Recovering from drug and alcohol abuse isn’t an easy task for any addict. Every addict comes into drug treatment with their own unique set of concerns and needs. Because of complex nature of addiction and its specific effect on each individual, they must find a drug treatment facility that provides the right balance of programs and services that will best suit their needs. Finding an appropriate drug treatment program not only hinges on finding the right combination of treatment services, medical care and support, finding treatment that is age specific is also key in giving addicts the best chance at achieving and maintaining long-term sobriety.

teenage girl

Why is Finding Age-Specific Treatment So Important?

There are so many things to consider when choosing a drug treatment facility and program that finding one that is also age specific can often get lost in the shuffle. Finding an age-specific treatment center can be extremely beneficial to a person’s recovery in the fact that different age groups respond differently to treatment. The needs of an 18-year old who enters drug rehab is far different that someone who is in their thirties, a baby boomer, or over 65. When an individual is seeking treatment for themselves, a loved one or a friend, finding a rehab that has treatment programs that is age-specific and can be individually tailored to meet each addict’s specific needs and goals can make all the difference in the world.

The Benefits of Age-Specific Drug Treatment Programs

When we talk about the effectiveness of drug treatment, the first thing that comes to mind is the ability of treatment staff to utilize the variety of treatment services they offer to tailor a customized treatment plan that meets the needs of each client. Age-specific drug treatment programs are able to individualize those treatment plans even further, which significantly improves the chances of sustaining meaningful recovery for a lifetime.

Age-specific treatment makes a difference in a number of areas:

Treatment Focus

An age-specific treatment program  can make a huge difference in recovery due to the fact that staff can create a more focused environment for those who are in treatment. For example, people that are in treatment who are older may have grown up in an age where addiction was seen as a moral and spiritual failure and that being addicted to substances was shameful.  On the other hand, younger people  who are in treatment may find it difficult to be motivated to recover because treatment staff may not understand issues of peer pressure and may have a standoffish attitude of staff  who remind them of their parents.

With age-specific treatment, treatment staff are well-versed in the specific cultural and societal norms and issues that impact specific age groups and how it impacts their recovery. This increased sensitivity allows clients to feel more at ease during the treatment process.

The Detoxification Process

Many people who enter drug treatment will undergo medical detoxification in order to minimize the physical and psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal. A staple of the detox process involves the use of medications and other medical interventions.  When patients in recovery are grouped according to their age groups, their medical and psychiatric needs are more easily anticipated and met.

Those staff who specialize in medication therapy as well as co-occurring disorders that are a part of the detox process are aware with issues specific to the general ages of the patients. The staff that manage age-specific treatment programs utilize a variety of approaches which can include pediatrics, adult medicine and geriatrics in addition to therapy and other essential treatment services.

Fostering a Sense of Community

As stated earlier, those who come to drug treatment walk their own unique path on their respective roads of recovery. Whether it is intensive inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, day programs or sober living, those who take part in an age-specific drug treatment program will have better chances of succeeding in their recovery because they are sharing their triumphs and setbacks with peers who are similar to them. Building up a supportive community of fellow addicts during the drug treatment and recovery process is absolutely critical to each patient’s success.

Guardian Recovery Network Provides Effective Age-Specific Drug Treatment That Will Help You Recover

The weight of addiction on and individual can be made worse when worrying about finding the right treatment options. If you are looking for quality age-specific drug treatment, call Guardian Recovery Networks toll-free today. Located in Delray Beach, Florida, our staff is fully committed to ensuring that our clients receive the best possible care in order to achieve ongoing, lasting recovery from drugs & alcohol.

We offer a wide variety of evidenced-based drug treatment programs that feature a solid 12-step based philosophy in addition to therapy, life skills training and relapse prevention education. Through these treatment methods, we are able to minimize the chances of relapse, and we give you the tools to help you maintain long-term sobriety.

Call Guardian Recovery Network today.