Iowa Drug Treatment Program for Youth

Teen drug abuse is a widespread problem. Because of trauma, peer pressure, and other factors, many teens are uniquely at risk of drug abuse and addiction during their formative years. Drug use and addiction can lead to long-term adverse and mental health convocations. It’s essential to understand why and when to contact an Iowa drug treatment program for youth if you or a loved one are concerned about a teen in your life.

Teen Drug Abuse in Iowa

Unfortunately, despite many public programs and the best efforts of many responsible adults, teen drug abuse and addiction have not vanished from Iowa. As of January 2020, Iowa was ranked 17^th out of all 50 states for pain reliever misuse and tobacco use and 10^th for binge alcohol drinking¹. Alcohol abuse, in particular, is one of the most common problems for addicted teens in Iowa overall.

Nationwide, teen drug abuse is closely correlated with opioid overdoses. In recent years, opioid overdose deaths and serious injuries have increased, reaching a peak in 2017².

Drug use and addiction often lead to ancillary problems, such as increased traffic-related fatalities and injuries, social disconnection, low educational achievement, etc. When a young adult is exposed to drugs or alcohol, they risk suffering significant injuries or problems in the future.

Iowa Drug Treatment Program for Youth and Therapy Sessions for Teens

At Ember Recovery, we know how vital drug addiction recovery and treatment are for teenagers and their families. That’s why we offer a variety of Iowa drug treatment programs for youth and recovery programs tailored to individual teenagers and their specific needs. Here’s a closer look.

Residential Treatment Programs for Youth

Ember Recovery offers residential or inpatient recovery programs that are gender specific. We separate our inpatient addiction treatment programs by gender since these programs are the most effective at treating addiction and underlying mental health issues (often associated with trauma). This stems from Ember’s trauma-oriented approach, which seeks to solve the underlying problems that increase vulnerability to alcohol and drug addiction in the first place.

Our boy’s inpatient residential treatment program gives young males the tools and habits they need to thrive as they become responsible adults. Our girl’s inpatient residential program offers a safe and comfortable environment for all adolescent addiction treatments and therapies. We aim to give young women the support they need to recover and become stronger than ever.

Both genders can work through Ember’s evidence-based, trauma-informed care model, helping them treat underlying mental health problems and recover from previous trauma.

We also offer LGBTQIA+ inclusive addiction treatment. Not every teen feels comfortable residing with peers of one gender or another. As an inclusive addiction treatment provider, Ember works with families of LGBTQIA+ teens to ensure their treatment is holistic, practical, and supportive from start to finish.

Trauma-Informed Therapy for Teens and Young Adults

At Ember, we approach addiction recovery and drug treatment by focusing on trauma. Trauma-informed therapy alleviates problems in adolescents and their families if they suffer from early trauma. For example, teenagers who previously suffered sexual abuse may have unique mental health problems that can get in the way of addiction recovery.

Our trauma-informed approach works by identifying and understanding the traumatic events that caused harmful behavior. Our trauma therapy uses a variety of techniques and therapeutic approaches, including

• Leveraging gradual exposure therapy
• Teaching teens coping skills, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and acceptance
• Educating teens about healthy reactions to trauma and helping them understand harmful thought patterns
• Cognitive processing education helps teens develop the skills they need to put any destructive thought patterns into a positive context and regulate their emotional responses

This helps teenagers with addiction better control their responses and thoughts. In time, teens learn how to master themselves and are better equipped to face the challenges of adulthood, even if they are exposed to drugs or alcohol in the future.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

We also offer cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT: a type of psychological treatment that emphasizes rethinking one’s thought patterns and identifying new ways to think positively about challenges or stress.

With CBT, we teach teenagers that many of their psychological problems are based on negative and learned behavior patterns. These can be addressed through conscious effort and new coping skills. When used in conjunction with our trauma-informed approach, Ember’s therapists can help teens discover why they need to use drugs and alcohol and learn and develop better ways to deal with stress without them.

These examples are just some ways that Ember can help at-risk teens or teenagers struggling with addiction. Ember offers unique, personally-tailored solutions for everyone, ensuring that each patient gets the attention they need to thrive as adults in the future.

When to Contact an Iowa Drug Treatment Program for Youth

Teen drug use and addiction are always dangerous. That’s why it’s essential to contact knowledgeable specialists if you or someone you love is at risk of addiction or is currently suffering from drug abuse problems.

At Ember Recovery, we offer a variety of treatment programs and residential programs for teenagers who are at risk or who have experienced the effects of drug addiction. Contact us today to learn more.