Treatment of substance addiction in children and young people; This problem is not a new problem in our country and in the world. The reason for addiction is the perceptions imposed by industrialization, modernization and urbanization.
These perceptions have not always yielded the expected results or, even if they have yielded the desired results, they have isolated the individual.
While the number of problems that the individual has to cope with increases during thetreatment of substance abuse in children and young people , it has led to the formation of individuals who try to provide support and balance with substances that reduce their coping skills and whose solution is not healthy in this situation.
Substance abuse is initially used to reduce the internal distress and anxiety caused by problems. However, after a very short time, it becomes more important than all other problems combined.
There are three main approachesto the treatment of substance abuse in children and young people. These are;
- Interventions are made for the patient's withdrawal symptoms, physical and mental problems. During this period, the patient and his/her relatives are educated about the problem.
- The necessary knowledge and skills are developed to enable the patient to lead a sober life.
Psychotherapeutic approaches and drug treatments are utilized to prevent relapse.
The most prominent reason for startingsubstance abuse treatment in children and young people is "curiosity".
In the treatment of substance abuse in children and adolescents,regardless of the reason for initiation, initiation of substance abuse may lead to increased substance use and other criminal offenses.
In the treatment of substance abuse in children and young people,trying alcohol or other substances generally increases with age between the ages of 12-18.
TREATMENT METHODS APPLIED IN OUR CENTER
Substance abuse treatment in children and adolescents includes two treatment models: medication and non-medication.
Increasing the motivation to endsubstance addiction, teaching coping skills, increasing life support, increasing interpersonal functionality are the most commonly used basic strategies.
Mental illnesses have an important place in the results of studies investigating the conditions that may be at riskin the treatment of substance abuse in children and youth.
Psychiatric diseases also develop during thetreatment of substance abuse in children and adolescents . These include
- Low self-worth,
- Depression
- ADHD,
- Anxiety disorders,
- Physical-sexual and emotional abuse are at the forefront.
Ways to Prevent Substance Abuse in Children and Youth
Families should be aware of the fact that adolescence and youth is a sensitive period that is particularly vulnerable to being influenced by peer behavior, and should encourage young people to strengthen their personal development and individual abilities, and increase their resistance to negative pressures from their peers.
What families should do during the treatment of substance abuse in children and young people to prevent substance abuse in the addicted person;
- Raising children with love and affection,
- Consistent and fair discipline,
- Give her the opportunity to express her thoughts and feelings,
- A stable family atmosphere,
- Monitoring their circle of friends closely,
- To provide hobbies such as sports, literature, working in voluntary organizations.
The aim in the treatment of substance abuse in children and young people, which is an important public health problem;
- To ensure that no substance use is initiated,
- Improving health and quality of life,
- To make the young person proud of themselves for not using substances,
- To treat and rehabilitate substance abusers so that they become individuals responsible for their health.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the rate of substance abuse treatment for children and young people in all European countries. In our country, the rates of substance abuse are low compared to many countries.
According to studies conducted among young people in our country;
- More than half of them have smoking experience,
- Tobacco use at least once in a lifetime,
- Lifetime alcohol use at least once 35-45
- Cannabis use 4%,
- Volatile substance use 4%,
- Ecstasy use is given as 2-2.5%.
Reducing the stress caused by biological and social changes, peer pressure and the desire to belong to a group are other important reasons for starting substance use.
Adolescence and youth is a period of biological, cognitive and social changes.
Substance abuse in children and youth has a wide spectrum extending into old age.
In general, screening studies have mainly targeted the adolescent population at high risk of developing problematic alcohol or substance use. These groups of adolescents are often absent from school, have depression or disruptive behavior, run away from home, and frequent bars, pubs and discos.
Children of parents with alcohol dependence are considered to be at high risk because alcohol dependence is a complex genetic disorder.
Children of alcohol addicts have higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), depression and anxiety disorders compared to the control group.
Studies in children of alcohol addicts who were raised separately from their families have found 25% alcohol dependence in these children
Conditions affecting addiction rates in children and young people;
- Being suspended from school or receiving a school certificate,
- Truancy
- Involvement in crime
- Running away from home,
- Having a sibling who abuses substances.
Young people who go out at night, especially for music parties, and do not return home until late hours are risky groups for substance abuse treatment in children and young people.
It is quite usual for children and young people whose friends abuse substances to be at high risk during substance abuse treatment.
Symptoms of Substance Abuse in Children and Adolescents
- Sleep and drowsiness,
- Spiritual changes,
- Memory loss, hallucinations,
- Lack of interest in hobbies,
- Don't stay up too late,
- Decline in school achievement,
- Don't lie,
- Theft
- Cryptic and secretive conversations.
- Quick anger,
- Rebelliousness,
- Introversion
The underlying causes of the above symptoms should be investigated. Reacting abruptly to a person with symptoms may lead to a loss of trust in parents.