Teen co-occurring disorders are when mental health and addiction occur at the same time. If you are observing a substance use disorder and worry that mental health challenges may be at the root of your teenager’s abuse of drugs and alcohol, a teen co-occurring disorder treatment program can help. Do not hesitate to reach out to our compassionate medical professionals online or by calling us at 888.291.2309 today to discuss how our co-occurring disorder treatment program can help your teen.
The Most Common Co-Occurring Disorders
Teens with a mental health disorder are at a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder. They might try to self-medicate to survive at school, work, and home and to ensure no one sees them suffering. In order to get clean, sober, and on a path toward a complete recovery, both the teen’s mental health and addiction issues must be treated.
From grief and loss to anger and low self-esteem, there are countless emotions experienced in the teen years that have the potential to lead to teen co-occurring disorders. It’s essential to know what to look for and understand your options for teen co-occurring disorder treatment. The most commonly diagnosed mental health issues that go hand-in-hand with addiction are:
Anxiety Disorder
Teens who experience frequent and recurring anxiety, panic attacks, sleep issues, and restlessness are most commonly diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder. A teen may struggle to live with this level of intense anxiety, potentially turning to drugs, alcohol, and prescription medications to cope with the pain and negative thoughts from their anxiety. Teen co-occurring disorders when battling an anxiety disorder are common because young people will try anything to function socially at school and with friends.
Eating Disorder
Anorexia and bulimia are common disorders suffered during the teen years and they require teen co-occurring disorder treatment. If your teen has an unhealthy relationship with food or body dysmorphic issues and develops an eating disorder, they may turn to stimulants, diet pills, and even alcohol as a way of suppressing their appetite. Self-medicating may increase their confidence in social situations in the short term, but co-occurring disorders will only deepen their struggles.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
This mental health disorder is identified by impulsive behavior, a lack of focus, and hyperactivity. It’s usually kids and teens who are diagnosed with ADHD and even though they are young, teen co-occurring disorders can emerge. A teen co-occurring disorder treatment can help to address a teenager’s abuse of prescription medications, alcohol, or other drugs as a way of self-medicating to minimize the symptoms of ADHD and continue to function socially.
Bipolar Disorder
Teens suffering from bipolar disorder are susceptible to a co-occurring addiction to alcohol and drugs. However, substances will only worsen their symptoms. A teen co-occurring disorder treatment will address your adolescent’s multiple issues with the goal of fostering a lifetime of recovery.
Treating Teen Co-Occurring Disorders
The treatment plan for your teen and their co-occurring disorders will be tailored to their specific needs and life experiences. There are, however, common methods of treating mental health and addiction. Our trained, caring medical team will treat the mental health disorders causing their addiction and provide your teen with a sustainable plan to eliminate alcohol or drug abuse for good. The following may be used in a teen co-occurring disorder treatment:
- Detox
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Intensive outpatient program
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Group therapy
- Holistic treatments
- Life skills training
- Aftercare
Learn More at Imagine Fort Collins
If your teen is facing a mental health concern and an addiction at the same time, learn how the teen co-occurring disorder treatment at Imagine Fort Collins can help them to start rebuilding their life. Contact us using our secure online form or call us confidentially at 888.291.2309 today.