Adolescents and Teenage Addiction Treatment
Adolescent and teenage addiction treatment at Visions aims at motivating residents to identify the harmful effects of drugs, help them stop abuse, and assist them in achieving and sustaining abstinence. At the end of the treatment period, the teen should be able to live a drug free life and become more productive at school, in the family and in the society at large. 
The path to addiction normally starts with the voluntary act of taking the first few doses or rounds. Over time, the user’s ability to choose when to use the drug is compromised; seeking and using the drug soon becomes compulsive. Such behavior results from an extended exposure on brain functioning. Addiction is therefore a disease of the brain that affects several brain circuits including those involved in motivation and reward, memory and learning, and inhibitory control over one’s behavior.
The first phase of treatment usually involves withdrawal from the problem/use of the substance. This can be a very difficult period on the addict because it comes with several physical and psychological effects, such as sleeplessness, nausea, vomiting, chills, sweats, muscle aches, and cramps. The teen might also suffer emotional stressors such as irritability, anxiety, fevers, mood swings, and even depression. While these withdrawal symptoms may not be life threatening, they may have a significant impact on the resident. Visions helps adolescents understand the misconception that drugs can solve their problems. Residents are helped to identify situations where drugs were used to cope with problems and assisted in developing new, effective problem-solving strategies.
The teens and adolescents must be accorded special treatment, because addiction is a personal condition. Some of the principles of a successful treatment plan include:
- Attending to multiple needs of the resident and not just the drug abuse.
- Attending treatment for an adequate amount of time.
- Counseling at both the individual level and in a group to help the individual deal with everyday stressors.
- Medication to relieve symptoms.
- Treatment must be continually monitored, assessed, and modified accordingly to ensure that it meets changing needs.
- Affected teens must be tested and treated for other mental disorders.
- Teens are also be encouraged to identify and change behaviors that may trigger relapse.
Call 866-889-3665 to speak to a Visions Adolescent Teen Treatment Center professional.
Originally posted on April 18, 2014 @ 8:43 am
