concern include:
- Finding drugs or alcohol in the house, or unaccounted-for medications
- Abrupt changes in behavior at home or school, or a drop in grades
- New friends who are involved in substance use
- Social isolation and withdrawal from family
- Disturbed sleep — too little or far too much
- Rapid changes in weight or declining health
- Persistent sadness, irritability, or hopelessness
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior
How treatment works at The Academy
Residential treatment
A structured live-in setting with continuous supervision and support, typically around 28 days, for teens who need more than outpatient care can offer.
Outpatient treatment
Weekly individual and group therapy while living at home — a fit for teens committed to change who have a supportive network around them.
- Addiction counseling and CBT
Therapists help teens recognize the thoughts and triggers behind their substance use and build self-regulation and coping skills in their place.
- Family therapy
Sessions with the people closest to the teen, working on communication, cohesion, and the household dynamics that shape a young person’s recovery.
Ready to talk with admissions?
Admissions is available 24/7 to answer questions about mental health and substance use treatment options.