I tried rehab once and it didn't work—why should I try it again?

If you have already been in rehab, it means you have already learned many of the skills needed to recover from addiction, and you should try it again. Relapsing (going back to using drugs after getting off them temporarily) does not mean the first treatment failed. People with all kinds of diseases relapse; people with other chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma—which have both physical and behavioral components—relapse about as much as people who have addictions.

Treatment of all chronic diseases, including addiction, involves making tough changes in how you live and act, so setbacks are to be expected along the way. A return to drug use means treatment needs to be started again or adjusted, or that you might need a different treatment this time.

What kind of counseling should I get?

Behavioral treatments ("talk therapy") help teens and young adults increase healthy life skills and learn how to be happy without drugs. They can give you some coping skills and will keep you motivated to recover from your drug problem.

Treatment can be one-on-one with a doctor, but some of the most effective treatments for teens are ones that involve one or more of your parents or other family members. You can read more about the different kinds of behavioral treatment options.

I have heard of support groups. What are those like?

These groups—called peer support groups—aren't the same thing as treatment, but they can help you a lot as you go through treatment and afterward. Self-help groups and other support services offer you an added layer of social support, to help you stick with your healthy choices over the course of a lifetime.  If you are in treatment, ask your treatment provider about good support groups.

The most well-known self-help groups are those affiliated withAlcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA),Cocaine Anonymous (CA), and Teen-Anon, all of which are based on the 12-step approach.  You can check the Internet sites of any of these groups for information about teen programs or meetings in your area. 

There are other kinds of groups that can provide a lot of support, depending on where you live. To find support groups in your area, contact local hospitals, treatment centers, or faith-based organizations.

Other services available for teens include recovery high schools (in which teens attend school with other students who are also recovering) and peer recovery support services.


COURTESY OF NIDA