Category: Recovery

Handling Your Teen’s Eating Disorder and Finding Treatment

Teen eating disorders are simply a manifestation of a much bigger problem and should be handled as soon as they are discovered. While the rise of teen eating disorders can partially be attributed to the media coverage the topic is receiving, a parent should never take it lightly if their child is suffering from one. Whatever reason triggered an eating disorder is exactly that: a trigger. Dealing with the symptom rather than the cause means that the bomb is still ticking and is bound to explode sooner or later.  

Teen eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, and binge eating have been steadily on the rise, especially in women and teenage girls. There are many reasons adolescents suffer from teen eating disorders such as emotional distress, a poor body image, low self-esteem and many other emotional, social, and psychological problems. Unless the issues that lead to the disorders are addressed, the teen will not have recovered fully even on the event that they ditch the eating disorder.

For one to be able to determine that their child is suffering from any of the various teen eating disorders, they must know the various signs of eating disorders. Some of the things that should set off an alarm in relation to teen eating disorders include abrupt change in eating habits, barely eating, lack of energy, rushing to the bathroom immediately after meals, and avoiding social gatherings and places where food will be offered.

If a parent suspects or has ascertained that their child is suffering from any of the teen eating disorders, they should ensure that they communicate with the teen to understand the problem and situation better. However, talking to your teen may not be sufficient, and seeking professional help is advised.

Programs to treat teen eating disorders by treatment and therapy centers such as Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers are designed to help adolescents get over eating disorders.

There are various treatment techniques and methods used in the effective treatment of teen eating disorders. Skilled and experienced therapists, doctors, nutritionists, and other personnel from a treatment center will usually work together to ensure the best results possible in the treatment of teen eating disorders.

Please call one of our specialists at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers or click below for more information on teen eating disorders.

California Programs For Troubled Youth and Struggling Teens

Teens are increasingly becoming addicted to prescription drugs and narcotics, and for many with children between the of ages 13 and 18 there exists a host of problems that can be too much for any parent to handle. However, the rise in teen addiction each year supersedes the necessary aid and programs for troubled youth.  

Few programs exist to treat the adolescent with substance abuse problems. Treating  adolescents with addiction alongside of adult addicts rarely provides the specialized treatment of teen specific issues.  The influence of life long alcoholics and drug abusers rarely provides the peer environment most youths need to identify with.  The sad fact is that there are only a handful of states that have such programs for troubled youth; California is one of them.

Located in Malibu California, Visions Teen is a residential treatment program for teens struggling with the paralyzing grips of addiction and mental illness. At Visions Teen there is a home environment that addresses the needs of both the troubled youth and the family unit.  Visions Teen utilizes informed programming techniques specific to dialectical behavior therapy in an inclusive and rural environment exclusively for teens.

Visions Teen’s programs offer a residential treatment program that lasts from 45 to 90 days. This time gives experienced doctors and clinicians the time needed to fully asses a teen’s stressors, conditions, and behavioral issues that have led them to their self destructive patterns.  Each teen works with their own psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed therapists, and counselor to identify the underlying causes of their addiction and to implement a treatment program that is tailored to their specific case.

At Visions Teen positive peer interaction is exhibited in which teens can both relate and communicate in terms that are comfortable for them alongside others their own age. Identifying with peers that are dealing with like issues and stressors makes for an environment of collective healing that aids in their establishing healthy peer relationships under medical and professional supervision. This beginning of modeling healthy, age-appropriate relationships and behaviors helps them to repeat these positive actions once they return home.

If you are looking to find programs for troubled youth, or if your teenage son or daughter is suffering from addiction or any other kind of crisis, call Visions Teen at 866-889-3665. Our professional and experienced staff is standing by with help that is designed specifically for the at risk youth in your life.

Teenage Drug and Alcohol Substance Abuse Programs

How Does Substance Abuse Begin?

For many teens, using drugs and alcohol began as an escape from daily problems, a way to find acceptance in a group, or simply as a tantalizing forbidden source of entertainment. Regardless of why they began the behavior, teens often allow using drugs and alcohol to become an addiction that threatens to engulf a their life, dreams, and potential.  

What are the Results?

