Finding the right treatment center to help with an alcohol addiction requires you to carefully think about your personal characteristics to find a place where you feel comfortable. Although you or your loved one may not have reached the legal drinking age yet, it is still possible to develop an addiction to alcohol. The good news is that you have already taken the most important step by looking for treatment centers that help alcoholics under the age of 21. Now, all you have to do is enroll in a program that addresses the unique needs of young adults.
The majority of alcohol treatment centers divide their admissions standards into two different categories. The first category includes treatment services for children and adolescents who do best when they are not mixed with older adults. The other category is for people who are 18 years of age and older. As you seek treatment, remember that the addiction programs do not care about whether or not you have reached the legal drinking age. Instead, your professional counselors will be focused on helping you to learn how to manage your addiction.
Why Do Young People Get Addicted to Alcohol So Fast?
Young people often believe that they are invincible, or you may have heard that it takes many years to develop an addiction to alcohol. While some people manage to drink alcohol without having a problem, it is also possible for you to develop an addiction within a short period of time. This is because there are many factors that influence who develops an alcohol addiction. A younger person may be susceptible to developing a problem with alcohol if addiction runs in their family since genetics do play a role in who may need treatment later on.
You are also more likely to get an addiction when you are younger and have not had enough experiences in life to develop positive coping skills to deal with trauma or other forms of emotional distress. For example, you might have started drinking as a way to deal with the stress of going to college or to try and get over a violent incident in your past. Going to a treatment center includes getting to work with professional counselors who will show you how to cope with the underlying reasons for why you starting to drink alcohol excessively.
How Do Treatment Centers Address Age Gaps?
When you think about it, a treatment center can offer services to a range of ages that spans decades. Naturally, you need to know that the treatment center you go to will provide services that target your unique needs. This is easily accomplished by offering multiple types of treatment services that all combine to give you a comprehensive treatment plan no matter what stage you are at in life. Look for a treatment program that offers these types of services.
- age or gender-focused group counseling sessions
- individual counseling that addresses your specific needs
- recreational activities that are aligned with your interests such as basketball or swimming
When you enter a treatment program, you are treated as an individual. Professional addiction counselors do not make snap judgments based upon personal characteristics such as your age. Instead, they will take their time to get to know you so that they can develop strategies to meet your needs. They understand that one young person may be going to school while another may already be raising a family. An addiction program with an individualized approach helps you get sober no matter how old you are.
What Can Someone Under 21 Learn From Older Residents?
Although it might be a little nerve-racking to visit rehab for the first time, your nervousness will not last long. After feeling ashamed or scared about your behavior, it is reassuring to finally enter a world where everyone understands what it feels like to be an alcoholic. In fact, you will likely encounter other people your age in the program. You will also discover that the older adults in your groups can teach you many things.
As you get comfortable in your program, be willing to keep an open mind about spending time with the older adults. Taking some time to get to know them may reveal that you have things in common, and it can feel nice to talk about sober activities with people who also share the same interests. Older adults may also have tips to help you prevent relapse and feel more comfortable in sobriety. Sharing your experiences with them in group sessions is an important part of your recovery.
Are you eager to start dealing with your drinking problem? Reach out to our counselors today to get sober before you turn 21 at (440) 253-9915!
