Empowering Female Teens: Support Through Our Unique Recovery Strategies

While they may use substances statistically less than their male counterparts, young women have more complex support needs than men in the same situation and face a far greater chance of relapse without the right kind of support. At Lotus Behavioral Health, it’s our mission to offer female teens support by empowering them through our unique paths to recovery.

Nearly 5.6% or 7.2M of women aged 18 years or older had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the US in 2019. Despite the increasing prevalence of women with SUDs, many treatment centers continue to minimize the differences that women and men face while in recovery.

There are, unfortunately, many barriers for young women to receive treatment, putting them at a higher risk than men for developing SUDs. Women report more problems with substance use and experience more health-related consequences than men, yet few women needing treatment for SUDs actually receive treatment.

One big difference between treatment for women and men is the heavy stigma and shame women face in recovery, a driving force for hesitation or avoidance of seeking treatment altogether. Other unique barriers women face to entering treatment include the lack of resources addressing childcare, housing, economic barriers, co-occurring psychological disorders, histories of trauma, and deficient social support from a partner, friends, or family. These barriers make maintaining sobriety for women even more difficult during and after treatment.

If you’re the parent of a young woman who is reluctant to start their road to recovery, don’t give up. Teaching young women about the value that recovery can have on their lives and engaging in self-love during the healing process empowers them to nurture their potential to become strong, confident individuals who are capable of shaping their futures.

By understanding the obstacles they face, like societal expectations of gender bias, limited access to education, and struggles with mental health issues, you can support your teen by helping them explore supportive environments and implement effective recovery strategies. Together, you can pave the way for their holistic growth and development, ensuring they thrive and achieve their goals.

The Behavioral Health Challenges Faced by Teen Girls

Understanding the challenges faced by teen girls unveils a complex landscape marked by pervasive social pressures and unrealistic expectations. From conforming to beauty standards to navigating the treacherous waters of social media, adolescent girls grapple with profound body image insecurities and fluctuating self-esteem.

Moreover, the prevalence of mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression, casts a shadow over their emotional well-being. The omnipresence of technology and social media further exacerbates these challenges, fostering an environment ripe for comparison and cyberbullying.

Behavioral Rehabilitation Centers: A Sanctuary of Support

Creating a sanctuary of support for teen girls is paramount in nurturing their well-being and fostering resilience amidst the challenges they face. Like behavioral rehabilitation centers, these safe spaces offer invaluable refuge where young women can freely express themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule. By cultivating supportive communities, we can establish a network of solidarity that empowers teen girls to confront adversity with confidence and strength.

Ensuring young women have accessible mental health resources and tailored counseling services is important to helping them navigate emotional turmoil and cultivate inner resilience. At Lotus Behavioral Health, we feature a private girls' wing for our female clients that offers customized treatment plans without integration into the boys' program.

While the focus is similar for all our clients, there is a different lens through which each group is facilitated. We provide separate therapy, treatment groups, academics/instruction, dining, activities, and outings for young women to encourage open communication and active listening. We have education groups presented by Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants for overall health and well-being, as well as interventions facilitated by registered dieticians for assistance in achieving healthy lifestyle eating habits and goals.

Recovery is a lifestyle that has individualized goals, and Lotus Behavioral Health helps young women embrace healthy habits toward their recovery-based lifestyle. Our goal is to foster trust and empathy, enabling teen girls to articulate their experiences and seek guidance without reservation. In constructing these sanctuaries of support, we lay the foundation for the holistic well-being and empowerment of teen girls, equipping them with the tools to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world.

Separate Treatment Pathways to Recovery

There are many sex and gender differences in SUD treatment, as women often use and respond to drugs differently than men. Addiction as well is a differing factor as women are more susceptible to cravings and higher relapse rates, requiring individualized treatments to achieve and maintain sobriety. Women tend to have a shorter history of using substances, as they show a quicker progression from first using substances to developing dependence and typically enter treatment with more severe medical, behavioral, or psychological issues.

From as simple as not being able to find child care to being prescribed treatment that has not been adequately tested on women, teen girls also face unique obstacles to getting effective treatment. A comprehensive approach is necessary to provide meaningful support and foster resilience among teen girls as they navigate the complexities of modern life.

Promoting Long-Term Empowerment and Well-Being

Promoting long-term empowerment and well-being involves fostering ongoing support networks and resources, helping teen girls become advocates for themselves while allowing them to cultivate resilience and self-efficacy.

At Lotus Behavioral Health, we promote a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance, creating environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. Encouraging dialogue and education about these principles not only enriches individual lives but also strengthens communities and societies as a whole, fostering a more equitable and just world for future generations.

Our center is committed to creating a nurturing and healing setting to foster a healthy lifestyle in teen clients. We provide a well-rounded, whole-family-focused approach to teen drug rehab that includes assessment, four distinct levels of teen behavioral health services, individualized treatment options, and more.

If you are a parent of a teenager with a substance use disorder, reach out to the Lotus Behavioral Health team for additional information on our services and the different levels of care we offer at our adolescent treatment facility. You can start the process by visiting our Admissions page, where you can view more information about a complimentary brief assessment to determine eligibility.

To learn more about navigating the challenging journey of addressing teen substance abuse issues, contact Lotus Behavioral Health for an intake consultation at (833) 884-7246 or visit our website.