We live a world full of instant fixes and immediate responses. The idea that drug and alcohol abuse may be a life long battle to over come does not sit well. Substance abuse treatment is about connection, family and self discovery. Adolescents who use, cocaine, meth amphetamine, pot / marijuana, alcohol, zannix, adoral and a myriad of mind and mood altering chemicals are at high risk for: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, cutting / self harm, anger, violence, sexual abuse, disease, and destroyed education. If the focus for adolescent treatment is only symptoms continued abstinence is rare.
Adolescent chemical dependency treatment is a complex and challenging undertaking. Aggressive evidenced based therapies combined with a comprehensive multi modal 12 Step based approach, including intensive family work is key to success.
Originally posted on October 27, 2007 @ 10:14 am
