TEENS ADDICTED TO nicotine, alcohol, or drugs can successfully kick their habits. Hundreds of thousands of teens enter treatment every year in order to begin their recovery from chemical dependence. Teen addicts can become "clean and sober" through a number of effective options, including intervention, self-help groups, medication, outpatient counseling, and inpatient treatment and aftercare.

Intervention

Intervention means actively influencing an addicted teen. When family and friends realize that a young person is losing control over the use of an addictive substance, it is time for intervention. There are two types of intervention: personal and formal group intervention.

In a personal intervention, someone who cares about the addicted teen watches for the right moment, when the teen seems open or remorseful, and tries to offer help in some way. The intervention may be as simple as saying, "I know you're worried about...