Alcohol Use Among Teens & Young Adults

According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 10.6 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 reported drinking within the past year.⁹Consuming alcohol can place teens and young adults at risk for experiencing several dangers, including but not limited to, motor vehicle accidents, alcohol-induced accidents (e.g., falls, drowning), and sexual violence.¹

Throughout the teenage and young adults years, the brain is still developing in certain areas, specifically in the prefrontal cortex (PFT). The prefrontal cortex is responsible for judgment and is one of the last parts of the brain to fully develop.² Drinking alcohol while the brain is still developing places adolescents at a greater risk for long-term learning and memory problems as well as injuries from car crashes or falls do to an increase in risky behaviors.²Seeking treatment for alcohol use can reduce your risk, and specialized teen treatment can help address the unique challenges teens face at this time in their lives.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment for Teens

For many years, adolescents have received addiction treatment based on adult treatment models.³ However, teens and young adults face unique biological changes, mental stresses, and social pressures, and as a result, they often do better when treated with those differences in mind.³

Teens brains are still developing, which means that they may be prone to risk-taking behaviors but are also primed for healing if given the proper tools.³Teen recovery programs focus on the struggles of adolescence while engaging them in a way where they can use their rapidly increasing cognitive skills, expanding social experiences, while also searching for sense of self in a positive way.³

Signs a Teen In Your Life May Be Addicted to Alcohol

While only a healthcare professional can provide an official diagnosis of alcohol addiction (known clinically as alcohol use disorder or AUD), being aware of the signs of alcohol addiction can equip you to know when it’s time to seek help.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) offers diagnostic criteria for AUD. These include the following:⁴

Consuming alcohol in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than intended
Having a persistent desire to limit or stop alcohol use but being unable to do so
Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol
Having strong cravings or urges for alcohol
Continued alcohol consumption resulting in failure to uphold obligations at work, home, or school
Continued alcohol consumption despite the social or interpersonal problems it causes
Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities to drink
Continued alcohol consumption in situations where it is physically hazardous
Continued alcohol consumption despite knowing that it causes or exacerbates a physical or mental health problem
Tolerance, or needing to drink more alcohol to achieve the desired effects
Withdrawal symptoms which develop after suddenly stopping or reducing alcohol consumption

If you notice some or all of the signs above, it may be time to reach out to a professional for guidance.

Types of Alcohol Rehab Programs for Teens

Rehab for teens often includes:⁵

A tailored program that considers gender, relationships, culture, and other factors.
Behavioral therapies that help develop skills to prevent relapse and develop inner motivation.
Family or community involvement to address any contributing factors for alcohol use and addiction. This is important to help support your teen beyond the initial rehab process.
Screening and treatment for other conditions that commonly occur with substance use disorders.

Residential Alcohol Treatment Centers for Teenagers

Alcohol treatment for teens can take place in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. Both treatment settings offer similar evidence-based treatments but differ in intensity level and medical oversight. At inpatient rehab, you live at the treatment center for the length of treatment and have access to 24-hour care and support. Inpatient treatment may be a good fit for teens who have more severe alcohol use disorders, have other medical or mental health disorders (co-occurring disorders), or who need distance from their usual environments.^5,6

Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Centers for Teenagers

In contrast, at outpatient treatment, you attend set appointments during the week and return home after.⁵ Outpatient treatment can include partial hospitalization programs (PHP) or intensive outpatient programs (IOP). PHPs provide treatment most days of the week for 4 to 6 hours per day, and IOP programs vary according to need and provide treatment for a few days a week for at least 3 hours per day.^5,6 Outpatient alcohol rehab for teens works well for those with supportive homes, less severe alcohol addiction, and few to no other medical or mental health disorders.⁵

If you’re at risk of life-threatening alcohol withdrawal symptoms, your care team may suggest that you go through detox at the start of rehab.⁷Medical detox can help teens safely withdraw from alcohol and get ready for further treatment.

Alcohol Recovery Support Groups & Therapy for Teens

Whether teens attend inpatient or outpatient rehab, they will receive a combination of therapeutic techniques to address the underlying thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that led to alcohol use in the first place. Some common therapies used in teen rehab include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT uses the notion that your thoughts contribute to your behaviors, including substance use. So, you can use coping skills to change your thought processes and behaviors, even if your setting does not change.⁸
Adolescent community reinforcement approach (A-CRA): A-CRA focuses on the belief that an adolescent’s environment (including people and relationships) contributes to their behaviors. The goal of A-CRA is to remove teens from negative or dangerous environments and place them in settings that encourage healthy lifestyles and behaviors.⁹
12-step facilitation: This approach involves 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to reduce the risk of relapse (return to alcohol use after a period of not using).⁸
Family therapy: Family therapy aims to address any family risk factors that may have contributed to addiction. At least one parent or guardian is usually included, with the option to include other family members or friends as well.⁸
Group therapy: Therapy sessions that include others at different phases of recovery can offer helpful perspectives, encouragement, and other support as teens begin recovery.¹⁰

Support groups can also make a major difference in a teen’s recovery from alcohol addiction. Some ways to access these groups are as follows:

Use the AA meeting finder to look for age-appropriate AA meetings in the area
Inquire with the treatment facility to determine if they host recovery support groups and/or provide referrals.
Ask a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychologist, if they have any information about local support groups (including ones focused on co-occurring disorders like AUD and anxiety or AUD and depression)
Reach out to school counselors and educators who may have information on support services in the area
Look into community-based programs, community centers, churches, and nonprofit groups to see if they offer on-site groups or meetings

How to Choose an Alcohol Rehab Program for Teens

Finding a place for teen alcohol treatment may seem overwhelming. But there are a few things you can consider that may make it easier to find a good fit.

Inpatient versus outpatient: How often and how much do you drink? Do you need to leave a tempting environment? Would you and your family benefit from some space from one another? Do you have consistent transportation to attend outpatient treatment?
Location: Would it be better for you to be closer to home, or would greater separation be better? Is a rural environment preferred over a city center?
Co-occurring disorders: Do you need treatment for other mental health disorders or complex medical treatment?

Often, there are criteria at each rehab that help determine who would benefit from the types of programs they offer. Talking to your doctor or a mental health professional can also help you decide what you need.

Cost of Alcohol Rehab Programs for Teens

Getting professional treatment for addiction is a vital part of recovery, and the cost should not be a barrier. Most insurance plans cover some form of addiction treatment, and many rehab centers offer payment plans and sliding scale fees.

It is difficult to pin down an exact price for alcohol addiction treatment for teens, as there are several variables that play into final costs. These include the level of care received, the length of time spent in the program, and more. However, if you don’t have insurance, or if money is tight, you still have options. For example, many government-funded and non-profit programs offer free or low-cost treatment options.

Keep in mind that if a teen or young adult is currently on their parent’s health insurance plan, they can utilize that plan to pay for costs related to treatment until they are 26 years of age or obtain their own personal insurance.

Start the Recovery Journey Today

If you are ready to find treatment options for yourself or a loved one, get started right now with our free rehab locator tool. Find addiction treatment facilities that take insurance, inpatient rehabs, outpatient rehab programs, and more.

Teen Alcohol Rehab: Addiction Treatment Programs for Teens