Treating Addiction

Mental Health in America Mental health: Population-based study Given the intractability of treating drug addiction, it is troubling that the rates of addiction of young people to illegal drugs and alcohol continues to persist. Despite a decrease in cigarette smoking, "daily marijuana use among high school seniors has increased to its highest point in 30 years" and "nearly two thirds (65%) of high school seniors and nearly one third (29%) of eighth graders have used alcohol in the past month" (Winters, Botzet & Fahnhorst 2011).

Treatment rates are not comparable with the demonstrated need for addressing addiction in young people: "about 1.5 million teenagers meet criteria for an SUD [substance abuse dependence]. Of those adolescents, only 111,000 (7%) receive treatment for the disorder" (Winters, Botzet & Fahnhorst 2011). The article "Advances in adolescent substance abuse treatment" offers a summary of the major therapeutic approaches to treating adolescent addicts vs. their adult counterparts. A number of interventions have been studied in addiction research on adolescents.

According to a meta-analysis of various treatment modalities of 55 research studies, the most demonstrably effective include "2-step -- based therapy, TC, family-based interventions, CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy], [and] motivational-based therapy" (Winters, Botzet & Fahnhorst 2011). In the past, adolescents have been treated much the same as adult addicts in a way that has been criticized as developmentally inappropriate.

One of the best-supported interventions with evidence-based research is CBT, which "is centered on the notion that thoughts cause behaviors, and these thoughts determine the way in which people perceive, interpret, and assign meaning to the environment" (Winters, Botzet & Fahnhorst 2011). CBT focuses upon altering maladaptive coping mechanisms and replacing them with more effective methods of self-regulation. Family therapy is also often used with adolescents.

This therapeutic modality is based upon the concept that changing the relationships and family structure is essential to creating a supportive environment for the adolescent's recovery and to minimizing any possibility of relapse. Other, more intensive methods of treatment include in-patient services. In-patient residential housing for adolescent addicts are founded on the principle of creating a treatment community which supports recovery.

"TCs tend to be long-term residential treatment programs that often implement a wide variety of therapeutic techniques, including (but not limited to) individual counseling sessions, family therapy, 12-step techniques, life skills techniques, and recreational techniques" (Winters, Botzet & Fahnhorst 2011). 12-step programs can also be deployed outside of residential settings. "Approximately 2.3% of AA members in the United States and Canada are under the age of 21" (Winters, Botzet & Fahnhorst 2011). Various factors not discussed in the article include financial support for particular treatment techniques -- in-patient therapy and long-term counseling can.