Published On: October 26, 2022|Categories: Teen Mental Health, Treatment|

Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager?

It can be rough.

Adolescence is an incredibly influential and formative time in our lives. It’s full of new physical, emotional, and social changes that can be both positive and negative; it’s also one of the most vulnerable phases of our mental health.

Puberty can bring low-self esteem and insecurity; expectations from parents and/or grandparents can be intense; education and career pressures loom in the not-so-far distance; and so much more that’s affected by personal and environmental factors.

Sometimes it’s too much, and your teen’s mental health starts to suffer. They might develop a mental health disorder or a substance use disorder — they might need some extra help.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at partial hospitalization programs for teens and teach you the warning signs to look out for in your child if you suspect they’re struggling with a serious issue that requires more than a brief counseling session.

What is an adolescent partial hospitalization program?

There are two kinds of partial hospitalization programs, mental health partial hospitalization programs and addiction partial hospitalization programs.

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a non-residential treatment program that provides different clinical services to patients who are still able to function daily, so they’re allowed to spend their nights at home.

Adolescent partial hospitalization programs are for teens who do not present an immediate danger to themselves or others, but require some form of mental health treatment.

When a PHP is right for your teen

Life can feel overwhelming and chaotic when your child is struggling with a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, or both. Finding the best kind of treatment can be frustrating, overwhelming, and at times even feel hopeless, but it’s not a lost cause.

A partial hospitalization program provides the same level of intensive treatment that’s offered through a residential program, the only difference being a PHP allows your teen to remain at home overnight and on the weekends.

Your child might benefit from PHP if they:

  • Have completed a residential treatment plan
  • Are being discharged from an inpatient program
  • Are not having their needs fully met in outpatient treatment
  • Refuse to participate in outpatient treatment
  • Are struggling to develop or maintain daily responsibilities
  • Are self-harming or -sabotaging behaviors
  • Are unable to rebuild or maintain healthy relationships with loved ones
  • Have relapsed multiple times

Sometimes, your child just needs a little extra professional support adjusting to their new sober lifestyle. They may be worried about maintaining sobriety, or have ongoing issues they want to continue addressing in treatment, 

Your next steps as a parent 

If you identified several of the above signs and symptoms in your teenager, you may be feeling overwhelmed and not quite know what to do with this information.

Here are your next three steps as a parent.

1. Be honest with yourself

When someone we love is suffering, we can want so badly for them to be okay that we choose not to see or accept if and when their mental health starts to deteriorate or they begin relapsing. You have to see the situation for what it is. If your child is showing signs of a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, or both, they may require partial hospitalization.

2. Take co-occurring disorders seriously

The dual presence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in an individual can take a significantly dangerous toll on both their physical and mental health. If your child shows signs of mental illness and is also struggling to remain sober, reach out to us.

3. Contact us to get started today

At High Focus Centers, we provide personalized, evidence-based care that’s designed to meet your child where they’re at and support them in whatever ways they need.

We offer customizable mental health and substance abuse treatment plans that revolve around your unique medical and personal needs.

To learn more about how we can help your teen on their journey to recovery, send us a message or call our office today at 800-877-3628.

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