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Adolescent Residential Inpatient Program
Is the disease of addiction different from that of adults?
The central nature of the disease of addiction, the dysfunction of the
mesolimbic reward system in the brain is the same for adults as for
adolescents. The speed of onset, however, can be dramatically different.
One scientist, Dr. Anna Childress of the University of Pennsylvania describes
a "stop," "go" mechanism in the brain. The "go" system is the primal older
part of the brain that responds to pleasure and pain - the mesolimbic reward
system. The "stop" system is located in the frontal lobes of the brain and
helps manage our impulses toward immediate rewards. The frontal lobes of
adolescents, however, continue to develop in to their twenties so that their
initial reaction to alcohol/ drugs, when pleasurable, is often not interrupted
by the voice of reason. If the predisposition to addiction is present, the
disease may then develop instantly. The disease and its physical, behavioral,
and spiritual consequences are the same but the onset usually is much more
rapid than in an adult. Once addicted, however, adolescents should recieve
much the same treatment as adults.
Admission
Following assessment, a patient is admitted and welcomed to the community.
If an adolescent needs medical detoxification, he/she can be treated for the
medically necessary period at our Kirkland facility. The patient is assigned a
"buddy," a patient who is involved successfully in the program, to familiarize
the new patient to the facility and the program. More than likely, the new
patient will attend their group within hours of admission.
The Nature of the Treatment Community
The strongest influences for adolescents for better or worse are the peers that
dictate the behavior of the group. Most adolescents who are addicted and in need of
treatment have adopted a group in which drugs and drug taking are the norm. Treatment
begins with exposure to another peer group, a group of adolescents who believe there is a
better way to act, think and believe. The milieu at the adolescent unit is designed to
promote that better way and to help patients begin acting, feeling and thinking their way
to sobriety.
A Highly Structured Routine
Drug addicted adolescents like adults lose all sense of self-discipline and structure
in the grip of the disease. They become impulsive, dangerously risk-taking and resistant
to any authority.
The staff of the adolescent unit understand both adolescents and the disease of addiction.
Patients are asked to adopt a stuctured day of education, group counseling, recreation and
exposure to 12-step programs. While there is often initial resistance to stucture, patients
gradually are attracted to the benefits attested to in daily groups - a letting go of shame
and guilt, a new and different kind of energy to move forward, meaninful relationships built
in trust and mutual sharing.
Involved Parents
Addiction splinters relationships. As drug taking becomes foremost in the addict's
thoughts or behavior, the adolescent usually becomes a stranger to parents. Parents often
believe at some level that they must have done something wrong for their child to have
become so isolated from them and other meaningful friends and family.
It is critical that parents understand the disease of addiction and its progression.
For this reason we require at least one parent to attend
family week. In addition there are
education sessions two times a week and a communication workshop on Saturday following
visiting hours.
Academic Tutoring
A local school district provides tutoring for patients during their stay. The tutor
oversees the adolescents continuing involvement in class work from their schools. The
tutor will also coordinate with the adolescents schools to provide a smooth transition
back into their grade level.
Staffing
From the physician who oversees the medical program to the maintenance and dining room
staff we are careful to choose employees who not only understand addiction but also like
working with adolescents. The staff collectively knows when the patients need
words of support and when they need to be reminded of their responsibilities in the
community. Part of the treatment experience for adults and adolescents is a modeling
process - watching and learning from recovering adults who have become well adjusted
decision makers.
Continuing Care
Returning to daily life after treatment is precarious for any addict without a solid
plan to stay in recovery. It is imperative for adolescents to have a structured routine
that includes solid support for the new behaviors learned in treatment. We believe in
the process of continuing care so strongly that we provide adolescents completing
treatment with twice weekly groups for as long as is medically necessary. Meaningful
involvement in a 12-step program provides another piece of an armament to protect
against relapse.
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Contact us now at Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers for FREE Drug & Alcohol evaluations...
Call (800) 231-4303 or email us confidentially
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