A Guide on Teen Interventions

Many people try drugs in their teenage years, and while parents sometimes chalk up drug use to experimentation or minimize the significance of it, there is a well-documented association between teen substance use and problems such as risky sexual behaviors, motor vehicle accidents, mental health issues, suicidal thoughts, homicides, and high school dropout rates.^1,2 Chronic drug abuse may also lead to addiction, which can follow you well into adulthood.¹ For these reasons—and many more—getting help for your teen right away, sometimes through an intervention, is extremely important.

Yet, parents are often unsure of how to respond when they find out their child is using drugs. They tend to be reactive rather than thoughtfully responsive, perhaps making it up as they go along. The problem with this type of off-the-cuff confrontation is that emotions often take over and lead to unproductive interactions.³

In especially challenging cases, a trained, professional interventionist is a great resource who can guide you through the process to get your child the help they need. This article covers the signs of adolescent drug addiction and outlines which steps to take in response, including hiring an interventionist, what to expect when confronting your child, and what happens post-intervention.

Signs Your Teen Is Addicted

First, it’s helpful to determine if your teen is actually addicted to a substance. While a mental health or medical professional is the only one who can officially diagnose your child, having a foundation of accurate information is important for you as a parent. The following are some of the most common general indicators of teenage drug use.

Physical signs and symptoms may include:²

• Slurred speech.
• Bloodshot eyes.
• Dilated pupils.
• Fatigue or excessive drowsiness.

Behavioral signs and symptoms might include:²

• Unusual or violent behavior over small things.
• Withdrawal from usual family activities and routines.
• Being uncommunicative with parents and siblings.
• Frequent curfew violations.
• Grades deteriorating in school.
• School truancy or skipping classes.
• Lack of motivation.
• Stealing money or pilfering items to pay for drugs.
• Neglecting personal hygiene and appearance.

Emotional signs and symptoms often include:²

• Depression.
• Emotional instability.
• Anger.

Social signs and symptoms may include:²

• Change of friends: Your teen may start hanging out with different kids who might engage in negative or questionable activities your child didn’t use to take part in.
• Socially withdrawing: A teen who is abusing drugs or alcohol may prefer to spend the majority of time in their room, for instance, or they might avoid normal social activities that they used to enjoy.

Know What Steps to Take

If you recognize these signs in your teen, it is important to seek help from professionals as soon as possible. Substance abuse treatment is effective and can empower your teenager to overcome their drug addiction.⁴

The first step in getting help for your child is to take them to a qualified mental health or medical clinician who can screen for substance abuse.⁴ They will ask your teen a series of questions to determine if they meet the criteria for an addiction and afterward may refer them to a substance abuse professional or program.⁴ Generally, children who go willingly to treatment don’t need to meet with an interventionist.

Hiring an Interventionist

If, however, your teen is obstinate or angry and refuses to enter a treatment program, an interventionist may be able to help. A good interventionist is a trained professional who helps a person move out of addiction and into recovery. Anyone you consider should:⁵

• Be trained in substance abuse or addiction.
• Have a level of expertise that allows them to provide comprehensive information to the patient and family members about treatment options.
• Be licensed or certified.
• Adhere to strict ethical standards that are clearly spelled out.
• Coordinate proper transport to treatment.
• Follow up after the initial intervention to advocate for your teen’s recovery.

Besides these qualifications, an interventionist should also be able to:⁵

• Identify whether or not your teen has an addiction.
• Make the correct recommendations for placement.
• Teach family communication and bonding skills.
• Understand your teen’s behavior within the context of the family system.

What to Expect During the Intervention

Once you’ve hired an interventionist, it’s helpful to know what to expect during the actual intervention so you can be prepared.

First, there are 2 main types of interventions: invitational and confrontational.

• Invitational: If an invitational model is used, the family invites the teen to a family meeting the next day. Once there, they invite their child to get help.
• Confrontational: In a confrontational model, the family does not tell their teen about the intervention ahead of time. Instead, the family (and potentially close friends) meets the day before to discuss what will happen at the intervention and review the letters they’ll read at the intervention. Then they surprise the addicted family member the following day.

Safety is a top priority throughout the intervention, so the interventionist will always ensure that any actions taken support everyone’s wellbeing, including communicating in a noncombative, positive manner. Once your teen enters treatment, intervention services continue, including long-term case management and support. Interventionists typically coordinate with the treatment center to ensure continuity of care.

Different Types of Treatment

Once your child has entered a treatment facility, they will be assessed by an addiction professional and referred to the appropriate level of treatment. No single treatment is right for every adolescent, so programs will tailor some of their services to your teen’s needs.⁶

The treatment type and level of intensity will often depend on:⁶

• The severity of addiction, length of previous drug use, and any withdrawal dangers associated with substance abuse history.
• Whether or not your teen has any other behavioral, emotional, or cognitive issues.
• Your teen’s motivation and readiness to change.
• The risk of relapse.
• How stable and supportive the home environment is.

No matter which treatment program a professional recommends for your child, it should cater to adolescents—they have a higher chance of recovery when treatment programs specifically address their developmental, social, biological, and psychological needs.⁶

It is important for your teen to continue treatment after the initial intervention. Under-treating a substance abuse disorder or not following up with aftercare increases the risk of relapse.⁶