Treatment Challenges and Approaches for
Addicted Adolescents continued from page 20
Adolescents naturally wonder why certain things are okay in one state while outright illegal in another . Children see adults they respect and look up to using substances while still hearing messages about the dangers of drug use .
When adolescents do not have the ability to understand all the intricacies of the situation , they will often toss up their hands and give into the influence of their mentors or peers . Use can then lead to addiction , which manifests in significant negative behavior changes . Addicted adolescents begin seeking their drug of choice regardless of illegality , legality , or other circumstances . A significant sign of addiction is apparent when children engage in behaviors they would not otherwise normally do . As the matter becomes more worrying and complicated , behavioral health professionals can find themselves in a quandary about what to do .
The pattern that I see in residential treatment settings typically looks like this :
• A child is caught using drugs and ultimately placed in residential treatment .
• The child does very well and works the program in residential treatment .
• The child is discharged in good standing .
• The child returns to the same or a similar environment from which they came , and ( usually very quickly ) returns to the old behaviors .
In addiction circles , this process is called relapse . In religious circles , it is called backsliding . Others call it regression . A lot of repeat residential clients fall into this vicious pattern . The ideal of going into treatment once and being cured for life is certainly appealing , but in reality , most clients who struggle with addiction or substance use require continued or repeated treatment .
A PATTERN OF RELAPSE THAT IS PREDICTABLE AND DISCOURAGING
Regardless of the variation among laws from state to state , treatment has a practical and technical aspect . While education is generally provided from an ideal perspective , providers must work in a reality in which their young clients may be close to family and friends whose marijuana use is legal and acceptable . Additionally , while their age may make substance use illegal , adolescents may observe family and friends using substances that are fully legal in another state but that are outlawed and shunned in the adolescent ’ s state .
The old adage that addicts need to find different playgrounds , different playthings , and different playmates to encourage their sobriety has no real practical application among children . That ’ s because most often they do not have the freedom to simply move to a different place and find different friends . The matter becomes especially complicated when the child has a limited number of family members or friends who are willing to assume custody of the child .
RESEARCH CHALLENGES ON THE EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA USE ON ADOLESCENTS
Any discussion of adolescent drug use must acknowledge that the adolescent brain is continuing to mature and develop . While the effects of various drugs on the adolescent brain continue to be researched , generational studies confirm the genetic inheritance of addiction to various substances ( see bit . ly / 3uRp1mg ). This article in the Spring 2016 issue of Advances in Addiction & Recovery also adds to the discussion : tinyurl . com / 49zeh8ut
With the legalization of marijuana in many places , research opportunities will become more accessible . What would have had to be researched among an illegal community now can be conducted among individuals and groups who have no need to be secretive about their behaviors . Of course , this is still not true for adolescents and minors . While many underage individuals are using drugs legalized for adults , they are not as inclined to reveal their behavior . continued on page 22 The Advocate Magazine 2022 , Issue # 2 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org
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