Medication is often critical to comprehensive treatment for addiction and mental health in teens. However, medication is not a quick fix nor necessary for everyone. Medications can effectively treat acute and chronic symptoms and improve a teen’s quality of life. Medication management for addiction and mental health involves the initial evaluation of ongoing monitoring to ensure the safety and effectiveness of prescribed medications.
At Beyond Healthcare, if medication is recommended for your teen, we take the time to explain the benefits and potential risks and allow you sufficient time to make an informed decision. Here, medication is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling, therapies, and ongoing support. If you have questions about medication management, contact us at 833.698.0453 or use our online form.
What Is Medication Management?
For many teens, medications play a vital role in addiction treatment and recovery. Most teens struggling with addiction also have underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or personality disorders. Psychotropic medications can complement individual counseling and other therapies to help teens manage symptoms of these disorders. Additionally, medication can ease withdrawal effects for teens struggling with alcohol or opioid addiction and make detox safer.
Medication management for teen addiction can include:
- Initial evaluation of needs
- Review of medical, mental health, and substance use history
- Evaluation of other medications and potential interactions
- Ongoing monitoring from nurse practitioners and psychiatrists
- Adjusting dosages if and when needed
- Education about medications, including benefits, risks, and possible side effects
- Support in ensuring the proper use of medications
Teens struggling with addiction have different emotional and psychological needs than adults. A treatment program designed with teens’ needs in mind and understanding the nuances of teen addiction is essential to effective treatment. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) reports that medication management for addiction enhances treatment and helps foster sustained recovery outcomes.
The Benefits of Medication Management for Addiction
The main goal of medication management is to alleviate symptoms so that other treatment components can be more effective. At Beyond Healthcare, we know that medication is not suitable for everyone and do not make recommendations for medication lightly.
However, we also know that medication helps teens in treatment find relief from severe symptoms while developing coping skills and building tools through therapy. Medication management can provide a solid foundation to help teens stay engaged in treatment and work toward recovery goals.
Other benefits of medication management for addiction can include:
- Easing the physical and psychological pain of detox
- Addressing chemical imbalances in the brain
- Promoting stability in a crisis
- Reducing sleep disturbances
- Improving appetite
- Improving the quality of life
- Reducing the risk of relapse
A medication management program helps teens understand the need for their medications and discover ways to manage potential side effects. They learn how their medications help them manage the challenges of daily life. Treatment for addiction and co-occurring disorders is dynamic and ongoing. Medication management allows for continual assessment of how medications are working and if they are still needed.
Learn More About Medication Management at Beyond Healthcare
Beyond Healthcare provides holistic, comprehensive mental health services at our outpatient mental health center for adolescents and teens aged 11-17. We understand that mental health and behavioral issues impact the entire family, so we provide support services for families, including therapy and community connections.
In addition to medication management, the mental health services we provide include but are not limited to the following:
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Case management and care coordination
- Day treatment and after-school programs
- Family and adult education and treatment
- Individual and group therapy
- Behavior intervention
- Trauma work
Our center in Toldeo, Ohio, provides treatment through evidence-based approaches to help your teen and family heal. We believe in meeting teens and families where they are, so treatment plans are created to meet individual needs. Contact our team at 833.698.0453 to learn more about medication management.
