Unfortunately, due to lack of maturity and an impulsive nature, many people start experimenting in the adolescent years. According to Johnston, O’Malley, & Schulenberg (as cited in National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2014), “by the time they are seniors, almost 70 percent of high school students will have tried alcohol, half will have taken an illegal drug, nearly 40 percent will have smoked a cigarette, and more than 20 percent will have used a prescription drug for a nonmedical purpose” (p. 8). The pubescence years are a time of significant physical, psychological, social, emotional, and intellectual development. Drug use during this period can increase the risk for problems with knowledge, attention, memory, judgment, and behavior, as well According to Ylvisaker, Feeney & Hibbard (2007), CM is based on the principle that behavior is a function of consequences. It is the belief that following this conditioning model, the adolescent’s drug habit will diminish when tangible incentives are given for abstinence from their drug use. Contingency management can be offered in a variety of locations and parents can be taught these methods to implement at “There are a variety of family therapy approaches… including structural family approaches, multifamily therapy, and behavioral approaches” (Buckstein, 2004, p. 168). Family therapy should not involve only parents of the adolescent, but any siblings, as well. According to NIH (2014), family counseling is more effective than group or individual therapy. According to U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2009), family behavior therapy has exhibited positive results for both adolescents and adults; this approach has similar components of contingency management except therapy is completed with a family member rather than individually that will select precise interventions from a list of treatment options. The therapy teaches new skills to decrease urges to use drugs, communication skills, and skills associated with getting a job or attending school in a normal social setting that does not include substance
Quinn, W. H., & van Dyke, D. J. (2004). A multiple family group intervention for first-time juvenile
Copello, A., Velleman, R., & Templeton, L. (2005). Family interventions in the treatment of alcohol and drug problems. Drug & Alcohol Review, 24(4), 369-385. doi:10.1080/09595230500302356
The Solution Focused Therapy approach concentrates on working with the individual to determine a problem and then determine solutions to the problem (Content Guide 3, n.d.). Essential aspects of Solution Based Therapy include: introducing new perspectives, grasping the adolescents point of view, identifying one’s strengths, and holding the adolescent accountable by having them explain their exceptions and feelings (Content Guide 3, n.d.). The various techniques utilized in Solution Based Therapy consist of: clearly defining the problem and stating measurable solutions, asking open-ended questions, exploring actions that “make a difference”, addressing the importance of change, giving feedback, complimenting, giving the adolescent “homework” exercises, and lastly tactfully using supportive and respectful language towards the individual (Content Guide 3, n.d.). The strengths of Solution Based Therapy include working with the adolescent to recognize smaller problems that lead up to their overall problem of substance abuse (Content Guide 3, n.d.). This is because many adolescents do not think nor view their substance use as an actual issue (Content Guide 3, n.d.). Limitations/ weakness of Solution Based Therapy include an individual being reluctant to define any problems that they think are contributing to their substance abuse, therefore potential solutions can not be identified, and this is the
Most treatment programs will work with the family once a client has achieved some level of abstinence. When the client enters treatment, some treatment providers usually refer family members, including children, to a separate treatment program or to self help groups. These educational support groups can provide an age appropriate understanding about addiction as well as opportunities for members to discuss their experiences and learn an assortment of coping skills, few treatment programs provide such groups. School-age children can also be referred to student assistance programs at their schools.
Equally important, therapy for parents with children who abuse drugs, participate in treatment interventions in a therapeutic setting with the Family Therapy Model, using Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT. The main goal of CBT is to improve family relationships by promoting sobriety and correcting the erratic or destructive behaviors/patterns, which aid in a person’s addiction. The goal is to educate family members about triggers, in the event of a relapse or erratic behaviors that resurface. In the event, families can resolve conflict in a positive way and recognize future erratic behaviors, before it's too late. Nevertheless, the Strategic family therapy is the best option, for Ryan and his family because of the relationship and separation
Drug and alcohol abuse has become a worldwide epidemic within today’s society. The battle against drugs and alcohol is not going to diminish. Therefore, we as a society need to work together to address these problems while incorporating successful treatment plans and services for these individuals. The addiction to these substances does not only effect oneself, but can also have profound consequences for the children and families. When children are involved in a family structure that abuses alcohol or drugs an array of dysfunction becomes evident. Children might be subjected to child maltreatment, child abuse, physical/sexual abuse, or neglect, among many other inappropriate parenting practices.
