Adolescence and early adulthood can be a tumultuous time for young women and their mental health. Burgeoning hormones and pressures of school and social lives can lead to struggles with anxiety or depression. Unfortunately, mental health struggles can often lead to substance use disorders in young adults. There’s nothing quite as scary as watching our young daughters turn to alcohol or other drugs. Sadly, this is a common occurrence. One in five girls will suffer from a mental health disorder before the age of 17. Focusing on healthy habits, thoughts, and goals has never been more important. For some, it’s also a time to focus on healing.

At Roots Renewal Ranch, we remember what it was like when our daughters were little. We could solve all of their problems with a band-aid or a bedtime story. As they get older, it becomes clear that we can’t always fix everything for them. Watching our daughters suffer is heartbreaking and terrifying all at once. But when it comes to mental illness or substance use, there’s hope. We offer treatment programs that can give your daughter the strength, education, and self-sufficiency to live a beautiful life in recovery.
More than drinking
What is Alcoholism?
Simply put, someone might have an alcohol use disorder if they can’t control how much they drink. It can force people to lose jobs, friends, or control of their finances, but they can’t stop. In teens and young adults, alcoholism causes the same problems. It just looks a little different because their lifestyles are different, but they’ll end up losing things that are important to them.
No matter how many things they lose or how much alcohol affects them, they’ll continue to drink.
Understanding Teen Alcohol Use
Early support can change the outcome
With young girls, getting treatment as soon as possible is important — even before you suspect alcohol use disorder:
- If you notice your teen turning to alcohol frequently, it’s already dangerous
- In many cases, alcoholism and addiction can be prevented with proper treatment
- Alcohol use and mental illness often go hand in hand in young adults
- Your child may be suffering from both, not just alcohol-related harm
- The thoughts and feelings that lead kids to try alcohol in the first place can be just as damaging as alcohol itself
What Are the Causes of Alcoholism?
Alcoholism doesn’t have one set cause, but a variety of factors can increase the risk of developing it. While adults and teens share many of these risk factors, some are particular to teens. Here are some things to look out for:
GENETICS
If you or someone in your family has struggled with addiction, your child may be at risk for a substance use disorder. Five genes have been shown to affect things like alcohol metabolism or addiction-related behaviors. While these genes can’t be “cured” or avoided, you can prepare for this possibility by educating your daughter/s and providing them with the tools they need.
PEER PRESSURE
Peer pressure between the ages of 9-17 greatly affects young girls. If their friends are trying it, they need to be able to say “no.” This is difficult for everyone at this age. Making the right friends is important, but so is having the strength to stand up for your beliefs. This is something we can regularly talk to our children about. If our girls are taught the dangers of alcohol use, how to resist peer pressure, and how to seek out healthy friendships, they have a better chance of staying away from illicit substances.
MENTAL ILLNESS
As mentioned earlier, anxiety and depression are common among teens. If they’re suffering, they might be tempted to self-medicate with alcohol. The link between mental illness and substance use is so strong that counseling and talk therapy are included in every available treatment program.
Contact Us Now

How to Know if Your Daughter Needs Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Frequent use of alcohol is concerning for any teen or young adult. Alcohol is illegal before age 21 – they’re aware of this, and they’re still drinking. This is a sign that they either don’t have control of their alcohol use or they don’t see how serious it is.
If a teen uses alcohol at this age, the chances of them developing an alcohol use disorder in the future are higher. We want to catch this as early as possible so we can prevent future damage. Thankfully, treatment for alcoholism has been proven to reduce this risk. All girls are worthy of love, and self-love is the most important kind. When we love ourselves, we put healthy things into our bodies. These are the kinds of things we teach to promote healing.
What Are the Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder in Young Adults?
There are three main types of alcohol treatment for adolescents and young adults. We will work with your family to decide which type best suits your daughter’s needs. This is based on the severity of her condition and your preferences.
Alcohol Detoxification
In some cases, alcohol detox is necessary for recovery. When alcohol is used frequently, it begins to change how the brain works. It can become physically difficult to stop drinking because withdrawals can happen. When this happens, alcohol detox is recommended. A detox program will safely guide your teen away from alcohol in a monitored environment. She will be weaned off alcohol with expert clinicians who can ease her withdrawal symptoms. Detox can sometimes include medication, usually only for a short time.
Residential or Inpatient Rehab
Roots Recovery is a residential rehab and treatment facility. This means that the girls come to stay with us for their healing journeys. Our program runs for 60-90 days. An inpatient or residential rehab helps those with alcohol use disorder by coaching them through traumas, teaching them healthy coping strategies, and encouraging them to live healthy lives. If your daughter’s condition is severe, a residential treatment program might be the right choice for her. Our program is unique in that it’s for teen girls only. Ensuring comfort and safety are among our top concerns for our clients. We believe these things are crucial for a young adult’s recovery.
Your daughter can expect to participate in life skills training (hygiene, meal planning, self-defense, basic budgeting, and more), group therapy with their peers, individual therapy, prayer and church services, camping, and animal care. One of many parents’ biggest concerns about residential treatment is their child missing school. At Roots Recovery, they can remain in school using an online platform, and they’ll be fully supported academically. We have three certified teachers on staff who are always updating you on their work and progress. Your daughter can also expect to care for and interact with our resident animals, including alpacas, dogs, and chickens.
Outpatient Rehab Services
Outpatient rehab services allow individuals to participate in their normal, daily routine while attending treatment. These services are usually in a group therapy setting and take place three times a week for a few hours each day. Healthy lifestyle education, coping mechanisms, and trauma counseling are all included in outpatient rehab services.
What to Expect in Alcohol Rehab
Roots Renewal Ranch is a calm and beautiful place to heal, and it’s catered to young women. Your daughter can expect to engage in daily outdoor activities, chores, group therapy, and self-care. She can expect to be encouraged through grounding activities like animal therapy, gardening, hiking, camping, and more. She can look forward to healthy meals, solid sleep, and unconditional support from our staff and her peers. When she leaves our residential treatment program, she can expect to feel stronger, more empowered, and ready to face and overcome her unique challenges.
Get StartedFAQ
What is the most effective treatment for alcohol use disorder?
Effective treatment for alcohol use disorder typically consists of clinically-proven methods in therapy, trauma counseling, life skills training, and healthy coping techniques. Every so often, medication is recommended to help with mental health conditions.
Does alcohol use disorder go away?
Recovery is possible. Young adults can bounce back quickly with proper treatment.
What is the first step in treating alcohol use disorder?
The first step is usually an assessment of their condition and needs. After the assessment, we can form a treatment plan that will guide them safely into a life of recovery.
Get Help for Alcohol Use Disorder Today!
Watching your daughter suffer from substance use is impossibly hard, but it doesn’t have to be forever. Our 60-90-day program is designed to meet her mental and physical health needs while inspiring her to live a full, substance-free life. We’ll help her stay current on her schoolwork, exercise, learn life skills, and grow in her spirituality. When she leaves treatment, she’ll be armed with the tools she needs to succeed without alcohol.
CALL NOW | (888) 399-0489For a FREE & confidential assessment