Knoxville’s Marijuana Abuse Treatment Center & Rehab for Teens

Learn more about marijuana abuse treatment at Village Behavioral Health near Knoxville, TN

Marijuana, also known as pot, weed, Mary Jane, reefer, or ganja, is a combination of buds, leaves, and stems from the cannabis sativa plant. No matter the route of administration – whether the drug is smoked in a joint, inhaled through a bong, or eaten in food, it can be dangerous. Long-term use of marijuana can lead to dependence, addiction, and a number of harmful effects.

Teens today are beginning to use drugs at younger and younger ages, a time in which their brains and bodies are still developing. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drugs among adolescents and teenagers. While originally seen as harmless, as thousands of individuals smoked marijuana in the 60s without any notable effects, it’s been well documented that pot today is far more potent. In fact, marijuana today contains at least six times more THC, which is the main active ingredient responsible for making a teen high.

It is difficult enough being a teenager, and the added difficulties associated with marijuana use can make it even harder. At Village Behavioral Health marijuana addiction treatment center and rehab, we have years of experience helping children ages 10-12 and adolescents ages 13-17 overcome addiction and go on to lead sober, happy lives. Addiction is a hard disease to manage, but the staff at The Village in Knoxville, Tennessee will provide you with the support and treatment needed to get you going in the right direction.

Helping a loved one get treatment for marijuana abuse

Dealing with teenage drug abuse and addiction is something that no parent ever wants to confront. Many parents may not think that teen marijuana use is a huge deal, as they grew up in a time in which most people smoked pot. They may believe pot smoking is simply a “passing phase.” However, if your adolescent has become addicted to marijuana, the sooner they get treatment, the better. You may have already recognized that your child is smoking weed, but how can you tell that there is a bigger issue at hand? Here are some signs that can help you tell when marijuana abuse has turned into an issue that requires treatment:

• Poor academic performance
• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
• Losing friends who don’t use drugs
• Inability to connect with family members
• Stealing, lying, or cheating
• Engaging in criminal behavior

When your adolescent has shown an overall decrease in quality of life and relationships with family or friends, this is an indication that their marijuana use is not just a phase and that you should seek help. Locate professional help from your child’s doctor who can refer you to a professional knowledgeable about addictions. These doctors can conduct a chemical dependency evaluation on your teen and point you to the best treatment options for your child.

If it has been decided that your child does indeed need rehabilitation at our marijuana abuse treatment center, take the time to find a program that both you and your teen are comfortable with. Support them throughout the treatment process, assuring them that you will always be there. When they have completed treatment, make sure that your teen continues with the aftercare plan, regularly attending support groups and therapy sessions.

Why consider treatment for marijuana abuse at Village Behavioral Health near Knoxville, TN

While not every teen who smokes pot becomes addicted, if your child has started to seek out and consistently use marijuana, it may be time to find treatment. Frequent, long-term abuse of pot can cause teens to develop a dependency, a condition in which they no longer care about what happens in their lives. Additionally, daily use of pot can affect parts of the brain that control memory, attention, and learning, making it more difficult for your teen to learn and perform tasks that require more than one step. Their school or work performance may decline, they may no longer care about how they look, and they may eventually experiment with other, more hardcore drugs.

A residential treatment center & rehab that specializes in treating teens and adolescents who have emotional and substance abuse problems is one of the most effective treatment options available. A residential program will provide your teenager with a safe environment in which they can explore their emotions and life circumstances that may have led them to turn to pot in the first place. In a residential program, your adolescent can put all of their time and energy into getting sober and learning ways to stay clean. Through a number of therapeutic approaches such as group, individual, and family therapy, as well as medication management and experiential treatments, your teen can once again learn to live a happy, sober life.

Village Behavioral Health philosophy and treatment benefits

At Village Behavioral Health, our main goal is to provide troubled youth a structured, caring, and supportive environment that allows them the opportunity to learn adaptive problem solving skills. We also aid in healing emotional and cognitive issues in order for them to successfully rejoin their families and community. We provide compassionate care for teens ages 13 to 17 who are struggling with mental health and behavioral disorders using a multidisciplinary approach to care that is designed to treat all aspects of a teen instead of just the presenting symptoms.

Types of marijuana abuse treatment offered at Village Behavioral Health near Knoxville, TN

Our residential treatment program provides all patients with 24-hour supervision and intensive therapeutic services. Our chemical dependency/alcohol and drug program provides each teen with an individualized treatment plan based on client-specific needs. Upon arriving at Village Behavioral Health, we will start by giving your child a complete assessment designed to give us greater insight into their struggles. Through this assessment we will be able to determine the existence of any co-occurring disorders that will need to be treated, along with the severity of his or her addiction. Based upon the results, our treatment team will create a plan of care that will serve as the guide for your child’s stay with us. Additionally, your teen will be assigned to a cabin group to whom they can look to for support while in rehab.

Medication: Some teens may be prescribed medication in the beginning of treatment to control the symptoms of co-occurring disorders. After new coping skills are learned, many teens are able to be taken off medication. However, some adolescents may need longer-term medication for other disorders. If your child does require medication, they will be closely monitored by our in-house psychiatrist and nurse practitioner.

Individual therapy: Through individual therapy, a highly qualified therapist will help your child understand and cope with the emotions that may have caused them to use drugs in the first place. Teens will also be taught ways in which their behavior affects their lives and how to make better choices in the future. Individual therapy is held at least once a week, but is available for your teen more often should they need it.

Group therapy: Groups, held multiple times a day, are the main type of therapy we use in our residential program. Group is an important part of your adolescent’s recovery as it allows them to bond and work together with peers who are struggling with similar challenges. Groups help set daily goals, identify triggers, and teach about new coping strategies, controlling behaviors, and relapse prevention. Additionally, your child will participate in an N.A. program and attend 12-step meetings on campus.

Family therapy: When an adolescent or teen is struggling with addiction, it affects the entire family. Family involvement is essential in the treatment process for helping your teen make a lasting change toward a life of sobriety. Additionally, we can address concerns other family members are facing and allow you and your loved ones to process emotions relating to addiction. We provide family therapy at least once each week, more as needed, in order to educate your loved ones about your illness and recovery.

Village Behavioral Health Treatment Center provides adolescents with experiential methods in addition to our traditional therapeutic methods. These include:

• Recreation therapy
• Ropes course
• 12-step meetings
• Crafts
• Music
• Dance
• Drama
• Sports

Continuing care and levels of treatment for marijuana abuse

Discharge planning is started as soon as your teen is admitted to The Village treatment & rehab center for adolescents in Knoxville, TN, which will allow us time to adequately prepare for the future care of your adolescent. A couple of weeks before discharge, your teen’s treatment team will make a recommendation for appropriate aftercare options based on current and future needs of your adolescent. One option may be to step down from our program into an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), both of which will allow your teen to work on their recovery while gradually reintegrating back into daily life. Some adolescents have made enough progress that they’re ready to return to their home environment with referrals to traditional outpatient therapy and community resources.