Newport Academy Teen Treatment Blog

Missed School Days Linked to Mental Health Issues in Teens

January 24th, 2012 Posted in Blog, Research | No Comments »

The next time your child tries to convince you that school is unnecessary or that missing a few days here and there won’t hurt anything, consider the findings of a new study: Kids who miss school are more likely to exhibit symptoms of a mental health disorder as teenagers. Additionally, mental health disorders can increase the chances that he or she will develop an issue with drug and alcohol addiction.

The Study

Based on a study out of the University of California, Los Angeles that followed more than 17,000 students of all ages, elementary school kids who had issues with antisocial behavior, depression and other mental health problems missed more school days than did kids who did not exhibit those symptoms. Middle school and high school aged kids who missed a large amount of school were more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder later in life.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction

Teens who struggle with mental health disorders often feel more uncomfortable and unhappy than the average teen. In order to quell the symptoms of their disorder, they are more likely to try to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol rather than identify their issues as a problem that requires medical treatment. Whether or not this tactic is initially effective, it can be the beginning of a lifelong struggle to find the balance and peace they seek.

Addressing Mental Health and Addiction Issues in Teens

Jeffrey Wood is the study’s lead author and an associate professor of educational psychology and psychiatry at UCLA. He said in a news release: “We’ve long known that students who are frequently absent from school are more likely to have symptoms of psychiatric disorders, but less clear is the reason why. These two aspects of youths’ adjustment may at times exacerbate one another, leading over the course of time to more of each.”

So too does the existence of a mental health disorder exacerbate the effects of drug abuse, and drug abuse make worse the symptoms of the disorder. The best way to handle these issues is to address them both simultaneously at a program designed specifically for the treatment of teens. If you would like to learn more about the types of dual diagnosis rehab available to teenagers here at Newport Academy, contact us today. We can help you determine the best course of action to help your child heal from co-occurring disorders.

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3 Risk Factors for Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse

One of the biggest questions that parents of teenagers ask about drugs and alcohol is how they can prevent their teens from developing an addiction in the first place. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are a number of factors that can put a teenager at a higher risk of developing a problem with drugs and alcohol – but there are also correlating protective factors for each of these that parents and others in the teen’s life can implement to protect the child.

Risk Factors for Teen Drug Abuse

There are a number of different factors that can lead a teenager to abuse drugs and alcohol, ultimately developing a lifelong drug dependence. However, what constitutes a risk factor for one child may not endanger another child. Everyone is unique, at different stages of their lives, and their reaction to various issues at a given time based upon other experiences and personality traits will be the ultimate determinant when it comes to the development of drug and alcohol addiction. According to NIH, some risk factors include:

Early aggressive behavior. This risk factor is usually seen in early childhood and is an individual rather than an environmental issue.
Little parental supervision. When parents aren’t around or available to provide children with support during their early years, they often turn to other influences for guidance – those influences aren’t always the most positive.
Peer drug and alcohol abuse. If kids have friends who abuse drugs and alcohol, it is more likely that they will try these substances and use them regularly.
Availability of drugs. If kids and teens are offered drugs or find that they are readily accessible, they are more likely to abuse them.
Low income. Living in poverty or in very low-income circumstances is statistically shown to be a risk factor, but this is usually a factor only when other risk factors are present as well.

Protective Factors

Parents who see one or more risk factors for drug abuse and addiction in the lives of their teen need not panic. For each one, there are protective factors that can be implemented to help teens avoid the pitfalls of drug dependence. For example, early childhood aggression can be addressed by parental and teacher support. Parents can make more of an effort to be active in their children’s lives even if they have to work and make sure that their kids are not left to raise themselves. Knowing the friends your teenager is hanging out with can help ensure that they are choosing positive peers. Helping them to learn how to handle the inevitable peer and environmental pressures as they arise will give them the tools they need to make positive choices on their own.

If your teen is already experimenting with drug and alcohol abuse, you can help them turn it around with early intervention and treatment. Contact us at Newport Academy to learn more about your options in care.

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Helping Your Teen Stay Clean and Sober in 2012

January 18th, 2012 Posted in Teen Drug Use | No Comments »

With a new year comes new hope for the future. For teens recently out of rehab and those who have been in recovery for a while, the new year can mean a chance to rededicate themselves to the principles of sobriety. Here’s how you can help.

For Your Long-Time Recovering Teen

Rehab is often motivating for teens. They come home feeling healthy and positive with a new focus for their lives and often do well in the first couple of weeks after treatment. However, as the days pass and the old stressors begin to take their toll, many teens lose focus on their recovery goals and the urgency with which they originally avoided abusing drugs and alcohol. To get your teen back on track, consider:

Enrolling your teen in an outpatient treatment program to help them renew their understanding of recovery principles
Instituting a regular family night, family dinners or monthly family weekends so you can check in continually with your teen
Touching base with Newport Academy to discuss different therapeutic options and recovery support available to your teen

For Your Newly Recovering Teen

Take advantage of the excitement and new direction that your teen acquired during treatment and make sure that your new year is full of dedicated treatment opportunities. For example, you might expose your teen to:

Family therapy sessions that keep the lines of communication open at home
12-step meetings that are designed specifically for teens
Group therapy sessions for teens that focus on specific aspects and struggles they face in recovery
Personal therapy sessions that allow them to work through some of the obstacles faced each day that may eventually add up to a relapse.

For Your Addicted Teen

If your teenager is abusing drugs and/or alcohol and you have not yet enrolled him or her in treatment, now is the time. Don’t give up another year to fighting with your teen or watching their self-destructive behavior. By speaking up and intervening early, you increase the chance of a successful recovery for your child and increase your family’s opportunities to heal as well. Get started by:

Exploring Newport Academy’s website to learn more about the programs available to your teen
Scheduling a tour at Newport Academy or emailing for more information.
Calling us at the phone number listed above to get your questions answered and discuss the needs of your child

Help your teen move forward in recovery from addiction in 2012. Call now.

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