Teen Challenge: Help for Substance Abuse

Thousands upon thousands of Americans, young and old are addicted to drugs, and alcohol. Many of these people are not ready for help; some don't know that help is out there, others don't know where to go for help. Too many people die from drug abuse each year. Drug abuse is a crippler and a killer. It cripple's people, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Drug abuse can lead to dangerous, unsafe, behavior; which can lead to HIV/AIDS. Whether we face it or not, there is a drug epidemic in the United States. It affects all of us. You maybe addicted, or you may know someone who is addicted; your loved one, a friend, or a co-worker. We are all affected by this problem. None of us are left untouched.

Parents, we need to educate ourselves and learn the names of the drugs that are out there. We need to find pictures and learn what these drugs look like. We have to educate ourselves, in order to help our children. I researched, and found the names of several drugs. They are listed below. They are: blunt, marijuana, ecstasy, nicotine (smoking), alcohol, Steroids (anabolic), speed, cocaine, GHB, rohypnol, heroin, inhalants, stimulants, prescription drugs, opiates, methamphetamine, oxycontin, LSD (acid), and PCP. These are some of the names that I found.

This 38 year old man started smoking marijuana at the tender age of 13. He told himself that marijuana was not a drug, it was harmless. The time came when marijuana was just not enough. He added alcohol. Later he graduated to cocaine and crack cocaine. He dropped out of High School. He frequently changed jobs. The drug abuse prevented him from holding a job. Most of his friends were drug abusers. Some of them ended up in jail. He didn't realize that he lost control of his life. His drug abuse affected his children, his parents and other family members that loved him. It hurts to see a member of your family, or a friend, become crippled by drug abuse. This man tried several times to quit. Only he thought that he could do it alone. He thought he could quit anytime he wanted. He didn't believe he needed help to quit. He didn't realize he could not do it alone. So, the addiction problem grew and grew. Some people said that he was too far gone, that he used too long to be helped.

His mother never gave up; one day she realized that she needed to do more than pray for the problem to go away. She had to get up, off her knees and help him find the help he needed. It takes prayer and actions. This woman didn't get discouraged when places she contacted told her that; her son had to be the one to ask for help in order for treatments to work. This mother believed that she could help her son. So, she kept trying to find a drug program.

One day she was given a list of different programs; Teen Challenge was on that list. The woman never before heard of Teen Challenge. However, she picked up the phone and gave them a call. Her son refused to call. He still believed that he had everything under control. He believed he didn't need help.

Teen Challenge, like the other programs, told the mother that her son should be the one making this call. He has to want it in order for it to work. If he decided to go to the program, Teen Challenge would be more than willing to help him receive the help he needed, to fight his addiction. The mother knew that somehow she had to make her son see that he needed help. This mother was stressed out; she also had another son 37 years old that was addicted to drugs and alcohol. The mother was also trying to get help for her younger son.

From the information she received. She knew that Teen Challenge would be the ideal place for both of her sons. When she told her sons about the program, the 37 year old straight out said he wasn't going to try any rehab centers. He just knew he had things under control and could stop whenever he wanted to. The 38 year old had doubts.

The woman called Teen Challenge back a second time to get more information. After reminding her that her sons had to want this themselves; the counselor gave her the information she requested.

Teen Challenge was a free of charge residential program for adults 18 years old and older. They relied mostly on donations. When the woman heard that eighty-six percent of the program graduates never return to using drugs; she knew she would have to find a way to get her sons into Teen Challenge.

Her prayers were answered. She knew it was going to be extra work to talk her sons into checking themselves into a residential program. She was wrong. Her 38 years old must have hit rock bottom, this time, he listened to her with interest. Both sons took the address and said they were going to check it out. The 37 year old was not ready to check into a residential program, for over a year. He said the rules were too strict and the program was too long.

Even though the 38 year old dreaded cutting off his long hair that hung past his shoulders; he, decided to go to the barber shop and got a hair cut. One of Teen Challenge's rules was no long hair. He also had to leave his automobile at home. That was the second sacrifice he had to make. The same day he went to get information, he got into the program. He was lucky, there were beds available, and there was no waiting list at that time.

Teen Challenge did not use any type of drugs to fight drug additions. They used ministries; There is a lot of church going at Teen Challenge. Their strategies are effective. The program really works.

How can something free to the residents be so effective? My belief is that Teen Challenge brings God and Jesus into the lives of these people. This is why the program is so effective.

Teen Challenge is a long program. To graduate from the complete program, it takes over a year. The way I look at it; one is not giving up 12 or 18 months of his life. He is given the chance to reclaim control of his life, instead of being controlled by drugs.

The 38 year old son remained with the program. He said there were days when he got very thirsty for a drink or thought he had to have drugs. He didn't leave. He went to his counselor and talked about it. He got lonely at times. The rules were strict, they worked hard, and there was not a lot TV watching. This man was determined to get back his life, so, he stuck with the program.

The man was with the program for approximately two months; when he invited his family to a Teen Challenge family dinner. It brought tears to the eyes of some family members. There was the 38 year old, all dressed up, not a trace of drugs; on stage singing with the choir. And they sound good. The choir really sounds good. The guest forgot they were listening to recovering addicts. They were listening to a choir that they really enjoyed.

Members of the family visited him every family day. This helped a lot. He knew that he had their support. The Teen Challenge program mentally, emotionally and spiritually changes the lives of so many people. This man is now 41 years old and still drug free. He graduated from the program. He is now a kitchen manager at one of the Teen Challenge location. He never did grow back his long hair.

Another miracle happened in this family. Shortly after the older son enrolled in Teen challenge program; the younger brother enrolled into another drug and alcohol residential program. He is also still drug free. The brothers give each others a lot of support.

Teen Challenge also offers other programs; which includes opportunities to earn a GED, support groups, and after school children's activities.

For more information go to www.teenchallenge.com