Teen Heroin Rehab

Table of Contents
Special Needs of Teens
Detoxification
Medication
Choosing the Right Type
Alternative Therapies
After Rehab
Insurance and Rehab Costs

The treatment models for heroin addiction have several components and stages. Teen heroin rehab is no different than other treatment models, except for special attention being paid to the mindset, maturity levels and family dynamics of the specific teen involved.

The Special Needs of Teens in Rehab

Studies have shown that the brain is constantly developing from birth through young adulthood. The brain of a teen youth is not yet fully developed in areas of impulse control, decision making, self-control or cognitive planning. These functions develop rapidly during adolescence. Drug abuse and addiction can impair the brain’s development in these areas.

Because of this physical and biological fact, treatment providers cannot and should not expect the same results from the same treatment models between teens and adults. A treatment center that deals with teens routinely has the ability to address their needs, and what is important to them, in a more effective manner.

For instance, to an adult, the breakup between them and someone they’ve been seeing socially for a few weeks might be disappointing, but it is not generally life-altering and tragic. For a teen, this same instance can prove incredibly traumatic simply based upon the developmental stage of their brain.

A teen heroin addict may be frightened of or rebellious against the idea that they need to be treated for their addictions. Unlike adults who seek treatment on their own, many teens are ‘forced’ to stay in a residential treatment facility by their parents. The staff of a teen treatment center is specially trained to deal with this particular aspect of the treatment process.

Once the teen has made the decision to stop using heroin, the recovery period will begin with the first stage known as detoxification.

Detoxification

The process of eliminating the remaining drugs from one’s body is called detoxification or detox. This process can take several days or up to a week in some cases. The teen heroin abuser may experience one or more of a wide variety of symptoms during this process:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Shaking, trembling and chills
• Fever
• Aches and pain in the joints and bones

All of these are normal effects of withholding opiates, like heroin, from the system. Once the initial detox period has passed, the teen may continue to suffer from general malaise for quite some time, and the cravings for heroin can continue for years.

Medication

In recent years, scientists and doctors have developed several medications that have proven beneficial for heroin-addicted patients. These drugs might include:

• Buprenorphine: A drug that binds to the same opiate receptors as heroin but does not produce the same effects.
• Methadone: A drug that counteracts the cravings for opiates such as heroin. The effects of methadone last much longer than heroin and therefore it needs to be administered only one time per day; however, the patient will experience withdrawal symptoms as they wean off methadone later.
• Clonidine: This medication can reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. It is used on a limited, short-term basis because of side effects including hypotension (low blood pressure) and sedation.
• Naltrexone: This drug is used to counteract the opiate effects of heroin in the body. Specifically, this drug will block the pleasure effects of the opiates in the brain, therefore making the taking of heroin non-effective. It has been used successfully used by corrections facilities for the release of addicted individuals on probation.
• Other drugs: There are several other drugs, such as lofexidine and naloxone, that are used as anecdotes to heroin overdoses but they aren’t generally used on teens. These drugs act as antagonists against the effects of heroin, much like Naltrexone.

Once the teen has completed the detox phase of the recovery, they will enter the treatment phase. Detox alone is not a treatment, rather part of much larger process. Without bona-fide treatment after detox, the likelihood that the teen will seek out and use heroin in the near future is significant. It is also dangerous, as their body’s tolerance may have diminished while detoxifying. If the teen uses the same amount of heroin as they had used previously, they may find themselves in an overdose situation.

There are several options for teen heroin rehab when it comes to the treatment phase.

• Private outpatient therapy
• Intensive outpatient therapy
• Inpatient medical rehab facilities

The type of treatment that is right for one teen may not be ideal for another. There are also several other deciding factors, outside of personality and responsiveness issues that may be involved, such as financing, insurance coverage and benefits, and family obligations.

Choosing the Right Type of Treatment Facility for Your Teen

Private outpatient care consists of personal, individual mental health sessions with a licensed professional psychologist or psychiatrist. Traditional therapy of this nature can help with many issues; however, it is often years before significant changes are noticed or achieved.

