How Long Will My Adolescent Need Mental Health Care at a Residential Treatment Program?
When I first learned that my son needed residential treatment, my first question was “What?” I had never heard of residential treatment. Then my next question was “how long?” I figured it would be an in and out process, kind of like going to the hospital. Through my experience I understand this is not a quick process. Most parents think their teen may have an epiphany and be home in a few months.
Every case is different, what I have seen and heard the average stay is at least 1 year. After the first year some adolescents may return home, others may go to a step down facility, the there are those that turn 18 and are discharged. Whichever decision is right for your family, it is not a quick process and the sooner you come to terms with the time issue the easier and more productive the process will be.
With permission I wanted to share with you a comment I heard from one parent to another about the residential treatment process. The first parent mentioned that they had recently admitted their teen into a residential treatment program, and are hoping “to go through the process quickly”. The reply from another parent with a teen that has been going through a treatment program, I felt was very honest, read on …
Oh my gosh, when reading your comment I thought I was reading my mind from almost two years ago. I so agree with you, let’s get through this process as fast as possible and get on with it. My real goal was for my teen to have an epiphany while at Wilderness so we could have him home in just a few weeks. He did not make lighting speed progress at Wilderness so I finally gave in and thought maybe just a couple of months at a residential treatment program would do it. I have to admit I am a softy and I really fought to the end before I turned by teen over to these programs. I thought I could do it on my own.
Here it is almost two years from hospital to Wilderness and now a residential treatment center and we are currently looking at a step-down close to our house (which I fought as well). If you told me this two years ago, I would have never believed it. I guess what I am saying is, without knowing any of your teens issues, it is unusual for a kid to have that epiphany early and move home. I wish for you and your family that it does not apply to you. On the other hand, I was/am so much like what I hear you say that I just want you to relax and let your teen take the lead, they will let you know when it is time.
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