Treatments for Adolescent Substance Abuse

Adolescent substance abuse contributes to declining academics, physical and mental health problems, as well as social and family problems. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention also reports a link exists between teenage substance abuse and crime. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most common substances abused by adolescents are alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and prescriptions drugs. Treatment options for adolescents with substance abuse issues include a variety of outpatient, residential and outdoor experiential programs.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Needs

• Depending on an adolescent's substances of choice and the amount used, a detoxification program may be necessary before treatment begins. Detoxification provides medical treatment as people withdraw from heavy substance use. Substance abuse treatment requires behavioral therapy to treat the addiction and underlying mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Treatment assists adolescents with learning new coping strategies, social skills and emotion regulation techniques. Family therapy is often used as a strategy to improve family functioning and assist with relapse prevention.

Outpatient Services

• Outpatient services include individual, family and group therapies. Outpatient treatment may also include medication management services with a psychiatrist if necessary. Outpatient therapy ranges from one hour per week of counseling to intensive day treatment programs that provide six to eight hours of group and individual therapy per day. Day treatment programs tend to be short term and serve as an aggressive service to facilitate change. After completing day treatment adolescents transition to a less intensive outpatient therapy program.

Residential Treatment

• Residential treatment provides structure and safety for adolescents with significant substance abuse problems. Teenagers receive treatment while living at the facility. Some residential options include an on-site school. Residential treatment programs provide a variety of individual, group and family treatment. Adolescents learn how to establish healthy relationships, find positive social activities and develop coping strategies to deal with emotions. They also learn skills to maintain their sobriety once they return home.

Wilderness Therapy

• Various wilderness therapy options provides a less traditional approach to adolescent substance abuse treatment. According to the Assessment of Treatment Outcomes in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare, wilderness therapy shows effective results in reducing behavioral and emotional symptoms. Adolescents receive individual and group therapy, while participating in outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping. They learn to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, while building confidence and learning conflict resolution skills. Removal from peer groups and withdrawing from technology allows adolescents to focus on healing.