What is Adolescent Treatment?
Adolescence is a time of development between childhood and adulthood—or preteen and teenage years. During this time, individuals experience physical, emotional, and cognitive changes as they transition into adulthood. These include growth spurts, emotional developments like mood swings and self-awareness, and increased problem solving abilities. This time is also important for the development of a sense of identity, the formation of new relationships and friendships, and new interests. As a result of these changes, this can be a challenging and confusing time in a person’s life.
Child and adolescent mental illness is on the rise– and can be exasperated by the period of change and upheaval during adolescence. Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent. According to the World Health Organization, up to 20% of teens experience depression, and 25% of teens experience anxiety. Even more troubling, most substance abuse starts in the teen years as a means of coping with all the new feelings and changes going on during this time.
Substance Use Disorders in Teens
Adolescent substance use is widely considered America’s #1 public health issue.
Most common substance use disorders among children and teens are:
Alcohol addiction
Marijuana Addiction
Heroin Addiction
Cocaine Addiction
Meth Addiction
Prescription Opioid Abuse
Adolescent substance abuse during teen years can lead to not only life long addiction, but to continuing mental health disorders as well. Prolonged exposure to these substances puts the individual at a higher risk of mental illness like mood disorders, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Additionally detox or withdrawal from drugs or alcohol can cause increased risk of mental health disorders, and even cause personality disorders and psychosis to occur.
Treatment Approaches
Adolescent treatment programs for mental illness, substance abuse, or cooccurring disorders can involve a combination of treatment approaches, and can vary based on the individual’s needs and circumstances. The first step is often an assessment with a treatment team that is made up of therapists, psychiatrists, and medical doctors. They will evaluate the individual and decide on the best course of treatment.
There are a variety of treatment options and combinations including, inpatient programs (or residential treatment), outpatient programs— including partial hospitalization programs (PHP), or intensive outpatient programs (IOP) — individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, art therapies, and a variety of educational activities and units.
A large emphasis of treatment of adolescents is put on family therapy. Addressing family dynamics in a safe and neutral therapy setting can help caretakers and siblings better understand the struggles that this young person is going through.
The involvement of the family unit can play a huge role in the success of the adolescent during their mental health treatment and/or rehab program in the following ways:
Building a Support Network
By working together during treatment, the family can provide a strong support system that will extend into long-term recovery. Having this support can increase motivation for the client to recover fully.
Treatment Planning
Family members can give practitioners valuable insights about the client’s individual and family history which can help tailor the treatment approaches for success.
Addressing Existing Family Dynamics
This process can address family dynamics that may be unhealthy or contributing in any way to the adolescent’s mental illness or substance use.
Reinforcing Treatment Lessons
Family involvement reinforces all of the skills learned in mental health treatment, and can help to maintain long-term sobriety and good mental health.
Building Trust
Participating families can rebuild trust, repair relationships that may have been triggering the individual, and enhance the home environment for all family members—leading to a safer space for the teen’s well-being and recovery.
By families getting involved, being willing to learn, adjust dynmaics, and support, adolescents have a better chance of staying in recovery following treatment. This part of treatment reinforces that the client has a safe, loving, and supportive space to go to when feeling triggered, and can rely on their family unit to help them through any urges or difficult times in the future.
How We Can Help
Insight Northwest Recovery works with children and teens ages 13-17. Our team of mental health professionals are ready to help you and your family take the next steps to recovery. Set up a free consultation today with one of our team members to discuss a customized treatment plan, and get started on the path to recovery today!