Troubled Teens Resources

Many parents are fatalistically discouraged before they even start searching for a troubled teen boarding school. Even though recent statistics say that teen age drug abuse has undergone some decreasing numbers, there are simultaneous reports predicting a new wave of cheap variations of heroin and meth flooding the country.

Statistics do not matter, in the end, to the parent of a troubled teen. They just want to hear that sometimes it works out. They want to hear that even though their kid fell, and fell hard, that they can justifiably believe in his recovery.

The fact of the matter is, that is true. Year after year, private boarding schools, military schools and wilderness therapy programs turn kids around, perhaps advancing them further than had they never had a drug problem. Because schools that specialize in addicted and problem teens teach skills and provide cognitive training and critical thinking that public schools do not provide, putting them in a superior position in navigating future challenges.

Psychology Today has an interesting article suggesting that the popular media rendering of the addict is misleading and pessimistic.

“…this fatalistic thinking about addiction doesn’t jibe with the facts. More people overcome addictions than do not. And the vast majority do so without therapy. Quitting may take several tries, and people may not stop smoking, drinking or using drugs altogether. But eventually they succeed in shaking dependence.”

A parent should approach the selection of a troubled teen boarding school with the confidence and anticipation that their teen will resume living a constructive and fulfilling life, all the stronger for having met his enemy head on and walked away the victor.