Why Do Adolescents Struggle With Addiction?
One of the hardest things to do as a parent is watch your child fall into the throes of drug and or alcohol addiction. As a parent, it’s natural to wonder, “why do adolescents struggle with addiction?”
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t simple. It seems that some people are more vulnerable to addiction than others. Some research suggests that certain people are more genetically vulnerable to addiction than others. Additionally, researchers suggest that adolescents who experience neglect, trauma and or sexual, physical or emotional abuse are considerably more likely to experiment with drugs and or alcohol.
In any case, the negative effects of addiction on developing brains is undeniable. Addiction stunts prefrontal cortex development and creates strong neural pathways associated with one’s drug(s) of choice. Fortunately, the brain has something called neuroplasticity. This means people’s brains are capable of healing itself and creating new neural pathways over time.
Adolescent Addiction Treatment Programs
Believe or not, there’s a ton of different types of addiction treatment programs for adolescents in Colorado and the United States. If you are interested in learning more about what type of program is right for your child’s needs, we encourage you to read this article. For now, let’s focus on some of the most important questions you should ask when calling different treatment programs.
- What type of insurance do you take? Be prepared to give them your insurance information.
- What is the cost of treatment without insurance?
- What’s your clinical philosophy (holistic, 12-step, etc..)?
- Can you update me on my child’s progress?
- Does your clinical curriculum provide information about adolescent addiction?
- What’s included in your clinical curriculum?
- How large are your group therapy sessions?
- What type of amenities does your program offer?
- What’s your policy on relapse?
If your child is struggling with addiction, we can help! At Orion Treatment consulting, we pride ourselves on having hundreds of connections to various levels of treatment care throughout the country. Moreover, our treatment placement services offer you a personalized education on how to navigate the complex world of addiction treatment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find the right treatment program for your child!