Behavior Therapy for Drug Addiction Among Children

Behavioral therapies for assisting young people in recovering from drug abuse are a central part of the recovery process. Behavioral therapy centers around changing behavior and thought patterns through the use of reason and the building of strong support structures. Normally, these are used in tandem with other therapies such as medication, but the behavioral approach is a part of recovery that cannot be ignored.

Cognitive Therapy

• Recognizing risk factors and developing coping skills are the central goals of cognitive therapies. Cognitive approaches often are considered behavioral at root, since they use reason and changed thought patterns to deal with problem situations and to cope with the ups and downs of recovery. In this area, the alteration of the thought process is the most important thing.

Family Therapy

• Bringing in the whole family is also important, especially with young people. The support structure of a strong and nurturing home life is needed for the recovery process to go along smoothly. Without such structures, children are likely to go back to old behaviors, friends and situations that would derail the recovery process. Family therapy should always be used along with cognitive techniques.

Motivational Techniques

• Desiring to change is the first major step in recovery. Behavioral approaches to juvenile drug addiction must also address motivation, the desire to change. In this case, telling the truth in a bald and unadorned manner about drugs, the harm to their bodies and the destruction of their futures becomes the means of motivating young people to change their patterns of behavior. The mere showing of pictures of young alcoholics and their diseased livers and yellowing skin is often enough to get young people to alter their perceptions.

Incentives

• Using incentives to continue the recovery process is equally important. For many young people, seeing tangible benefits of their recovery and struggles is important in keeping them on track. Building a reward system through family therapy is often an excellent way to get started building incentives into the recovery process.