As you can imagine there are many teens who may experiment
with or consciously choose to use substances on a regular basis and they can
easily get hooked in the cycle of addiction. Alcohol and drugs can easily lure
one into the illness of addiction, especially those drugs that are more
addictive, such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Yet, once a teen is hooked,
often addiction treatment is necessary.
The field of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment has been
developing for many years. However, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that the field
started to attract attention. During that time, substances were being used by
younger and younger children, and as a result, there were significant mental
and physical problems. Children and teens were experiencing injuries, behavioral
disorders, psychological illness, and sexually transmitted diseases. Also,
experts began to clearly recognize that teens are different from adults when it
comes to addiction. For instance, the brains of teens have not fully developed
and therefore substances will affect them differently. Furthermore, because
addiction appears differently in teens, the treatment for substance abuse for
adolescents must also be different. Yet, services for teens were not as readily
available. The field of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment began to grow when
mental health professionals began to provide these services where they are
needed.
Types of services that are available for Adolescent
Substance Abuse Treatment include Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
and Motivational Interviewing. These three treatment modalities are described
below:
Behavioral
Therapy – The main principle of this therapy is that behavior can
be learned, and so it can also be unlearned. For instance, if a teen has
learned that using drugs is a way to cope with stress or improve one’s mood,
then that type of behavior can be unlearned and a therapist can give a teen
another method of coping with stress.
Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy – This form of treatment helps a teen make connections
between the way they are thinking, feeling, and behaving. Frequently, there are
automatic and recurring thoughts that can drive a teen to want to use drugs.
This form of therapy invites an exploration of thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors before, during, and after substance use. This can allow for the
replacement of harmful thoughts with healthier ones that might prevent a teen
from using drugs in the first place.
Motivational
Interviewing – This type of treatment is meant to enhance a
teen’s intrinsic motivation to change, specifically to stop using drugs or
alcohol. Of course, there are frequently extrinsic motivators for change, such
as the demand of a teen’s parents, retribution from teachers, etc. However,
this form of therapy helps a teen find within themselves the desire to quit
using drugs or alcohol. One thing to point out about this form of therapy is
that it doesn’t force a teen to use drugs. Instead, it uses a nonjudgmental
approach that facilitates a teen’s authentic desire to quit.
These are some treatment methods that are frequently used in
the field of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment. If your teen is in need of
treatment for substance use, contact a mental health professional today.
