Substance Abuse Treatment in Baton Rouge

The world can be difficult to manage for those who are still figuring out how everything works. Sometimes, teenagers make poor choices as they are learning to navigate life. If your teen is struggling, you can help them find substance abuse treatment in Baton Rouge.

If your family needs additional support during this challenging time, our skilled team at The Maples is ready to help. We put your teen and their well-being at the center of our treatment plan, providing a variety of care options to help find what works best.

Symptoms of Substance Abuse Disorder in Teens

It is no secret that teens can be moody. However, it is important to recognize changes in your child’s emotional state that may indicate they are struggling. Signs of substance abuse may include:

Major shifts in mood
Apathy or loss of motivation, including no longer caring about goals or responsibilities
Uncommon hostility or anger, mood swings or irritability, including sudden sadness, or defensiveness
Anxiety or depression
Hyperactivity or mania
Shame or guilt, expressing feeling “bad” or trying to overcompensate with charm or humor
Smoke smell
Decline in hygiene
Burns or track marks
Dramatic weight change
Struggles with speech

If your teen is struggling with substance use, you may also notice certain behavior changes, such as:

Change in friends or peer group, such as a new, older, or “different” crowd
Changes in routines, including sneaking out, staying out later, and sleeping all day
Secretiveness or becoming guarded about whereabouts, phone, or friends.
Lying or covering up, telling stories that don’t add up, avoiding eye contact
Declining grades, missing school, incomplete homework, loss of focus
Loss of interest in activities, such as quitting sports, clubs, or hobbies
Stealing or money issues, such as unexplained missing money or valuables
Paraphernalia, including pipes, vape pens, lighters, baggies, eye drops, foil, etc.
Frequent use of gum, mints, or perfume to mask the smell of alcohol, vape, or marijuana

This is not a complete list of symptoms, nor are these signs always indicative of substance abuse. Some of these behaviors may be evidence of other mental health concerns. If you have observed several of these substance abuse symptoms, it may be time to consider treatment options in Baton Rouge.

Treating Substance Abuse Disorder in Teens

The Baton Rouge team at The Maples treats substance abuse using a combination of different therapies and techniques.

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery, or Self-Management and Recovery Training, is a program of support for individuals who are struggling with addiction. The goal of SMART Recovery is to help your teen learn how to control their addictive behaviors by focusing on their underlying thoughts and feelings. This program encourages your teen to explore their emotions in a meaningful way and gain an understanding of their impulses.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on examining, understanding, and changing your teen’s thought patterns. This may include developing more efficient problem-solving skills that allow them to cope with a wider variety of situations. CBT includes treatments such as learning mind-calming or relaxation techniques, role-playing through difficult situations, or even facing things that your teen may fear rather than avoiding them.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a variant of talk therapy that is designed for people who experience their emotions very intensely. Based on some CBT techniques, DBT focuses on encouraging your teen to accept their life and behaviors while helping them work towards changing for the better. This includes developing strategies to help them overcome their unhelpful behaviors.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing refers to a collaborative, goal-oriented communication style that pays special attention to the language of change. It makes efforts to strengthen personal motivation or commitment to a goal by examining your teen’s reasons for change without passing judgment. This kind of communication walks the fine line between attentive listening and giving advice, helping your teen feel empowered by ensuring they feel seen and in control of their own decisions.

Reach Out to Our Team in Baton Rouge To Explore Treatment Options for Substance Abuse

Your child deserves the best treatment available to them. The dedicated team at The Maples is trained to provide substance abuse treatment in Baton Rouge and help your teen on their journey to recovery. Using a program that focuses on your teen and their specific needs, we will help them become the best version of themself. Contact us today to learn more.