Understanding Twelve-Step Programs for Teens and Young Adults
12-Step programs for teens and young adults struggling with substance abuse provide a safe space to share their struggles with understanding peers. Twelve-step meetings also give adolescents accountability while interacting with others who have similar experiences.
Artemis Adolescent Healing Center recognizes that 12 step programs play a central role in long-term recovery for many young people. They’re especially helpful when integrated with professional treatment programs or as part of a young person’s aftercare program during early recovery.
We hope that parents and caregivers find reassurance knowing their teenager has these community resources available as they work together to rebuild the family unit during addiction recovery. Please keep reading to see how recovery meetings and support groups can support long-term recovery.
And remember, our caring team is only a confidential call away if your child needs a firm foundation for success in recovery with the help of our range of support programs at Artemis.
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How Teen Support Groups Help with Addiction Recovery
12-Step groups give adolescents a place to learn from adults and other teens who have faced challenges with drug or alcohol abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that 12-step mutual help groups are one of the most widely used recovery support services for both teens and young adults, while also noting that they are led by others who struggle, not by mental health professionals.
Support groups can also be beneficial for families whose finances may be depleted by mental wellness co-pays. The groups are free to attend, though they are grateful for donations or whatever small financial support you might feel comfortable offering.
Addressing Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse Through Peer Support
AA and NA – the best-known peer groups – address the realities of using or drinking in stark terms. Language like “alcoholism” or “drug addict” seems harsh. The program language, admittedly outdated, implies a certain level of accountability, which encourages the youth who attend meetings to take responsibility for the decisions they’ve made in life. AA and NA also ask for full sobriety and complete abstinence; they do not allow for half-measures.
In meetings, young adults often admit that peers influence their choices. Group discussions can show them how negative friends can encourage drinking or drug use, teaching them to avoid such people and find positive relationships instead.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings for Teens Can Shape a Young Person’s Life
AA was the first 12 step program and remains popular today. While it was designed for adults, teens and young adults are welcome to attend these groups. The only requirement for participants is a desire to quit drinking to improve their daily lives and remain abstinent.
They follow the steps, making conscious contact with their Higher Power, having humbly asked them for help. By the end of the program, they have a spiritual awakening that empowers them to quit alcohol.
The meetings encourage youth and adults alike to turn to a Higher Power, make direct amends with family members, and stay sober. You can find a comprehensive list of AA meetings for teens in-person and online meetings on their website.
Narcotics Anonymous for Teens Offers a Resource for Young People
NA is another 12-step group option, specializing in helping teens struggling with other drugs than alcohol. NA meetings for teens follow the same 12-step process. It includes steps like taking a fearless moral inventory, admitting the exact nature of wrongs, and making direct amends to anyone they’ve harmed.
NA is open to teens and young adults struggling with drug use.
You can find a list of NA meetings on their website. While their in-person meetings are less common than AA, they have a robust network of online meetings.
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SMART Recovery (Not 12-Step Meetings but Worth a Shout-out)
SMART Recovery is another peer support program. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes the critical need for recovery groups and points people to SMART meetings as an alternative to AA and NA.
Unlike 12-step meetings, SMART Recovery uses cognitive-behavioral strategies that teach self-management skills and help make better choices. It’s research-driven and practical, recognizing that not everyone has involvement with religion. SMART Recovery is an excellent program for young people who don’t believe in a Higher Power or believe in spiritual connections.
The Connection Between Substance Use and Emotional Health
12-Step meetings do more than discuss quitting alcohol or drugs. They also help adolescents understand how addiction can impact their emotional and mental well-being.
Groups often discuss how drugs or alcohol have become a coping mechanism for anxiety, fear, trauma, or low self-esteem. The process of discussing these topics with peers helps teens connect their addiction to their inner selves.
Why Mental Health Care Matters Alongside 12-Step Programs
Support groups can be powerful. At Artemis, we believe that they are best as an enhancement to professional treatment. In our experience, teenagers and young adults receive the most benefit by attending both 12-step groups and professional recovery services.
Our programs teach teens to self-reflect, restore relationships with parents or siblings, and practice coping tools to help stay sober. They participate in individual and family therapy, along with peer support groups that help prepare them for AA or NA meetings in early recovery.
Professional treatment programs offer teens a higher level of support than participation in community support groups alone, equipping them with all the tools they need for a sober life.
Insurance Covers the Cost of Seeking Professional Treatment
Substance use disorders are considered mental illnesses, which are covered by group and private health insurers. If you are a concerned parent and want to know how much your insurance will pay for our professional recovery support services, please call our admissions team.
We will gladly conduct a free, confidential review of your insurance benefits and coordinate your services with your insurer.
Up To 100% of Rehab Costs Covered By Insurance
Get Professional Help for Teen Substance Use Disorders at Artemis
If your teen has withdrawn from family and friends and spiralled into addiction, recovery is possible. Our team will treat the alcohol and substance use, along with any co-occurring mental disorders that may have caused them to start relying on harmful substances to begin with.
If you and your teen are ready for a sober future, the Artemis Adolescent Wellness Center team is here to help. Call us confidentially today to learn more and get proven options for.
