Addiction and mental illness are things that no individual ultimately wants to face. However, adults are much more capable of taking on these issues as they tend to have the resources and maturity to do so. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for teens who are affected by the same issues. These are just a couple of the reasons why it is so important that teens have recovery programs tailored to their specific needs. This includes teen intensive outpatient programs in Longmont, Colorado.
The Importance of Teen-Specific Recovery Programs
Addiction and mental illness are highly prevalent issues currently facing teens in the U.S. For example, regarding alcohol use disorder (AUD) and teens, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “753,000 youth ages 12 to 17 (2.9% in this age group) had AUD in the past year.”
Regarding mental illness, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “1 in 5 adolescents had a major depressive episode [MDE] in the past year. Of these, nearly 75 percent had symptoms consistent with severe impairment, which caused severe problems with their ability to do chores at home, do well at work or school, get along with their family, or have a social life.” Also, unfortunately, according to SAMHSA, “More than half of youth with an MDE did not receive treatment in the past year.” These statistics just make it all the more clear why teen-specific programs are so important.
Understanding Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are great options for people who are unable to fully commit to a full residential recovery program. Now, this does not necessarily mean that the individual does not meet the criteria for residential treatment. It just means that they have certain circumstances that don’t allow them that opportunity, or it does not fit their specific situation.
Intensive outpatient programs are also very involved. This means that they will keep the individual fully engaged with their recovery, but also able to keep one foot in their everyday lives. They also keep individuals accountable for their recovery by making sure that they continue to check in with counselors and therapists for scheduled sessions.
However, an intensive outpatient program also allows individuals to fully integrate with a recovery community (such as ones that offer a 12-Step program) while they are still going through the recovery process. This can really help as individuals fully transition back into their day-to-day lives. Such a transition can be particularly helpful for teens.
Understanding Teen Intensive Outpatient Programs
One of the reasons why an intensive outpatient program can be so beneficial for teens is that it allows them to stay active in their academic and social lives. Treatment can be very disruptive to a teen’s social development. A teen-specific intensive outpatient program can make that interruption as minimal as possible.
Teen-specific intensive outpatient programs can also be beneficial because they put teens together who have similar “shared experiences” when it comes to active addiction and recovery. One must not forget how important connecting to others in recovery can be, and population-specific programs help make these connections happen more organically. It also matters where a teen intensive outpatient program is located. The more serene and recovery-focused the area, the better the chances for healthy long-term success.
Teen Intensive Outpatient Programs in Longmont
Colorado, especially Longmont, Colorado, is an ideal place to recover. This includes the intensive outpatient programs and teen intensive outpatient programs in Longmont.
Teen intensive outpatient programs in Longmont benefit from being located in perfect proximity to nature (the Rocky Mountains) and thriving city hubs (like Denver). There is also a healthy and well-established teen recovery community in Longmont, which can help teens maintain the friendships and connections that they made in the recovery center. These are just a few of the reasons why individuals choose intensive outpatient programs in Longmont rather than ones in their local community – because they have a proven track record of success.
Helping Teens Heal at The Redpoint Center
Recovery is about the journey, not the destination. Teens have the opportunity to start that journey before some of life’s other challenges start to come into focus. It is a beautiful place to be: a fresh start at a young age.
Here at The Redpoint Center, we understand how challenging it can be to get sober and achieve recovery. This can be especially true for teens trying to heal and get well. The good news is that teens who get sober and find recovery early have a much better possibility of avoiding all of the long-term consequences that can come with a lifetime of addiction and mental illness. They get to be the great kids that turn into the great adults that they were always meant to be.
Many recovery centers have specific treatment programs for specific populations. This includes the adolescent and teen population. This can be critical because people need to be able to relate to one another in treatment, and, ultimately, that cannot happen if people cannot see themselves in other people’s stories. Teens relating to teens can be the difference between recovery and relapse. If you feel like you or a teen you love may be struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to successful long-term recovery. For more information on how Intensive outpatient programs in Longmont, Colorado, can help a teen achieve long-term recovery, call The Redpoint Center at (303) 710-8496.
