Everyday I read many blogs and websites about teens, teen issues, parenting teens and what not about life with a teen. Many of them are very good and most are basically marketing to promote services or products. I like the real life articles, that assist me in understanding how to deal with my emotions and also my teens. Lately this website has been popping up in my RSS feeds and emails Drug Rehab Treatment. I haven’t dissected the site, but they appear to help families find the right treatment centers which is a good thing. What I really liked about the site is once again the “real life” stories about real life people. This is especially good for families that may be confused and looking for help in dealing with a struggling teen.
Barbara Walters and Daughter Jackie - Photo ABC News
Addiction and troubled teens does not only plague poor or abused families. One thing that drives me crazy is when people talk about good parenting and bad parenting, as if those of us with family members in treatment are bad parents. There may be some truth to that but basically there are many great families that have teens in treatment, I have personally met them. Everyone knows of Barbara Walters, rich, famous, well spoken, well read a family that has everything. This is a link to her story, to prove my point
Barbara Walters Discusses Her Daughter’s Teen Drug Abuse and Residential Treatment.
If your family is struggling with a troubled teen you owe it to yourself and your teen to get help, it doesn’t always mean residential treatment. I have seen (and somewhat experienced) where families can be torn apart due to these times of struggle. I am far from done with a struggling teen but it is amazing the bonds and transformations that many families will go through during the recovery process and amazingly how strong a relationship they have in the future.
I always tell my kids, when they want to be with their friends or choose friends over family. “No matter what, your family will always be with you, in one form or another.” I will always be a part of my teens life, as you have read with my posts about a Runaway Teen.
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Debbie: I sat in your shoes 5 years ago with my son and completely understand how you feel. What to do and how much will it cost??? Big questions with not many answers. We ended up sending our son to a wilderness program because we didn’t know what else to do. The end result was it cost a bloody fortune and years later my son still suffers from post traumatic truma because it was to much for a child his age (13) to handle. I have learned so much over the years and would make a different choice if I had it to do over. That is why I have created http://www.Save-My-Child.com. It is a way to share many of the options available to parents and information on how to help get them paid for. My son has been in several other programs with most of them not costing my husband and myself any money. I share all I know because I have been there, done that and I know how difficult it can be. I also am a big supporter of Al-Anon and hope you look into that. Good Luck, keep us posted.
Ok Thanks, I will look into those! And I will keep you posted!
Hi Debbie- I am not sure where you live. In California we have the IEP process, which can take forever, along with AB3632. If that is not an option then community mental health department. I understand how helpless you must feel. Regarding counseling, look into Ala Non that community can be a great support for you and help you navigate this troublesome path. Good luck and keep us posted.
I am in the same boat as Michael and Roxanna. I just looked into a boarding school nearby for my soon-to-be 17-year-old daughter. Almost $50,000 for ONE YEAR. Where can parents who have a small income go for help for their teen? It’s ridiculous. How can you get your teen help when you cannot afford it? I’m so frustrated, stressed and just completely lost. I have no idea what to do or where to go. Counseling? Been there, done that. *sigh*
I also have a son who is now 18 yrs. old but has been involved in drug use since the age of 13. We struggled for many years not knowing what to do for him. I have taken my over 5 yrs of knowledge and put it into a website to help other parents get help for their children. Many of the services we received for our son were at no cost to us. My website also adresses children who have disabilities such as ADD or ADHD and how to get services for them. I also give resources so that parents know where to received support for themselves as this is a very difficult thing to go thru without the support of other parents who have “been there”. Please check it out.
Michael:
I am in the same position with a 17 year old teen. I desperately need help if someone can help, please email me.
Roxanna
I have an out of control 15 year old whom I cannot seam to get thru to to help her, I am looking for an affordable summer “camp” or some other kind of treatment for her. I am a disabled vet of the navy and do not have the means to send her to one of these outragiously expensive camps. Please help me find help for her before she does more harm to herself, her family and her so called friends.