Troubled Teens Resources

The rule of thumb is that any freedom from drug addiction can only be maintained after recovery if there is follow up plan that re-enforces the tools that the addict was given in his rehabilitation program. For a recovering teenage drug abuser, it is imperative that they have as new an environment as possible to begin in anew. All old haunting grounds must be abandoned, all old friendships must be terminated and all triggers - those things that triggered or prompted a teen to use - must be eliminated. That can include video games, internet activities, and music.

You can’t expect radical life style changes to be implemented without some means of continuing the healing process that began in rehab, or boot camp or once graduating from a troubled teen boarding school program. Parents, by searching the internet, can find a variety of sites that will continue to provide the newly recovered addict with resources and tools that will assist the teen through rough patches.

One such site we discovered, 12Step.org offers the 12 Step program in the form of a free software package that also includes downloadable worksheets.

“The standard phrase of 12 step groups is “It works if you work it”. This brings up the question “How do you work it?”. Part of the answer to working the steps usually involves writing things down, dealing with thoughts and reflections about beliefs, past behavior and past events. The tools presented in this section are designed to make it easier to complete those parts of the steps that involve individual reflection, thinking and cataloging of past behaviors and events.

These self-reflection tools will not replace the need for accountability, fellowship and encouragement that is only found in a group or community setting. Also, these tools will not do the work for you. They are only tools that make the steps a bit more structured and organized and, thus, hopefully easier and perhaps quicker to work through.”