Locating Knoxville Treatment Centers
As the third largest city in Tennessee, Knoxville is a center of Appalachian culture and home to a campus of the University of Tennessee. But the city has its share of urban problems, like substance abuse and drug-related crime, and Knoxville drug rehab centers see clients from all walks of life.
In an effort to stop the growing trend of teenage drug and alcohol abuse, the city's Metropolitan Drug Commission has taken steps to promote prevention and education among Knoxville families.
A Guide to Entering a Rehab
It's never easy for a family to admit that a teenager needs to enter a Knoxville drug treatment center. Adolescence is a vulnerable time, and many parents are afraid of labeling their kids as addicts or alcoholics by overplaying their involvement with drugs or alcohol. But the risks of teenage substance abuse -- drunk driving, unsafe sex, depression, isolation, accidental injury and suicide -- are too serious to overlook.
Inpatient rehabilitation isn't necessarily the answer for all teens. While some young adults need 24-hour monitoring and medical detox, others may benefit from an outpatient program that allows them to continue to live at home with their families.
With the help of a qualified addiction specialist, you can determine which type of rehab center is best for your teen. Individual and family counseling, mental health evaluations, group therapy and behavioral modification classes are available at the inpatient or the outpatient level.
Teenage Suicide and Substance Abuse: What's the Connection?
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among young Americans, and there's a strong correlation between substance abuse and suicide among teenagers, according to Current Opinion in Pediatrics:
- In 2007, teens under the age of 14 who reported binge drinking were almost three times more likely to attempt suicide.
- Teens over the age of 17 who binge drank were 1.2 times more likely to attempt suicide.
- Teens who drank while depressed were three times more likely to attempt suicide.
- Suicide attempts were especially common in older adolescent males with a history of substance abuse and mental illness.
Explore Rehabilitation Services in Knoxville
Drug and alcohol abuse affect Tennessee citizens of all ages, but adolescents, in particular, are vulnerable to the damage caused by drinking and drugging. Clinical research has established that the teenage brain is still developing, and that faculties like judgment and decision-making are still evolving. Rehabilitation services for teens emphasize the importance of protecting the physical and mental health of at-risk adolescents.
Our addiction specialists can give you the information you need to start your search for Knoxville addiction treatment programs. Call now.