4 Ways to Encourage Better Self-Esteem in Teenagers

Adolescence is an awkward time for anyone's self-esteem. For teens who have become chemically dependent upon drugs and alcohol and are in recovery, focusing on positive self-esteem building is especially important. Our family recovery support program is an essential part of healing each person in the family and allowing them to overcome their poor self-esteem. At Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, we're committed to the long-term healing of each teenager in our treatment center. We can help your son recover from substance use and mental health issues, allowing them to move into a better, brighter future. For more information about our treatment programs, please reach out to Stonewater today at 662.373.2828.

1. Take On Family Fitness or Physical Activity Challenges

Teenagers need to know they are not alone in their awkward insecurities and their imperfections. Practicing sports, finding family fitness challenges, or exploring new physical activities together is the perfect way to do that. Everyone in a family system has different strengths and weaknesses. For the teenager in your family who feels extra insecure because of their recovery from addiction, alcoholism, or other mental health issues, it is essential to highlight the normalcy of that. Together you can have fun, embarrass yourselves, and find confidence. Remember to be encouraging and focused on the positive while also being prepared to soothe any triggered frustrations which might come up.

2. Have Family Crafting or Artistic Time

Many teens fall in love with creative arts during their adolescence because they find a way to express themselves, which feels unique to their voice. Most teens who go through chemical dependency treatment will experience various forms of creative healing arts, including art, music, and drama. Find family art projects like a giant puzzle, painting a room a new color, or decorating an area of the house together. Allowing your teen to make creative decisions gives them the confidence that their individuality and the peculiar vision they have of the world has validation in your world and the world of your family.

3. Explore Your Teen's Interests

It's so much easier as parents of teenagers to shake our heads and say we don't understand. Being seen, acknowledged, heard, and understood is deeply important to teens in recovery who are trying to make peace with the process of discovering themselves. Find out what they're interested in and consider it. Poetry? What kind do they like? Literature? Who are their favorite authors, and why? Are there nearby museums, college lectures, or festivals dedicated to their interests? You can show your support in the things that make your teens the unique individuals they are. For instance, you can take an interest in the hobbies and interests that help them maintain their recovery.

4. Attend Family Therapy

More than anything, teens need to know that their families care for them despite their challenges with addiction. Adult addicts and alcoholics live with a tremendous amount of guilt for the wreckage and damage they caused, often through their adolescence and into their adulthood. Your teen's years of substance abuse may be few but compact in heartache. Having a loving and forgiving family is vital for recovery. Attending family therapy is a way to allow everyone in the family unit to heal their spirits, which addiction in the household can tear down quickly.

Contact Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center

At Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, families can move forward with the hope of a better future. Our residential treatment programs offer premiere healing for adolescents and teens. Supporting academic progress in addition to clinical treatment, we focus on helping clients build a foundation for recovery. For example, we offer a range of substance use and mental health treatment programs for adolescent boys, including:

Alcohol use treatment
Heroin use treatment
Cocaine use treatment
Opioid use treatment
Prescription drug use treatment

With the help of our treatment programs, your teen can improve his self-esteem and grow more confident. For more information about how we can support your teen, call Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center today at 662.373.2828.

The Stonewater Adolescent Treatment Process

What to Expect When Your Child Goes to Treatment

More than half a million families put a child into residential treatment for adolescents each year. If your family is taking this step, you are not alone - even if it may feel that way. With a clear understanding of what to expect, and trusted guides walking alongside you, this moment can be transformed from a time of fear and uncertainty to the beginning of a new and positive journey. Let's begin.