•    Get appropriate treatment: Talk with a health professional about the best treatment option for your teen, and in your area. Adult programs do not meet the needs of teens because they usually focus on long term health and relationship effects of substance abuse, this isn’t really a concern for teens. If your teen needs to be placed in a structured inpatient or outpatient program look for one with the components they need, like school opportunities or parental involvement.
•    Be involved in the treatment and aftercare program: Let your teen know that you are supportive and there for them. It will probably take time for your teen to reestablish trust and to be forgiven by you, even to be forgiven by themselves.
•    Get help for your family: Talk to a health professional about this. Substance abuse affects the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of the person and their family. Your family members need to know that they did not cause the disease but their behavior can contribute to the continuation of the disease process. Family therapy is an important factor in whether or not your teen will be able to remain sober after treatment. Support groups like Al-Anon and Alateen can be very helpful for family members also.
•    Help establish a direction: establishing a sense of direction in life is very important for your teen so that they can stay sober. Treatment for teen substance abuse usually includes help to identify talents and strengths than be used to find healthy interests. Hobbies and occupations. The teens that develop a sense of purpose in life are better able to avoid substance use.
•    Plan for relapse: most teens relapse after treatment and this doesn’t mean their treatment has failed. Relapse is high because addiction is a long-term disease. And if your teen does relapse, respond with empathy because it is very hard to remain substance free.

i like that it says get help for your family. although maybe only one person is using, it does affect the whole family just in different ways.

That's really true.  When my cousin was using, my aunt started going to specialized therapy for family of meth users.  It helped her a lot I think.  One time her son's therapist told her that she was scared of her son.  And she really was, he was turning into a different person and she was scared of his temper and when he was using. 

lyf said: That's really true.  When my cousin was using, my aunt started going to specialized therapy for family of meth users.  It helped her a lot I think.  One time her son's therapist told her that she was scared of her son.  And she really was, he was turning into a different person and she was scared of his temper and when he was using. 

Thats really sad to  end up being scared of your son. Addiction affects everyone in the family. I cant imagine how my litttle brother would deal with it if he found out about my addiction. I'm his role model and he tries to copy me in every way, but i think it would break his heart if he found out.

I  had to deal with my little brothers addiction. It hurt me so bad to see that this kid who has his whole life ahead of him and so much potential to be something big is wasting it all away with crystal meth. Its changed him and hes not the same person he used to be. I want my old brother back. My family and I are all supporting him through his treatment and going to the group sessions that we need to and are also thinking about getting family therapy to help us cope with it. Addiction is unplanned for and when having to deal with it its so hard to accept and adapt to.