Substance abuse can send teens into a downward spiral that affects every aspect of their lives. The effects can be:

• Physical – Alcohol abuse takes a toll on many of the body’s organs, but especially the liver and the brain. Overtime, liver damage can lead to fatty liver disease, which can be fatal. More acutely, however, both alcohol and drugs damages the brain. This effect is particularly alarming because adolescence is a vital time for brain development.
• Mental/Emotional – Drugs and alcohol, which are commonly used to self-medicate mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, can ironically make them worse. Still worse, some drugs such as hallucinogens, can even precipitate more severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia in individuals who are genetically predisposed to such disorders.
• Social – Substance abuse can cause problems with friends and family when teens need positive support the most.

What Can Be Done to Help?

Fortunately, there is hope. Many treatment options exist for teens who need help recovering from alcohol and drug abuse. Among the treatment options, specialized residential substance abuse programs are the most comprehensive. These programs are designed to surround teens with a supportive, constructive environment to help them work towards recovery. Dedicated professionals such as psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists are on staff to ensure that the teens get the treatment they need. Moreover, teens in the program gain positive social support through participating in the program with other teens with similar issues who are working on learning how to cope with their problems in positive ways.

How Do I Enroll My Teen?

If you think that substance abuse programs would benefit your teen, speak with a representative for Visions Adolescent Treatment Center. The staff at Visions understands that a teen’s substance abuse can affect the entire family, so Visions is committed to providing resources to heal the entire family. Help for your family is just a call away.

Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

Summer is right around the corner and most teens are chomping at the bit to get out of school and run amuck. Teens look to summer as though it is meant to be full of languorous weeks of doing nothing.

Is your teen suddenly refusing to go to summer camp? Try looking at this from your teen’s perspective: Are they simply asking for more freedom and less structure? Now try looking at it from your own: Is there a new social circle involved or is this a legitimate request for trust and independence? Has your teen earned your trust and shown you they are capable of being responsible to this degree?  If it’s the latter, perhaps your teen is ready for an independent summer. This has to be earned, however, and has to come with a built-in infrastructure of firm boundaries and reliable familial support.

For parents, summer may represent stress, fear, and concern. When our kids were younger, it was easier to arrange for full-day summer camps and activities and just send them off. During the teen years, it’s not unusual for teenagers to mightily disagree with attending camp as they individuate and want independence.  The biggest challenge for parents is finding a way to eliminate or lessen boredom because boredom creates a breeding ground for reckless behavior.

It’s not uncommon for teens to be on their own during the summer break, despite the availability of various summer camps. A teen self-monitoring themselves can realistically look like young adolescents with too much time on their hands, wandering around with friends, looking for things to do. This is a perfect recipe for trouble: adolescence, boredom, time, freedom, and few responsibilities.

The following things with help you build a foundation for a good summer:

• Create a schedule. This can help create a sense of productivity and will help alleviate boredom.
• Boundaries: Create and maintain healthy boundaries. If you don’t want your son or daughter to go to a specific place, say so and have a consequence if they break the rule. Boundaries are limitations devised to generate safety and respect.
• Family dinners: Sit down every night, whether it is at home or in a restaurant. Make dinnertime the time when you sit down and reconnect as a family. Turn off media, and technology and spend quality time with each other.
• Encourage your teen to get a job: Jobs teach responsibility and provide structure. Jobs teach one how to show up, stay occupied, and they encourage healthy self-esteem and a sense of independence.
• Encourage your teen to volunteer: There are tons of volunteering activities available. Animal shelters, youth camps, food banks, et cetera. Being of service is empowering and teaches responsibility.
• Encourage your teen to be active: Learning to surf, running, swimming, rock climbing. Summer is the time to get outside and get active. A tired teenager is a good thing!

Staying busy and active means there are less opportunities to get into trouble. Kids who are active and occupied in healthy, productive ways, are less likely to use drugs.  However, if you are concerned that your children are using drugs, you can purchase some home drug tests and have them on hand. Let your child know that you will test them if you suspect unsavory activity. We see a lot of kids in early fall; part of that is due to the fallout from getting high over the summer. Parents need to stay aware and on top of what’s happening in the lives of their teens.

While boredom and idle time is dangerous for adolescents, complacency and unawareness is detrimental for parents.

Southern California Best Reviewed Programs For Troubled Youth

Growing up in today’s society can be a challenge for adolescents, especially with the growing popularity of the Internet and other media outlets, which expose them to many topics they would normally not encounter at such a young age. An early knowledge of drugs, violence, and other realities of life often affects their attitude and their outlook on life. The programs for troubled youth at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers are specifically designed with today’s youth in mind and are aimed at finding the root cause of any issues holding them back from success. Visions offers many programs to treat drug and alcohol addiction, eating and body image disorders, and mental health issues.   

