Teens and young adults dealing with a substance use disorder face different challenges than adults coping with the same issues. Addiction treatment specifically tailored to young adults can help to address these challenges without wasting time on techniques that may not be suitable for their age group. Ember Recovery provides youth substance abuse treatment in Cambridge, IA that specifically addresses these concerns and gives young adults the tools they need to eliminate substances from their lives and live a sober life.
What is an Age-Specific Treatment Program?
An age-specific treatment program is tailored to a particular age group, considering that group’s unique physiological, developmental, and social needs. Treatment will center around appropriate and effective techniques for that age group.
Benefits of a Youth Substance Abuse Treatment in Cambridge, IA
Just as young people may feel more comfortable with their peers in everyday settings, the same is true for substance abuse treatment programs. These types of programs exist because they can make young adults feel more comfortable and provide other benefits that can help them remain sober.
Recognizes Developmental Maturity
Unlike adults, teens have brains that are not yet fully developed. The brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for reasoning, grows during the pre-teen years but is scaled back during adolescence.[1] This can lead to risk-taking behavior, making teens and young adults more prone to addiction. Until the brain is fully mature, typically at age 25, people can have trouble controlling their emotions and preventing impulsive behaviors. Those involved in youth substance abuse treatment programs realize this. The treatment plans keep this in mind and help teens make the best choices they can.
Make Valuable Connections
Age-specific treatment programs can help young people make valuable connections with their peers. They can meet people who are going through the same situations and realize they are not alone. They can form friendships that can last well after they complete their program. Through group therapy sessions and support groups, young adults can help each other live a sober life.
Can Have More Relatable Conversations
While an adult dealing with a substance use disorder may want to discuss problems their substance use caused in their marriage or their relationships with their children and teens, young adults do not. They can’t relate to these problems and may not want to hear about them as they seek treatment.
An age-specific treatment program can engage teens and young adults in conversations about topics and problems they can relate to, such as getting bad grades or feeling like they don’t fit in. They can also talk about what life will look like once they have finished their treatment programs. These relatable conversations can help to make treatment programs for teens more effective.
Focus on Life & Coping Skills
Treatment programs geared towards teens and young adults will provide coping skills they can use daily. This can include things like what to do when faced with peer pressure, as well as how to handle school stress without reverting to habits of substance use.
Some treatment programs for young adults may also include life skills classes. These can emphasize educational or vocational topics that can help to make the transition to school or work easier once they finish their program.
Educational Focus
Programs geared toward teens and young adults trying to get sober will focus on education. Many programs, such as those available at Ember Recovery, allow young people to continue their education while in treatment. They can also often catch up on high school credits they have missed. This can give them a better chance of getting a job or continuing their education after completing their program.
Judgement Free Zone with a Youth Substance Abuse Treatment in Cambridge, IA
When teens are mixed in with adults during a treatment program, they may feel as though they are being judged. This can be especially true if they feel judged by other adults in their lives. Being in the company of their peers who are experiencing the same situations can provide them with the clarity and peace they need to battle their substance use disorders. They can feel free to speak their minds and receive the care and support they deserve.
Help Dealing with Family Issues
Teens and young adults dealing with addiction may have also faced problems at home with their parents and family. Treatment geared towards young adults can specifically address these issues and provide family therapy sessions to help repair broken relationships. These programs are familiar with common issues such as abuse and neglect, which may have led to substance use. Facilities that offer these programs have the necessary tools and staff to deal with these situations.
Ember Recovery Provides Youth Substance Abuse Treatment in Cambridge, IA
Ember Recovery focuses solely on treating teens and young adults. We have two programs: a residential program for youth ages 12-17 and a separate young adult program for youth ages 18-24. Each program focuses on the direct issues and needs of those age groups. We ensure that teens and young adults enrolled in an Ember Recovery treatment program have the tools to live a sober life. Ember Recovery also offers programs that are specific to teens and young adults who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and dealing with substance use issues.
To learn more about our various treatment programs, contact an Ember Recovery team member today.
Source:
[1] https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/adolescent/
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.