Intensive outpatient therapy is a specialized recovery program conducted several nights or mornings per week where the individual participants can experience private sessions, group sessions and other activities designed to help them recover from their heroin addiction. Many of these programs use a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model which is designed to last approximately 16 weeks. The treatment program can be extended, however, after a determination is made between the recovering addict and the medical providers.

When the teen heroin addict requires inpatient care, there are two options: medical or residential treatment. Both services provide the same medical and therapeutic care; however, there are many differences as well.

A medical facility is set up very much like a standard hospital. The rooms are plain and the staff may wear scrubs or other uniforms. The residents may have limited access to other patients in accordance with visiting hours or other regulations. The atmosphere is sterile and very unlike a home environment.

When a teen is enrolled in a residential facility, they feel more at ease and less like a patient. Generally, in a residential facility, the atmosphere is homier, with living areas for relaxation, manicured lawns for socializing out of doors, and comfortable rooms for private reflection. While the residents will still need to abide by the ‘house rules’ when it comes to schedules and meeting times, there is more encouragement and importance placed on developing healthy relationships.

Both medical and residential inpatient programs have been proven most effective when the inpatient stay is at least three to six months in length.

Ultimately, the decision of which type of treatment center is right for an individual suffering from heroin addiction should be made with input from the addict, the parents and the health care providers.

Alternative Therapies

Many residential treatment centers have incorporated alternative therapies into their diagnostic and treatment models. These therapies are designed to use new and innovative ways to teach problem-solving skills as well as to provide alternatives to medication for the control of withdrawal symptoms.

Some of these alternative therapies may include:

• Reiki
• Meditation
• Exercise, including yoga or martial arts
• Equine therapy (the use of horses in treatment)
• Acupuncture or acupressure techniques

The Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Branch of the National Institute on Drug Abuse has indicated that they support the development and refinement of alternative therapies for use in drug abuse intervention and treatment programs.

After Rehab

Once the bulk of the treatment has been completed, whether in a residential facility or an outpatient setting, the teen will enter the recovery or maintenance phase of their treatment. This part of the treatment program will remain in place for the rest of their lives.

In the first weeks or months of recovery, the teen may experience more intensive cravings which can be controlled with medication if needed. They will apply what they have learned in their therapy program to their daily lives. This is a very important phase of recovery that should be monitored closely by parents, school administrators and teachers, as well as any other adult in a position of authority. It is in these first weeks that relapse is the most possible, so helping your child make good decisions and offering love and support to them can contribute greatly to their success.

Eventually, the heroin addict will find that they are faced with temptation less frequently. In the case of a teen addict, their brains will continue to grow and mature, giving them even more insight into the decisions they choose to make for themselves, their family and their futures.

Insurance to Offset Rehab Costs

One of the main deciding factors concerning what kind of treatment to seek for your teen is the structure and benefits associated with an insurance plan. Many insurance plans are now including drug rehab as part of the regular benefits because they understand the long-term negative health effects of drug use. These effects can lead to many covered health conditions later that the insurance program would then be liable to pay for. They would prefer, in many cases, to provide benefits to their members focused upon maintaining health. If you need specific answers about what coverage your plan may offer, contact your insurance provider and ask them the following questions:

• What coverage is available for drug rehab?
• Will my plan cover inpatient rehab at a residential facility?
• Does my child need to participate in an outpatient program before enrolling in a residential facility?
• Will my plan cover visits with a private therapist for drug-related issues?
• What percentage of the overall costs of treatment is paid by my plan?
• Is there an additional deductible for drug rehab or mental and nervous conditions?

While insurance coverage can help to mitigate the costs of teen rehab, the final decision should be based as much as possible on the best recourse for the afflicted child.

Rehab for a teen is a family endeavor that can have lasting positive effects on the parents as well as the teen addict. It is the most effective way to ensure that your child can overcome the obstacles they face and live a full, meaningful life.