Willingness to Change in Teen Rehab Center
Teen treatment outcome does not depend on motivation to enter teen rehab.
By: Mika Roux, MFTi, Lead Therapist, Newport Academy
At the point of entry into teen drug rehab, our teen clients’ lives have become unmanageable and their behaviors are producing results that are harming themselves and others. On rare occasions, teens have showed up at Newport Academy after they realized they have a problem, asked for help, and found our program online. More often, our teens have been brought here by their parents, not believing that they have a problem. Is their success in the recovery process determined by their admittance or denial of having a problem? Some may argue that if one is not ready to change, they absolutely will not! Well, I have seen differently.
It has been stated that “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.” While I can’t impose willingness and a desire for change upon anyone, it continues to amaze me how powerful the offering of unconditional support can be, regardless of where one is on their journey.
A recent resident I worked with was brought to Newport Academy by her mother, due to her violent behavior, recent arrest, and persistent Crystal Meth use. She did not believe she had a problem and only agreed to remain in the teen drug rehab as a means to escape jail. She admitted her resistance to sobriety- at least to complete sobriety-however contemplated giving up the Meth. She maintained the belief that certain substances would always be a part of her life. She revealed a pain that was threatening to rear its head should she abandon all drugs. I told her while it was my sincere desire at some point she would decide that drugs have no place in her life and that her life purpose was too great to be wasted in a stupor, I cared most about supporting her in her healing journey. I offered my support, regardless of her decision to abandon drugs.
Through consistent support from all of the staff at Newport Academy, her AA sponsor, her family, and NA meetings, she has decided to continue on the path of sobriety. She willingly chose to enroll in another program that would offer a sober network and milieu and is taking it one day at a time.
I would not say that upon entry into the program she was ready for a change, but a change has taken place indeed. If an individual desires a different way of living, even on a small scale, miracles can happen. They open the door to a world within themselves that they never knew existed. And they just might find they like what they see on the other side.
To read more about Mika Roux, MFTi, click here
To read more about teen drug rehab, click here
Tags: Teen Drug Rehab, Teen Rehab
Change is not easy but need to be earned. Changes can give a new beginning in every teens life to make things better and more longer. Let us not push troubled teens for a change. Gradually supply them for what they need.
A great information regarding changes for teens.
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Good share, great article, very usefull for us¡thanks.