Adolescence, or what could be considered the important teenage years are an especially trying time because of their place at the apex of a major transition; one between the two distinct social classifications that our cultures identify as “child” and “adult.” This gray area of overlap between the two may be considered a difficult transition by some. How difficult depends on many factors, and each of ours is different, but as a general rule I think it’s safe to say that the more drastic changes can lead to teenage behavior and thoughts that can be considered “troubled teenagers.” Confusion and serious consideration of life’s challenges are common when confronted with the prospect of one’s life completely changing. While these thoughts might be considered negative, they are by no means uncommon or even unhealthy. A sober evaluation of each of our worlds is necessary from time to time.

What can make the life and times of a teenager perhaps even more troubling is the disparate imbalance between the world that we are raised as a young child to expect and the one we come to understand as we experience our first major independences. Often when a young person is confronted with the occasionally harsh, grim realities of the nature of our society, they become indignant and rebellious. An understandable response, when considered in the right context. One look at the differences between a Disney movie and the nightly newsreel puts things into perspective quite effectively. While most people understand that to a considerable extent, troubling teenage experiences and thoughts are a natural part of growing up; a growing number of parents are being led to believe that something is seriously wrong with their sons and daughters.  At the first sign of troubled teenager thoughts, they are manifesting symptoms of a disorder that must be treated with psychotropic drugs. Instead of on quick fixes with “medication,” parents must focus their efforts on clear communication and understanding of their child’s thought process. Concerns addressed with respectful acknowledgement and the aid of an elder’s perspective can turn into determination to make the world better and fix the problems causing concern.

The problem today is that access to the most dangerous of activities is no longer limited to big cities.  Drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin were once only found in “bad” neighborhoods.  Today these drugs are most commonly found in rural and suburban communities we all thought were safe.  And a troubled teenager can not only get a hold of these poisons, binge drinking is a common pastime among the young.  When these things get into your kid’s life, you don’t even want to imagine where things might end up.

The good news for teenagers in trouble and their parents is that there are more options for their treatment and restoration than ever before.  In almost any town in America there are outpatient programs and 12 Step meetings which can offer support and life skill training for people in need.  Not only that, but rehab facilities—once few, far between and prohibitively expensive—are now available almost everywhere.  Your insurance will likely even cover such an expense.  Most families choose a facility far away from home for their kids to go to without fearing the pressures of bad friends just on the outside.  Finally, a boarding school for troubled teenagers and boot camps offer means of squaring away troubled teenagers in a creative way.

Which program works for you depends on your child’s problems.  The strategy most experts suggest for troubled teenagers (or anybody with drug and alcohol problems for that matter) is to get progressively more intense.  Start by taking your child to an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous—they work with addicts of every stripe.  If that doesn’t work, ask their school counselor about intensive outpatient treatment programs.  If that doesn’t work, try a rehab facility.  Finally, a boarding school or boot camp might be the trick it takes.

Whatever you do for your troubled teenager, don’t despair and don’t give up.  Their very lives are at stake and your faith in them can restore their faith in themselves.