April 19th, 2008 by jgold454

As a parent of a teen addicted drugs it can be difficult to help them institute change when they remain in their home environment. Often the influences outside their home have a profound impact on their behavior and typically it matters more to them than their family.

Teens who are dealing with substance abuse issues may also find the pressures they experience and their peer influences make it hard to stick with positive life changes. That is why residential treatment programs are usually best for young adults, because removing them from those influences and pressures and placing them in a healthier environment helps them focus on necessary change. Wilderness therapy is an excellent alternative to residential therapy and treatment programs for teens. Wilderness therapy has shown to be quite effective in dealing with other issues like oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, along with substance abuse problems. Wilderness Programs provide therapy and help institute positive behavior changes. Teens are given strict guidelines to ensure their safety and the safety of other participants. Teens learn through their interactions with nature and they are often humbled when they realize that they can not manipulate or change nature to suit their needs. They learn the value of working with a group and the importance of cooperation. The wilderness skills they learn help teens gain a healthier self esteem and also how to learn react in positive ways with peers and authority. Teens who resist the idea of more clinical treatment centers often find that the wilderness therapy programs provide them with what they need to develop a healthier lifestyle and more positive self esteem.