The Ins And Outs Of Teen Drug Rehab

There has been a continuing increase in drug abuse among young adults in recent years. Institutions have therefore directed their efforts to develop programs especially focused on teen drug rehabilitation. It is true that the teenage years are a time of curiosity and a time to experiment with new things. But this has led many to take “social” drugs (uppers like ecstasy or downers like valium) – and they eventually become addicted to drugs like these, or other narcotic substances.

Researchers have studied patterns in drug addiction among teenagers and have found that there are teenagers who are particularly prone to developing drug addiction problems:

  • Those who have family members addicted to drugs
  • those who are often depressed
  • those who have low self-esteem
  • those who often feel like outcasts of society

It is bad enough that teenagers get addicted to drugs but it is also known that they experiment with different types of substances at the same time. They have been known to mix drugs like methamphetamine and heroin with alcohol. They use inhalants taken from the fumes of common household products and prescribed medications. They abuse anti depressants, steroids, stimulants and marijuana among others. It is hard to tell who among millions of teenagers will develop a life long dependency on substance abuse and who are only in to it for experimentation but nevertheless, long term drug rehab is always administered to young adults whatever the extent of addiction is.

Drug treatment for adolescents is always a complex process because it involves many psychological and psychiatric therapies since it deals with young adults in a vulnerable state of mind. Parents who suspect drug abuse in their children are advised to get consultations from mental health professionals when making decisions about drug abuse treatments for adolescents. Here are some options for teen drug rehabilitation:

  • Rapid detox -This treatment, which is also known as ultra opiate detox (because they intend to treat addiction to opiates like methadone or heroin) is usually done in a hospital. It is simply known as a rapid process of withdrawal from substances and requires the use of anesthesia.
  • Short-term -This treatment method can be done on an outpatient or inpatient basis and it can involve the use of medications or drug-free type of treatment. Based on the Minnesota Treatment Model, this method is followed by sessions or participation in self-help groups like the Narcotics or Cocaine Anonymous.
  • Long-term -This treatment type is usually done on an inpatient basis where the teenager is placed in a residential rehabilitation facility for a certain period. Most drug abusers who are placed under this program are given methadone until such time they get rid of their opiate dependence. It is followed by counseling and medial care.

Psychological and psychiatric counseling is a critical component in the rehabilitation process. This is where teenagers will learn to motivate themselves and develop skills to cope and resist drug abuse. It is where they will assess themselves and allow themselves to break free from the underlying conditions that lead them to use drugs. They will learn to develop rewarding and constructing behaviors and develop skills to better prepare them for future undertakings. They will go through behavioral therapy which assures their functionality at home, in school or in the community. This is also where they can develop better interpersonal skills so that they will not feel alone or an outsider in social situations.

It is also important for the parents to know that no single rehabilitation treatment appropriate for all teenagers and that there are many drug treatment options to choose from. Certain needs, settings and interventions address different problems and needs among teenagers. Thus the effectiveness of a treatment will depend on its approach to the multiple needs of teenagers. This pertains not only to the drug use but to the psychological, cognitive, behavioral and social needs as well.

Drug Rehab