As the drug overdose epidemic continues, many are giving greater focus to teenage opioid addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths among adolescents increased by 109% from 2019 to 2021, and 90% of fatalities involved opioids.
Teenage opioid addiction is a problem that requires immediate attention. Opioids are highly addictive and have the power to ruin an adolescent’s future. They are also accessible; most teenage opioid users get their supply from friends and family who have been prescribed painkillers for injuries or chronic pain. Because of this, parents must understand what to do if their teenager has become addicted to opioids and needs help getting (and staying) sober.
Opioid addiction is a chronic disease that will last the rest of one’s life. However, not all hope is lost once dependence has occurred. Though there isn’t a cure for this disease, there are ways to manage its symptoms successfully. Psychotherapy and medication-assisted treatment can help a teenager find help for their drug cravings. Parents can play a big role in ending their child’s drug use by taking a few preventative measures.
For immediate help with opioid addiction, MAT Care Clinics provide teenagers and adults with medication-assisted treatment that helps subdue withdrawal symptoms, increasing the chances of long-term sobriety. Our FDA-approved medications treat alcohol and opioid addiction using effective medications that will not create a new addiction when taken as directed.
Psychotherapy
Opioids are powerful, and quitting them cold turkey is rarely successful. For individuals who are trying to take a comprehensive approach to their opioid addiction, talk therapy can be extremely effective.
Research has proven that some teenagers are more at risk for developing a substance abuse problem than others. For many adolescents suffering from teenage opioid addiction, their treatment must be comprehensive, treating the root of their problems. Understanding the risk factors will help counselors and parents gain a greater understanding of the teen and help them get the treatment that best suits them.
Mental illnesses and behavioral disorders can cause an adolescent to be more at risk for developing a drug addiction than their neurotypical counterparts. Psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can affect their decision-making, making them more susceptible to experimenting with substances. Teenagers who do not have access to therapy will, at times, try to “self-medicate” with opioids to ease or numb their pain.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment is a great option for teenagers seeking relief from opioid addiction. Once an addiction occurs, it never fully goes away, which means that even after a person gets sober, they will still have to develop a way to navigate the drug cravings that may follow them for years. Teenagers must find solutions to their cravings and learn to avoid relapses. Many adolescents deal with constant triggers at school and home, making this very difficult.
Medication-assisted treatment can help teenagers treat their cravings and stop constantly thinking about opioids. By investing in MAT, teenagers can live a sober life and focus on their future instead of constantly ruminating on a drug-filled past. Medications such as methadone or buprenorphine are long-acting drugs that can provide a client with an extended period of relief from drug cravings.
Medication-assisted treatment is popular for several reasons. When using according to a doctor’s instructions, these medications will not create a new addiction when taken via injection or oral tablet. MAT is also popular because it does not require psychotherapy. Therapy is recommended for individuals undergoing medication-assisted treatment but is not required. Many teenagers are not yet ready to open up and discuss the issues that led them to experiment with opioids, but they still need help. Parents seeking treatment to prevent relapse can count on MAT to reduce drug cravings and help adolescents cope with their teenage opioid addiction healthily.
Preventing Teenage Opioid Addiction
Because opioid addiction is so powerful, knowing how to prevent it can save families years of stress, heartache, and medical expenses. Teenage opioid addiction can negatively affect adolescents’ development and put their future at risk. Higher education, employment, and social harmony will be hard to find if an individual is preoccupied with opioid use from a young age.
If a physician prescribes opioid medications for a teenager, there may be another way to relieve pain without consuming opioids. Do not be afraid to question the doctor and ask for an alternative. Advocating for teenagers may save them from unnecessary drug exposure and prevent addiction. If there is no alternative, you may be able to request a prescription with a smaller number of pills. The downside of this route is it will require more frequent refills, but the upside is having a smaller supply can prevent opioid abuse.
Destroying and discarding prescription medicine is a key aspect of preventing opioid addiction. Once the medication is no longer needed, it must be disposed of promptly. The most convenient way to dispose of unneeded prescription pills is by flushing them down the toilet. If the medicine is on the FDA’s flush list, you can dispose of it without damaging your plumbing or negatively impacting the environment.
Many communities have access to the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. To combat the drug overdose epidemic and prevent opioid addiction, the DEA has provided citizens with a safe way to remove unneeded medications from their homes and eliminate the possibility of them falling into the wrong hands. The 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day occurs on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Click here to enter your zip code and find a nearby collection site.
MAT Care Clinics | Treatment for Teenage Drug Addiction
Teenage opioid addiction is a serious issue everywhere. This problem can ruin a child’s life, and it will only get worse if left untreated. Therapy and medication-assisted treatment are two of the most effective treatments for drug addiction. When combined with the close monitoring of household prescription medicine, parents may be able to eliminate their teenager’s drug use.
MAT Care Clinics provides a safe and effective treatment plan to help teenagers stay sober and overcome their drug cravings. Our medication-assisted treatment uses FDA-approved medications that subdue drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms without compromising sobriety. Individuals can consistently use medications like Vivitrol or Suboxone to treat their cravings without experiencing euphoric or intoxicating side effects. For more information on our services, contact us today at 833-398-1234 to schedule a free consultation.
