Most families in California, particularly in Los Angeles, are concerned about drug addiction statistics, with opiate addiction topping the list. Misuse of pharmaceutical pain relievers, heroin, opium, and morphine are among them. When teenagers combine them with other dangerous substances like marijuana, cocaine, or alcohol, the issue gets much worse. In 2015, about 4% of the 12 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in high school were estimated to be addicted to opioids. Young adults (18-25 years old), on the other hand, made up 7% of the overall study population and had even higher figures. Prescription medications are the most misused substances, according to the data.
While it is natural to worry about your teen’s possible opioid addiction, you should know that there are numerous teen opioid abuse treatment centers around the state. In this article, you will learn more about different approaches and how to look for the ideal treatment program for your teen.
The Risks of Opioid Use in Teens
Opioids are a class of pharmaceuticals that doctors and other qualified health care professionals, such as pharmacists, can officially prescribe. Opioids treat or reduce pain caused by toothaches and other dental treatments, surgeries, traumatic injuries, and cancer.
Opium and heroin are two types of opioids that are widely consumed in the United States. Both are illicit drugs, and incidents of misuse and addiction have been on the rise recently. Opioid abuse occurs when a person consumes opioids for enjoyment and leisure rather than pain relief. While the number of fatal opioid abuse cases is minimal, opioid overdose deaths are growing alarmingly. In 2015, approximately 4,200 young people aged 15 to 24 died due to drug overdoses. More than half of these figures were attributed to opioid abuse.
Heroin is the most well-known opiate and a highly addictive chemical made from morphine, a mind-altering drug. Morphine is extracted from the opium poppy plant’s dried seeds. In general, heroin appears powdery, generally white, brown, or black in color, although its appearance varies depending on what it is mixed with. It is put inside syringes for injection after being mixed with liquids, such as water. It may be smoked, sniffed, or snorted as well.
Some users combine heroin with other drugs, like alcohol or cocaine, posing more significant health risks. Since 2010, there has been a sharp increase in deaths related to heroin addiction and overdose. Some people who are prescribed milder opioids convert to heroin because the effects are comparable, but it is significantly cheaper and easier to obtain even without a prescription.
Different Types of Teen Opioid Addiction Treatment Programs
Seeking professional aid for drug misuse is usually a taboo subject, especially among teens. Many teenagers are bullied for seeking treatment for any illnesses related to mental and behavioral development. Parents want the best for their children, and what’s best is a teen opioid addiction treatment center because it ensures confidentiality, allowing your teens to feel secure.
Medications such as methadone and buprenorphine reduce withdrawal symptoms by targeting the same brain regions as opioids do. However, they have the opposite effect as opioids and do not promote addiction. They help restore harmony in the brain’s activities, allowing it to start the healing process. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) permits long-term usage but advises users to see their doctors before discontinuing these medications to avoid withdrawal.
Naltrexone is another medication that your doctor may recommend. It does not help someone quit using opioids, but it does help them avoid possible relapse. Relapsing implies returning to opiate use after a period of abstinence. It also avoids or reduces the feeling of euphoria in individuals who take opioids.
Professional assistance may be required to improve mental functioning and habits. Individual and group therapies, family counseling, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are examples of behavioral treatment methods that can help handle severe adverse neurological effects, such as depression and anxiety disorders. These therapies can also help people quit smoking, avoid cravings, and repair broken relationships. The willingness to be treated remains critical to the success of any approach. If your teen is addicted to opioids, you must talk to them and convince them to quit for their own good.
Residential programs incorporate housing and treatment services. Your teen stays in the same house as other treatment members, so they may support one another in staying sober. Inpatient hospital-based methods combine health care and addiction treatment therapies for people with medical concerns. Hospitals occasionally offer intensive outpatient treatment. These therapies are carefully planned, and they frequently include a combination of counseling and behavioral therapy. Medications are commonly used as well.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) refers to the use of medications in combination with therapies and counseling. Its goal is to use a “whole-patient” approach to treating substance use disorders (SUDs). The medicines used in MAT have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). MAT programs are scientifically based and tailored to each patient’s needs. In addition, they have been shown to reduce opioid use, overdose deaths, criminal activity, and the transmission of opioid-related infectious illnesses. In a 2009 study, researchers determined that the availability of buprenorphine reduced heroin overdose mortality in Baltimore by 37%. Lastly, MAT also enhances social interaction and treatment compliance.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Treatment Program
Teens who are ready to face their drug abuse issues desire quick, immediate help. As a parent, you must be the first to support them, even if their friends and relatives find it difficult to do so. Aside from having a broad understanding of the rehab institutions, it is vital to comprehend the extent of the treatment programs. Here are some essential characteristics to look out for:
- The therapy techniques are scientifically proven.
- The services can meet your child’s requirements.
- Teenage mental health is a top priority.
- Aftercare or post-treatment recovery facilities are provided.
- The treatment program incorporates and encourages family support.
- The programs are designed to improve social, emotional, and spiritual growth.
- The facility provides well-balanced meals as well as exercise schedules.