Troubled Teens and Boot Camps - More Harm Than Good?

To seek treatment, or not to... Thousands of parents have read the horror stories of troubled teen boot camps and how some have been accused of accidental death, as well as sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.

Stories about troubled teens and boot camps have sprung up all over the mass media, including one written last April by Justin Wood of ABC. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Jon Martin-Crawford says he spent four years in such a facility, and can recall "staff punching students in the face while restraining [them]," as well as staff "wrapping kids up in duct tape and blankets" and not letting them out "even to use the bathroom," according to testimony he prepared for today's hearing before the House Education and Labor Committee.

Martin-Crawford is expected to say he saw other young residents at the Family Foundation School of Hancock, N.Y., "forced to eat food they were allergic to, and [made] to keep eating even if vomiting was a result."

It is my belief that boot camps for troubled teens do more harm than good. The practice of "tough love", which obviously breaks down a teen's emotional and physical stability, is not what troubled teens need to help them.

This information is not intended to scare you - the parent - away from treatment for your teenager. It is meant to encourage you to do your due diligence when seeking treatment for your teen.

There are programs and resources to help you provide treatment for your teen outside of a facility, but you should still consult a doctor or therapist in your practices. Hazelden is a leading provider of home-based treatment programs for teens struggling with alcohol or chemical dependency. For behavior treatment, try the Total Transformation.

10 Questions About Troubled Teens and Treatment

When choosing a residential facility, instead of a boot camp for troubled teens, there are 10 questions that you should ask yourself. Written by an Educational Consultant for families of troubled teens, these questions will get you thinking about the right steps to take when choosing a residential or rehabilitation facility.

In closing, please remember that theses stories of neglect and abuse are very real in boot camps for troubled teens. There have been residential facilities known to abuse struggling teens as well.

Your job is to find that perfect facility for your teenager. There are amazing residential facilities that really help troubled teenagers in their walk through life. I know the journey is tough, and very difficult on you and your family. But if you believe that treatment is the next step for your teenager, we stand behind you and your decision and want to help in any way that we can.

Find resources for parenting Troubled Teens and ask yourself these 10 questions a parent should ask themselves about all resources for troubled teens

Robert Van Es