Marijuana is the number one illicit drug that is used and abused in the United States, commonly known as “pot”. The majority of pot users become acclimated with marijuana during their teenage years. Statistics reflect that over 15 million Americans experiment with marijuana within an average month but never become addicted. Approximately 4.3 million Americans abuse marijuana, qualifying for drug dependence and addiction. Applicable to teens and users of all ages, the phenomenon of addiction is characterized by compulsions to use marijuana despite negative consequences, an acquired tolerance for the drug, and withdrawal symptoms that take effect upon cessation of marijuana use.

Thankfully, teen marijuana rehab centers exist specifically to tackle problems resulting from substance abuse. Marijuana rehab centers cater their program to the lifestyles of teenagers and understand the idiosyncrasies unique to every generation.

Swapping Math Class for A Self-Appointed Recess?

When a teenager begins using marijuana at the expense of other activities, such as school, sports, and hobbies, the teen may have a problem with substance abuse. At an age when brains are still developing, catching unnecessary exposure to toxins and free radicals is extra crucial to precluding neurological and health issues later in life.

Teen Marijuana Addiction Symptoms

If your teen is losing interest in activities that used to enthrall them and you suspect marijuana is involved, be wary. Red flags indicating a potential problem with marijuana include:

• Glossy, bloodshot eyes
• Dilated pupils
• Substituting other drugs such as Xanax or alcohol throughout periods of time in which your teen is “coming down” from marijuana
• Hanging out with a group of friends that he avoids having over to the house
• Attempting to stop using marijuana unsuccessfully
• Manipulating the truth about marijuana use
• Poor performance in school and sports

Preventative Measures Before Teen Rehab is Needed

If your teen is experiencing several of these symptoms, you may want to consider intervening via an inpatient treatment center for teens. Teen marijuana rehab is recommended for teens following a path toward self-destruction. Barring treatment and/or recovery, continued marijuana use contributes to long-term health issues. It is clinically proven to damage the human body in many ways by inducing:

• Memory problems
• Increased risk of lung cancer
• Susceptibility to other cancers and illnesses
• Decreased fertility
• Onset of mental illness such as a psychotic episodes following long term use
• Lowered immune system functioning

Watch Them Flourish

Studies show that the longer a teen stays in treatment, the higher the teen’s chances of success in maintaining an active recovery program post-discharge. As a result, many teen marijuana rehab centers offer classes for teens to attend while in treatment. This component of treatment precludes teens from falling behind in their studies while recovering from marijuana addiction.

Teen treatment centers are well suited to the needs and tastes of adolescents. While in treatment, teens are required to abstain from all mind altering substances, including alcohol, narcotic pain pills, and illicit drugs. When a teen is taking classes in a safe, drug-free environment, the teen may experience rises in performance in comparison to pre-treatment academic achievements. Likely skills and knowledge that remained dormant during marijuana use are given the opportunity to shine throughout treatment.

Family Involvement

Another benefit teen marijuana centers provide for families is the option to attend family therapy session(s). Because the disease of addiction affects everyone in the family – if it didn’t, why would Al-anon exist? – marijuana treatment team professionals encourage families to play an active role in the teen marijuana addict’s recovery process. Perhaps the parents can fly in for a two-hour long session hosted by the teen’s assigned therapist. The therapist has gotten to know the teen addict and has an idea of the family dynamic at play. Throughout the session, all parties can bring their concerns to the table for an open discussion. Almost all family therapy sessions are productive and leave everyone involved optimistic about the future.

Teen Marijuana Rehab Aftercare

Thriving in a sterile environment motivates and encourages teens to continue engaging in recovery-based activities upon exiting the rehabilitation center. In addition, trained clinicians and resident assistants work with the teen to draw up an aftercare plan. The teen’s aftercare plan is a crucial component of the overall treatment regimen. A typical aftercare plan includes:

• Relapse prevention techniques
• A list of triggering situations, people and places to avoid for a specified period of time
• Coping mechanisms for incidents where triggers are unavoidable
• Psychiatric and psychological follow-up appointment information
• Integrating fun plans into the overall big picture, such as equine lessons, watercolor painting, joining a chess club, or taking a photography class
• A summary of progress achieved while in treatment

Parents will be happy to know in advance of sending their teen off to treatment that the aftercare plan is carefully drawn up in collaboration between staff and client. It is usually provided to the family of the teen addict in paper form so that it can be kept and referenced often upon rehab discharge.