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Adolescents have a lot to deal with --a fast-paced family lifestyle,
school, peer pressure, conflicting emotions and often a sense of isolation. To
cope, some adolescents turn to drugs or alcohol. Adolescents involved with drugs
or alcohol are often having difficulty with school and are experiencing high
levels of conflict and tension within the family and in other personal
relationships.
Admitting that you, or someone you care about, has a substance abuse problem
isn't easy. How do you know when drinking or drugs have gotten out of hand? The
answer varies, but generally, if drinking or drug use interferes with family and
social life, work, health, emotional stability and/or spiritual life -- chemical
dependency is a problem.
Chemical dependency affects adolescents from all walks of life. And
tragically, it impacts the family and friends of each dependent person.
Chemical dependency is a disease that can not be helped by will power alone
-- it must be treated. If chemical dependency is not treated, it becomes
progressively worse and can be fatal.
The Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center's (ADRC) Adolescent Treatment Program
can help adolescents whose use of drugs and/or alcohol:
- Is interfering with school or relationships with others; and/or
- Is resulting in problems with the legal system; and/or
- Represents a danger to oneself or others
The ADRC offers the highest quality treatment and care coordination for
people who have or may be developing an alcohol and/or drug dependency problem.
How we can help
The Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center, a center of excellence at the
Cleveland Clinic, provides a multi-disciplinary team approach to the evaluation
and treatment of substance abuse.
Our chemical dependency team of professionals can assess the extent of the
adolescent's chemical dependency problem and develop a treatment plan to meet
the individual's special needs as well as the needs of the family.
Assessment: The first step to successful recovery begins with a
comprehensive assessment of the adolescent. The ADRC's multidisciplinary team
performs a thorough medical, psychological and laboratory assessment to
determine the appropriate level of care.
With appropriate assessment and
treatment, the ADRC can help adolescents develop strategies to maintain
chemical-free lifestyles.
Treatment alternatives
The ADRC and the Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry offers a
full spectrum of treatment options, specialized according to the patient's
personal needs. Parents and other family members are an integral part of the
treatment process.
Group Counseling for At-Risk Teens
Many times, the ADRC At-Risk Group is recommended, which helps
adolescents understand the dangers in using alcohol and/or drugs and develop
healthy coping methods.
Separate weekly groups are available for male and female adolescents who are
experiencing consequences from their use/abuse of alcohol or drugs. Both groups
include weekly supervised urine toxicology screenings.
ADRC counselors work closely with family members and school personnel to
assure effective collaboration and support.
Inpatient Residential Referral
Upon completion of the assessment, the ADRC staff may determine the
patient would clearly benefit by entering a residential facility. The ADRC staff
works with selected residential centers throughout the country to provide the
best total care available.
About the treatment team
Our specialists are committed to providing comprehensive care in a
compassionate setting.
The supervising child psychiatrist works closely with an interdisciplinary
team of child and adolescent psychologists, psychiatric nurses, clinical social
workers, special education teachers and occupational therapists. The team
assesses patient needs and develops a specific, individualized treatment plan
for each child or teen.
Subspecialty pediatricians, including neurologists, endocrinologists,
gastroenterologists and intensivists, are available 24 hours a day for
consultation from the Cleveland Clinic's Division of Pediatric and Adolescent
Medicine.
Financial counselors are available to help with questions about insurance
coverage. In addition, our social services department can provide referrals to
community resources.
Because the Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is located on the main
campus of the Cleveland Clinic, patients benefit from the Clinic's group
practice approach to care, with more than 750 physicians in 100 specialties and
subspecialties available for consultation as needed. Sophisticated laboratory
and testing facilities are also available.
Affiliations and community outreach
The Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of
Psychiatry and Psychology at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation is proud to work
closely with the Positive Education Program (PEP), Metro Health Medical Center,
Beech Brook, New Directions, Shaker Youth and Family Counseling and Cleveland
Health Network.
Together, these institutions offer a full range of child and adolescent
mental health and substance abuse services to its clients and their families.
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