Adolescent Residential Treatment 

Residential treatment is ideal for teens struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and other issues that may be negatively affecting their daily life. During their stay, the roots behind their problems are addressed so that steps can be taken to resolve them. We promote a successful and drug-free future by keeping them engaged in recreational activities, offering professional care, and providing a beautiful and positive environment in which they can grow.

Adolescent Out-Patient Counseling 

Vision’s counseling program is perfect for youth who are adjusting to a new and improved life after completing more intensive treatments. The first stage helps to make improvements in a teen’s daily life both at home and academically. The second stage focuses on the family as a whole to ensure that they are also an important part of the teen’s recovery. Between family sessions, individual sessions, clinical support and drug testing you can be sure that your teen stays on track after finishing residential treatment.

Adolescent Day School

Vision’s Day School is a great choice for teens who are struggling to adapt in a private or public school setting. When a teenager fails to thrive in their learning environment, their chance for success is truly impeded. The program offers one-on-one instruction to ensure that each child understands the curriculum while also receiving the best possible education. By performing random weekly drug testing, and providing individualized counseling, you can be sure that your teen is staying focused and on track.

By enrolling your child in the right programs for troubled youth, their chance of success is greatly increased. Visions understands the many struggles that teenagers face which is why they aim to improve your child’s self esteem by reinforcing the importance of positive lifestyle choices.

Find Well Reviewed Substance Abuse Programs for Teens in California

Residential substance abuse programs for adolescents have an enormous responsibility. Parents entrust the well being of their teens to these programs for several months with the hope that they will recover. The life of a teen is no small matter. For this reason, it is important for parents to choose a program that is trustworthy and has a good reputation. Visions Teen is just that.  

For more than a decade, Visions has been pouring into the lives of troubled teens by providing a nurturing environment designed to facilitate emotional growth and lasting recovery. Since its founding, it has garnered a reputation for having an innovative  program that produces results. Recovery.org, a well-established resource for finding quality substance abuse programs, rates Visions with 4.25 of 5.0 stars.

Visions’ rating on Recovery.org is well deserved. Visions has earned these high ratings and good reviews particularly for its emphasis on family and community involvement in a young person’s recovery process. Its philosophy is that family involvement in the therapeutic process produces the best outcomes. As such, five hours of family-focused therapy are integrated into the program (including multi-family group, individual family sessions, family education, and family passes). The family-centered approach of the program has been particularly effective according to parents.

Over the years, countless parents have expressed their gratitude for Visions.  Parents have lauded Visions with such comments as “Visions changes lives,” “Visions treats both the kids and the parents,” and “I’ll never be able to thank the staff at Visions enough.” See more testimonials here.

Moreover, the lives of the teens themselves speak volumes of the quality of Visions’ programs. Graduates of the program show immense improvement since the day they begin. Following graduation from an active treatment program, a teen is then given the opportunity to be inducted into the Visions Alumni Program.

Many teens happily participate, and some even volunteer at Wednesday Speaking Panels to encourage other teens who are dealing with the same problems they’ve dealt with. This is a testament to the level of personal growth teens experience through the program.

Undoubtedly, the outcomes of Visions’ programs shine in the lives of the parents and teens that they benefit.  If you want your teen to experience recovery like hundreds of other teens that Visions has helped, please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

How Parents Can Find Help For Their Troubled Teenager

Finding help for your troubled teen can be difficult and challenging, especially for parents who don’t know where to look or what to look for. Many communities and private organizations offer programs for troubled youth such as peer support groups, parent support groups, and a wide range of specialized groups that address specific behaviors or issues.  

These can be a good start, but may not be enough on their own. Consider all of your options and collaborate with your child’s pediatrician, school, and counselors to find the right program for your teen.

Outpatient Programs for Troubled Teens

Outpatient programs allow teens to work through issues with the help of one-on-one counseling and therapy sessions, group counseling sessions or through structured support groups.

Outpatient programs are designed to allow teens to continue their daily routines at home and school while receiving treatment and working through issues.

Academic Learning Programs

Public school districts often work with parents to create a 504 Behavior Modification Plan or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students who are struggling and have been identified as needing additional supports. Often times, these individualized plans are not enough and teens continue to struggle in school.