Nichols, M. P. (2010). Family therapy concepts and methods (9 ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
As a social worker it is often complex to determine which theory to employ in practice, each client will warrant for an in-debt assessment of the presenting problem and goals the client desires to achieve. This paper will explore one family intervention model that can be applied to the Taylor family. The two theories analyzed are Cognitive Behavioral Family Theory, (CBFT) and Structural Family Theory (SFT); both theories can be utilized when assisting individuals or families. The social worker will focus on the Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy model when applying treatment and interventions to the Taylor family case.
...y therapy in the treatment of alcohol-related problems: A review of behavioural family therapy, family systems theraphy and treatment matching research. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, (17)3, 13-23.
The use of drugs and mind-alternating substances has been a part of society for decades. The ‘high’ that people attain from the use of such substances is very attractive and exciting however, the effects of this use are minimized. Particularly for youth, a group of individuals who are seeking independence and experimentation, drug use represents the balance between taking risks and taking responsibility for one’s actions. However, the developmental processes of adolescents are known to not encompass the maturity required to fully think through such decisions. As such, the use of a ‘smaller-scale’ drug like marijuana is even more minimized. The purpose of this paper is to discuss what the risks of using marijuana are for youths, why they are the most affected, how this problem has progressed over the last three decades, and what preventative measures and treatment options are in place. It will also discuss what schools, parents, and government agencies could be doing to help improve the issue, and the impact that this issue is having on society.
A teenager is likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol, especially during high school. Some teenagers try it and do not like it, others love it. This love for drugs and alcohol becomes a regular activity, and then a teen may become dependent on the drug or drink, and can progress to addiction. These stages of substance abuse affect one's relationships, health and ambitions.
Adolescences in particular can be easily influenced to abusing a drug or multiple drugs. I believe this happens because teens often lack education, live in an environment where drugs are readily available, are peer-pressured and the lack of proper growth of the frontal lobe. Many factors contribute to adolescences experimenting with drugs. As side from being a child, the adolescence stage is of great importance. Healthy habits and activities are supposed to be instilled within this stage of life. The adolescence stage can be very perplexing and what is made into a habit then is easily carried on into adulthood. Our genes act together with our environment to contribute to the addictive behaviors we are motivated to develop. If addiction is left untreated it can ultimately lead to de...
After interviewing my teenage cousin whom has been in several altercations at home and school, enlightened me on the ways that teenagers in her age group gets involved in drug use. Kids start as young as ten years of age using, selling, and experimenting with drugs. My teenage cousin was expelled from public schools when she started experimenting with drugs. She was surrounded by many challenges when she enrolled in the alternative behavioral school. Many students, whom attend the alternative behavioral school use drugs, sell drugs, are on probation, have been arrested, engage in sexual activity and drink alcohol.
Youth delinquent behaviors have been a consistent problem facing families in the recent decades. These behaviors cause tension within family systems and often result in serious consequences not only for the youth exhibiting behaviors, but also for the entirety of the youth’s family. Recent research has provided several different effective treatment and prevention techniques for youth delinquency. Multisystemic therapy, a therapy focusing on the importance of external factors as cause for youth delinquent behaviors has become among the leading intervention strategies for delinquency in the United States. Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an effective treatment for youth delinquency, because it has proven long-term success, is attempting to incorporate
Few people deny the dangers of drug use, while many teens are curious about drugs. They should stay away from drugs because drugs affect our health, lead to academic failure, and jeopardizes safety. Drugs are used from a long period of time in many countries. The concentration of drugs has increased from late 1960’s and 1970’s. Drugs can quickly takeover our lives. Friends and acquaintance have the greatest influence of using drugs during adolescence.