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The simple fact is early treatment for teenagers is of critical importance. Whether a teenager is struggling with substance use disorder or a mental health issue, early treatment options are essential. Rather than seeing a professional consultation with a clinical behavior provider as a last resort, it should be the first consideration. When a red flag is raised in a family, when parents suspect that their teenager may be struggling with a behavioral health problem, accessing help becomes a necessity.

An impediment facing many parents is the fallacy of the last resort mentality. Over the years, Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. (TTC) has seen the last resort mentality lead to too much unnecessary and often heartbreaking damage. Indeed, too many parents worry about embarrassment. For many people living normative lives, the idea of enrolling their teenager in behavioral health treatment is just plain crazy. Overcome by shame, they choose not to choose, rejecting early treatment for teenagers. Instead, they raise their voices and get angry, but they do not act. Indeed, the brutal reality of acting is paralyzing.

Without question, we understand that deciding to seek early treatment for teens can be difficult or possibly overwhelming. But it is the right decision. Also, we do not judge anyone in our care, especially parents, and we feel their pain. For years, we have seen children in crisis. Yes, teenagers are still children, and too many of these youth are torn apart by alcohol/drug use and/or mental health crises. If considered right away, early treatment for teenagers is effective. Since we know treatment works, we say take action: Get them help!

Early Treatment for Teenagers Makes Sense

Indeed, the clinical staff at Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. (TTC) often deals with youth that are brought into our residential facilities or our outpatient programs as a last resort. With young lives already in shambles and addictive habits deeply ingrained, recovery is that much harder to achieve. If depression or anxiety are left untreated for too long, such toxic perspectives become a part of a young person’s way of perceiving the world. If caught early, however, sustainable recovery for a teen is so much more likely. Thus, early treatment for teenagers makes sense.

As the Director of Program Development and Youth Services for TTC, Dr. José C. Salazar, Dr.PH., explains the challenge. Dr. Salazar says with passion, “Whenever a young person enters our programs, the goal is to support both the youth and their family. With an in-depth knowledge of childhood through adolescence development, our clinical teams treat the whole person and provide multiple resources for the family. We know from experience that providing early treatment can help stop or reduce the negative impact of behavioral challenges.”

Help Your Teenager Today and Tomorrow

Given such a perspective, it makes sense to pick up the phone and call us today. If you suspect that your child is experiencing a mental health challenge or experimenting with alcohol/drugs, including nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana, please do not wait. After all, your child is your most precious cargo, and he or she needs to be protected more than anything else.

Therefore, do not let an initial challenge become a deeply ingrained and even co-occurring difficulty. Instead, embrace early treatment for teens. Ultimately, early treatment reduces suffering across the board for both young people and their families.