Residential Treatment Centers
Residential treatment centers or RTCs are specifically designed to work with teens who are struggling with substance abuse issues, depression or anger issues. While you may feel that a teen boot camp would be better for your teen – he would learn self-discipline and responsibility – some teens need an intervention that isn’t centered around drill sergeant-type yelling, barracks and “drop down and give me twenty!”
While drug abuse is illegal, it might be a symptom of something deeper. Ask your child’s doctor whether he believes that an RTC or a boot camp would be better alternatives for him. Chances are, he’ll tell you to choose the RTC, because the staff will teach your child life skills and healthy decision-making. He’ll also learn how to set realistic goals.
A good RTC should have individual, group and family therapy programs, positive discipline – no in-your-face yelling – and realistic reward systems.
Boot Camps
In contrast, boot camps mimic a military camp for new recruits, down to and including a drill sergeant who yells at the teens who have committed some wrong. Most boot camp programs also have physical training and heavy-duty physical conditioning.
If your teen’s actions have scared you because he’s on the verge of spending time in juvenile hall, that strong disciplinary setting might have gotten your attention and you’re hoping it’ll get your teen’s attention. As you try to decide whether to sign your teen into a boot camp, keep in mind that he’ll be regularly yelled at for minor infractions. If this is something you believe he needs – and if he doesn’t suffer from an emotional disorder, a boot camp could straighten him out.
Pros and Cons of Each
Residential Treatment Centers:
º Teens learn about themselves in various counseling settings;
º Parents are involved in treatment;
º Teens learn logical consequences.
Teen Boot Camps:
º Teens learn responsibility, respect for authority and self-control;
º Strong structure and disciplinary set-up;
º May help extremely defiant or rebellious teens to straighten out.
º Not therapeutic programs;
º Teens don’t learn new life skills.
