Teens with substance use disorders sometimes have another mental health condition, which leads to a dual diagnosis. Treating both conditions at the same time is vital. Kiwi Recovery offers a dual diagnosis treatment program for teens and young adults. Contact us at 617.751.6610 today to learn more about our mental health treatment services.
Understanding a Teen Dual Diagnosis
Having a dual diagnosis means a person has a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time. It is important to understand that dual diagnosis is not an actual diagnosis but a combination of diagnoses.
Some of the symptoms of a dual diagnosis for teens include:
- Extreme mood changes
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Risky behavior
- Concentration problems
- Avoiding social activities
- Thoughts of suicide
- Developing high tolerance for drugs
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
When treating a teen dual diagnosis, we offer help for both conditions simultaneously. Substance use disorders and mental health conditions can worsen each other, so lasting treatment requires getting to the root cause of both.
A mental health disorder can lead to substance misuse. Teens can use drugs or alcohol to temporarily alleviate some of the symptoms of their mental health conditions. Substance use might appear to help with the distressing symptoms, but they actually make them worse in the long run.
In other instances, substance use disorders can lead to mental health conditions because addiction can make structural changes to the brain.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
At Kiwi Recovery, we offer a dual diagnosis treatment program to help teens and young adults find their way back to sobriety and mental health.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
To help teens get past the worst of the withdrawal symptoms and to help combat the kind of cravings that can lead to relapsing, we offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Certain prescription medications can provide the support a teen needs to be able to focus on therapy.
Behavioral Therapy
Treatment for a dual diagnosis for teens also relies on behavioral therapy, which is a kind of talk therapy. The term behavioral therapy can include many different modalities.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most popular options. It can teach teens to recognize unhelpful and harmful patterns of thought. By being able to identify them, teens can then make the necessary changes that can lead to more positive reactions.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is another type of behavioral therapy that can help teens who have trouble controlling their emotions. Teens often use drugs or alcohol to numb themselves or escape their distressing feelings.
Teaching teens how to cope with those emotions gives them the tools they need to handle substance use urges and strong emotions in healthy ways. DBT also focuses on improving communication skills and interpersonal effectiveness.
Trauma therapy is important for teens who have gone through traumatic events. During this kind of therapy, we can help teens understand their experiences while also helping them process their emotions and memories safely.
Group Therapy
We also offer group therapy for the treatment of a teen dual diagnosis. Learning how to interact with others can be crucial for young people who may struggle with anxiety or relational challenges. By encouraging teens to communicate, we can help them understand they are not alone and that they can find support from peers.
Find Teen Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Kiwi Recovery
At Kiwi Recovery, we offer a dual diagnosis treatment program for teens and young adults that can help them regain control of their lives. With options like MAT and a variety of behavioral therapies, we can guide teens along the path to healing and set them up for success. Call Kiwi Recovery now at 617.751.6610 or reach out online for more.
