Teens, Addiction, Residential Care & Natural Highs with Derek Bowles

ABOUT THE EPISODE:
Derek Bowles knows a LOT about teens, addiction, substances, and the residential care kids sometimes need when local resources aren't working. Derek founded Crossroads Academy in Ogden, Utah over 13 years ago to serve as a place where adolescent boys who are struggling with substance misuse can get away from their home environment (and all that comes with it) and experience the power of getting high - naturally. 

One of the unique aspects of residential living at Crossroads is the adolescent boys participate in X-Game type sports as a way to connect with themselves, their bodies and their therapy team. Wakeboarding, skiing, mountain biking, rock-climbing and gym sessions are all part of the average day for these guys who are in the process of rebuilding their lives. In this episode you'll hear:⁠

• why sometimes kids need to get out of their life for a while and go to residential treatment (and when they shouldn't)⁠
• how to differentiate typical teen behavior and high-risk behavior like drug use⁠
• the two things that research shows works better than treatment and medication⁠
• why adventure-based treatment specifically is so effective with teens⁠
• what to look for if you're considering out-of-home care⁠
• two things Derek wishes parents would stop doing
• why parents have a hard time figuring out how much risk their child is in⁠

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Crossroads Academy
• Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain
• Enlightenment Now, Stephen Pinker
• https://evoketherapy.com/
• Journey of the Heroic Parent - Dr. Brad Reedy
• Dr. Brad Reedy podcast

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