Ultimately, if your adult child does need drug rehab to recover from substance abuse, there are many options available to them. Also, there are several things you could be doing as well. In the end, the main goal is for the entire family to begin living in the solution.

If you are suspicious that your child needs to be admitted to a local drug rehab, here are some very important things that you must know.

Drug Abuse Among College Students

Unfortunately, drug and alcohol abuse is a very common issue among college students. Whether it be due to peer pressure or being away from home, most young adults will be offered and will try drugs at some point during their college experience.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, substance use and abuse is still a major concern among college students.

• Marijuana use is the at the highest level for this age group since the 1980s
  • According to a survey they conducted, 2.8% of college students reported using marijuana, whereas in 2016, that number rose to 4.9%.
• Alcohol abuse appears to be higher in college students compared to non-college students.
  • 32.4% of college students reported binge drinking, compared to 28.7% of non-college students.
  • 40.8% of college students report intoxication within the past month, compared to 30.4% of non-college students.
• Amphetamine misuse is higher among college students.
  • In 2016, 2.4% of college students used Ritalin in the past year, whereas 1.6% of non-college students report using this medication.
  • Also for this same time period, 9.9% of students used Adderall, compared to 6.2% of non-college students.

Recognizing Drug And Alcohol Abuse In Your Home

Knowing how to and being able to recognize if your child is abusing drugs and/or alcohol is crucial in helping them. It is important that you educate yourself on the various substances available today and what the physical symptoms of those drugs include. While many drugs have their own set of physical symptoms to be aware of, there are many red flags that are universal for all drugs and alcohol.

If your child begins exhibiting any of these behaviors, there may be cause for concern.

• Their grades and school performance begin to suffer.
• Sudden financial issues.
• They become withdrawn from family and friends.
• Sudden weight loss
• Sleeping patterns change
  • If they are sleeping less frequently, this could be a sign of stimulant use
  • If they appear tired more frequently or begin falling asleep at inappropriate times, this may be a sign of opioid use.
• They suddenly have a new circle of friends
• Mood swings
• Become more secretive or manipulative
• Missing money

Again, these warning signs are generalized for all substance use and abuse. There are various physical symptoms to be aware of for individualized drugs, such as opioids, marijuana, and stimulants. If you become suspicious of drug abuse, it is imperative that you begin to educate yourself on warning signs, as to better be able to help your child.

Knowing When It Is Time For Drug Rehab

If you know for certain that your child is struggling with drug and/or alcohol abuse, it can still be difficult to know when to step in. Many questions will arise during this time. Does my child need drug rehab? What are the best centers available to help him/her? How do I get them to agree to go? Is any of this really even necessary, or is it just a phase?

These are all legitimate questions that parents ask themselves every day. The first thing you want to do is consult with an addiction treatment specialist. This may be a therapist, addictions counselor, or interventionist. They could discuss your individual case and give you suggestions on the best way to proceed.

Since each person and case is different from the next, what is to follow will be different for everyone. Your child may be in complete denial about their substance abuse, so staging an intervention may be the best route to take. Or, they could be fully aware and willing to get help, so searching out the appropriate drug rehab may be where you want to begin. Speaking with a professional could help you sort out where you are in the process.

The Various Types Of Drug Rehab

There are numerous types of drug rehabs and programs available to you and your family. Deciding which is the best for your child can seem like an impossible task. Let’s take a look at the various levels of care of drug rehab.

• Outpatient Drug Rehab: In this level of care, the patient will partake in drug and alcohol counseling numerous times a week. After undergoing an assessment, the clinical team will determine what is appropriate. Some patients will be required to attend sessions 4-5 times a week to start, whereas others may only be required to attend 2-3 times a week. While this level of care is beneficial for many, it may not be the best starting point for some. Since it is outpatient therapy, patients are able to still interact with the outside world and could be vulnerable to relapse in the beginning stages of recovery. Oftentimes, this form of treatment is most beneficial after completing a stay at a residential drug rehab.

• Residential/Inpatient Drug Rehab: At this level of care, patients will reside at the facility for an allotted amount of time, typically 28-35 days. During this time, the patient will undergo a detoxification process (if necessary), where they will be supervised by a team of medical professionals. Once they have been successfully detoxed, they will begin participating in drug and alcohol therapy and clinical groups. The benefit to this level of care is that the individual has limited contact with the outside world, so they are better able to focus on themselves and their well-being. Before leaving an inpatient facility, the patient will be given an aftercare plan to follow when they return home.

• Extended Care: Extended care is a broad term for the numerous forms of longer-term treatment. While some patients benefit from the average 28-day stay at an inpatient drug rehab, others may require additional help. Again, as each case is unique, this will vary from one person to the next. Some forms of extended care include:
  • Halfway House: This can range from 90 days to 6 months, where the individual will reside at the home and undergo counseling. Staff is present 24 hours a day to supervise patients and act as a support system in early recovery. Patients are taught additional life skills, such as seeking employment, budgeting money, parenting classes (if appropriate), cooking, etc.
  • Long-term treatment: Long-term care is more restrictive compared to a halfway house. Rather than residing at a home, having the ability to seek employment, and participating in community activities, the patient will be restricted to the facility for an allotted amount of time. This could range from 30 days to upwards of 12 months. During this time, the individual will participate in further addictions counseling and therapy, along with other forms of therapy if necessary. This could include family therapy, trauma therapy, grief counseling, etc.
  • Sober Living: Sober living is another option many patients choose at some point during their recovery process. For many, it is after they have completed additional extended care, such as a halfway house, and for others, it is immediately after residential drug rehab. Sober living is a less restrictive environment, where patients are able to gain employment, participate in local 12-step fellowships, and enjoy hobbies and activities outside of the home. This form of care is most beneficial when coupled with therapy, such as outpatient counseling.

Each level of care and drug rehab facility will differ in its operations and regulations, so it is best to do your research before selecting one. What may be suitable for one individual, may not be beneficial for someone else. This is why consulting with a professional is so very important.

In the end, it is important to remember that if your college-age child does need drug rehab, there are plenty of resources available. You are not alone in this process. Many have come before you, and have been successful. Please do not give up hope, because recovery is possible!

Contact Clearbrook For Drug Rehab Today

If you or someone you know and love is currently struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, please seek help today.

Clearbrook Treatment Centers has been providing effective and quality treatment for 45 years. By recognizing addiction as a disease, we are able to offer our patients a quality of care that treats the whole person, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

If you are ready to change your life, please contact our Admissions Specialists today, and see what our program has to offer.

ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT STRUGGLING WITH DRUGS OR ALCOHOL?

CALL CLEARBROOK TREATMENT CENTERS NOW AT 1-800-582-6241