The young age is an essential stage of growth and development to every person. Parents should be on the outlook since this is the age that most adolescents get exposed to peer influence and other dangerous risks. They get exposed to drug and substances which when taken affects them negatively. Peers at this age get very close and may channel their energies into drugs and substances abuse. Some of the most common drugs are alcohol, bhang, heroin, cigarettes, and cocaine among many others. The significant consequenceis addiction. Once they are addicted, they get dependent on the drugs and can do nothing without them(Drake, 1998). Their health is also affected. Among the most harmful diseases they may contact include lung cancer, liver cirrhosis, bronchitis and brain damage among other deadly infections. There is therefore, need for adolescent substance use disorder treatment. Such approaches can be used to treat and solve any problem that may be facing the victims of the drugs substances.
There are several adolescent substances use disorders approaches which are differently designed to cater for specific aspects concerning each drug and its consequences on the health of the user. Some of the approaches include behavioral procedures, family-based approaches, addiction medications and finally recovery support services. In behavioral approach, the behavior of the adolescent is monitored to get the right treatment that can fully help the adolescent recover from disorders(Weiss, 1998). Such activities include encouraging adolescent to take part in therapy groups and in peer groups, where they get exposed to the cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) protocols and other essential discussions that aim at living lives that are free from drugs and substances. Secondly, the twelve-step facilitation therapy helps the affected adolescent acknowledge that they are addicted to drugs and that they need immediate help from the slavery. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) approach also can be used as a way of motivating the adolescent on the need for proper medication. Finally, on behavioral approach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) can also be carried out as a therapy to help the addicted adolescent to anticipate a problem that may be brought about by drug abuse and finally come up with a solution to the problem (Prendergast,2006). When the above behavioral approaches are carried out, the adolescent stand a chance of full recovery from the disorders.
The second significant approach is the family-based approach where the entire family is engaged in the adolescent treatment. Firstly, Brief Strategic Family Therapy(BSFT) is an approach where therapists help the entire family members to relate to each other positively and established a good rapport amongst themselves(Tarter, 2003). This factor helps in full recovery of the adolescent. Multisystem Therapy(MST) is yet another approach conducted by both a therapist to the family of the affected adolescent with the aim of helping the adolescent who may be at times be so violent or may have the negative attitude to everything(Carroll & Onken, 2005). The therapists make sure the family provides a conducive environment for the adolescent to change for the better. Multidimensional Family Therapy(MDFT) approach do not only involves the family of the affected adolescent but also the entire community to ensure that they both campaign against drug abuse as well as proper treatment for those suffering from drug disorders. When all these forces are combined, the adolescent stands an excellent chance to recover from the disorders.
Finally, Addiction medication is yet another approach. FDA approves this medication. The medications currently present are for the treatment of alcohol, opioids or nicotine. Those addicted to nicotine can use varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapies as well as bupropion to minimize the rate of its addiction and withdrawals (Ouimette & Brown, 2003). Alcohol disorders can be decreased by taking acamprosate, disulfiram and naltrexone which reduce symptoms and alcohol withdrawals inhibits alcohol metabolism and reduces euphoria respectively among the adolescents. The above are some of the medication approaches that can be applied to treat affected adolescents.
In conclusion, the above are some of the applicable approaches to adolescent suffering from substance use disorders. If the treatment is well followed, then the adolescent is likely to achieve the very best from the treatment.Eachapproach can be applied depending on the magnitude of substances disorders on the health of the adolescent.