Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Teens

There are many forms of therapy that are used to treat teen psychological illnesses. One of them is Dialectical Behavior Therapy, otherwise known as DBT. This form of talk therapy is similar to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. However, its structure and focus are slightly different. DBT has become so effective that it’s known among mental health professionals as an evidence-based treatment method for psychological illness for both teens and adults. This means that evidence exists for the effectiveness of this type of therapy in treatment.  

DBT is a behavioral therapy meaning that it focuses on a teen’s behavior to measure his or her progress. Therefore, it provides tools and teaches certain skills that can help to modify a teen’s behavior so that it’s healthy and safe. In fact, this form of therapy is considered to be a treatment method for psychosocial illnesses, including addiction and personality disorders. DBT teaches adolescents the skills they need to move closer to their life goals and assists them in integrating those skills into everyday life. When a psychological illness gets in the way of functioning in school, home, and work, a teen may need tools to manage his or her symptoms. DBT is meant to address those issues by teaching skills to cope with interfering thoughts, feelings and behavioral patterns. Additionally, DBT aims to replace any self-defeating, dysfunctional coping mechanisms, such as relying upon substances in order to feel better. 

In fact, one skill that is the focus of DBT is mindfulness. This tool helps one become more aware of the present moment and all that is happening within and around a person. Mindfulness can assist a teen in becoming more aware of those thoughts that might trigger substance use, self-harming behavior, or aggression. In fact, DBT is a compassionate treatment method that can bring meaning and purpose into a teen’s life. DBT can help a teen with understanding and managing overwhelming emotions, learning more about oneself and thinking patterns, dealing with difficult people in life – including parents, learning more effective ways of coping with stress, and improving relationships. 

DBT consists of both individual therapy as well as group therapy. However, one significant aspect of this treatment method is to participate in a 16-week Skills group, which is the venue for learning the necessary life skills that make DBT so effective. The Skills Group typically meets for 90 minutes once per week, while individual therapy or group therapy can take place once to twice per week, focusing on sharpening skills and integrating them into daily life.

Research indicates that those adolescents who participate in DBT are half as likely to make a suicide attempt and required fewer hospitalizations. They were also less likely to drop out of treatment. DBT has been successful for many years. 

If you are a caregiver or parent of a teen with a psychological illness, consider Dialectical Behavior Therapy as a treatment method for your teen.

Teens Who Drink and Smoke May Be At Risk for Prescription Pill Addiction

Experts in the field of psychology are always looking for connections and relationships. Doing so helps them prevent, treat, and understand psychological illness. One potential connection found was the relationship between drinking, smoking, and abuse of prescription pain medication among teens. This connection was the result of a study administered by Yale University and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health August 21, 2012. 

According to the study, teens who drink or smoke are two to three times more likely to abuse prescription pain medication later in life. Experts from Yale University took the results of the 2006-2008 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which surveyed teens and young adults ranging in age between 18 to 25. By analyzing the data, they found is that 12% of those surveyed reported they currently abuse prescription pain medication. And of that 12%, just above half (57%) abused alcohol as teens, 56% smoked cigarettes, and 34% smoked marijuana. 

Recognizing the problem with teen abuse of prescription pain medication, lead researcher Dr. Lynn Fiellin, associate professor of medicine at Yale, commented, "about 3.5 million young adults abuse prescription opioids, "and this number is growing." It should be noted that just because there is a connection between drinking, smoking, and prescription pain addiction doesn't mean that there is a cause-effect relationship. 

Prescription pain medication contains opioid. Common forms of opioids, in the form of painkillers, include oxycodone, hydrocodone, diphenoxylate, morphine, codeine, and methadone. Opioids can also be found in the illicit drug heroin. In fact, many teens who get hooked on prescription pain pills often resort to heroin because it's more accessible and often less expensive. Because of a need to feed the addiction, many teens develop an addiction to heroin. And because many teens and young adults have developed a problem with opiates (including overdosing and death), there has been epidemic of this type of addiction around the country. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, prescription drug misuse by adolescents is second to marijuana and alcohol misuse. However, When teens get a hold of and use prescription drugs in a way other than how they are prescribed, it is considered abuse. Research indicates that 20% of teens that have abused prescription drugs reported that they did so before the age of 14. Also, 33% of teens believe that using prescription drugs not prescribed to them is okay. Sadly, many teens believe that abusing prescription drugs is safer than abusing illicit drugs such as cocaine. However, the abuse of these drugs, particularly by at-risk youth can easily lead to irreparable consequences.

If you're a teen who is using pain medication without a prescription, you might consider the risks. As already mentioned, misuse of prescription pain medication can lead to an addiction to heroin. Also, many teens and adults around the country have found themselves with an addiction that's more than they can handle. Overdose and even death has happened for many teens since 2011. 

If you're experiencing this type of addiction, calling for help can help turn things around. If you can find the courage inside you, talk to a parent, school counselor, teacher, or adult you trust. Doing so can save your life!