Academic programs for troubled teens, such as Visions’ Day School provide an alternative learning environment for teens who are struggling and unable to remain in mainstream public schools.

Residential Treatment Programs

Residential treatment programs are designed for teens who need more support than what can be offered in outpatient services and day programs. These programs provide a safe and supportive environment for teens with 24-hour crisis management.

These intense programs work with your teen for a period of 30 to 90 days addressing mental health issues and problems with substance abuse. As with outpatient and day programs, treatment is personalized and based on the teen’s unique needs. Teens leaving a residential program often continue on with an outpatient program for long-term support.

With so many different programs for troubled youth, it can be a challenge finding the right one. As you’re exploring all of your options, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

What are Synthetic Drugs and are They Safe?

Synthetic drugs have become popular, almost replacing most illegal drugs. What parents have to understand early on is that these synthetics can be even more harmful than the substances they mimic.  

What are They?

Synthetic drugs are substances that are wholly manufactured in the laboratory, most often to mimic illegal drugs. They are a result of chemical reactions.

The main reason for this chemical processing is usually to sidestep the provisions of the law regarding illegal substances. Manufacturers already know about what is regulated and what is not, so they simply replace the banned components with newer synthetics that are not yet known to the authorities.

However, most manufacturers will also claim that the modifications are aimed at eliminating harmful side effects while enhancing performance of the naturally occurring drugs.

Harmful Effects

Synthetic drugs can be put into two categories: Cannabinoids and cathinones.

Cannabinoids, also known as Spice and K2, are synthetics of marijuana; they contain laboratory manufactured THC. If you are keen, you’ll realize that these products, as well as G-Four and Mojo, never list all their ingredients. This is because some of the components are not safe for human consumption. Cannabinoids can be between 2 to 500 times more toxic than naturally occurring marijuana. They cause serious allergic reactions and are known to posses most of the symptoms of natural marijuana such as nausea, anxiety, paranoia, discomfort, confusion, and a strong desire for the feeling to end. Cannabinoids also cause short term memory loss affecting reasoning ability and learning and have been proven to negatively affect motivation and emotional stability.

Cathinones, or bath salts, contain substances that mimic cocaine or meth. They come in different names such as Ivory, Blow, Wave, Vanilla Sky, and others and may contain designer chemicals such as pyrovalerone, methylenediozy or mephedrone. Bath salt has several side effects, both short and long term. Users are characterized by seizures, severe paranoia, decreased need for sleep, lack of appetite, chest pains, hallucinations, self-harm, and violent behaviors. In the long term, these people may suffer liver failure, kidney failure, mental illness, increased risk of suicide, and even death.

Parents should therefore do all they can to ensure that their kids do not come in contact with these drugs.

Click below or call 866-889-3665 for more information on synthetic drugs

Can Marijuana be Addicting in Teens?

The question of whether or not marijuana is addictive can be framed in more than one way. Can users withdraw when they want? Are there withdrawal symptoms if intake is suddenly discontinued? What should show that a user is psychologically addicted?  

Well, marijuana is slightly different from the other addictive drugs. While a user is likely to experience subtle withdrawal symptoms when he or she suddenly stops using the drug – irritability and anxiety among others – these symptoms are usually only mild compared to benzodiazepines and opiates. For example, a user of cocaine who suddenly quits usually suffers greatly increased pulse rates, high blood pressure, becomes dramatically uncontrollable and may even have seizures and die.

However, that it’s effects are mild in comparison to other drugs does not mean it is not addictive. Addiction doesn’t just mean being physically dependent on a substance; addiction is characterized by compulsion where users become partially out of control often resulting in severity and intensity.

What Causes Addiction to Marijuana?

Dependence on the drug is most common in heavy users. Continual use often results in increased tolerance which slowly produces pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes. Pharmacokinetics determines how the drug is absorbed, distributed, and even how it is metabolized and excreted. Pharmacodynamics defines how the drug interacts with target cells. These changes often require that the user increase doses to achieve a common desirable effect.

Are There Risk Factors of Addiction?

There is ongoing research on factors that might increase the risks of cannabis addiction with frequency of use and age being targeted. Evidence shows that frequent use at a young age is one of the risk factors. Other factors include affiliation with peers who use drugs and emotional distress. Adolescents are at even higher risk because they are at a stage in life when the brain is still developing. They may suffer poor neural development which leads to cognitive malfunctioning.

Click below to schedule your consultation with a Visions Adolescent Treatment professional.