This article covers the following:
- Teen residential treatment centers for adolescent marijuana use, including their benefits, levels, admission process, what to expect, and the included programs
- Treatment options used in adolescent marijuana treatment centers
- Medication-assisted treatment for adolescent marijuana addiction
- Addressing co-occurring mental health disorders in adolescent marijuana treatment centers
- How to choose the right treatment center
- Life after marijuana addiction treatment
Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs by teenagers. Even though it has a potential calming effect, it can cause serious health consequences with regular heavy usage, such as impaired cognitive function, increased risk of mental health conditions, and lacking motivation. It’s recommended to seek help from qualified residential treatment centers for teens such as Key Healthcare if your teenager is struggling with marijuana addiction. Such facilities offer comprehensive care and support for successful teen substance abuse treatment. Let’s learn how you can help a teenager addicted to marijuana overcome their addictions through these centers.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana is obtained from the buds and leaves of the cannabis plant. It can be eaten raw, smoked, or consumed in baked goods for recreational purposes. Additionally, it can be taken as a daily supplement for medicinal purposes. Most teenagers use it recreationally because of its pleasurable, relaxed, and calm effects, which may lead to addiction and certain bodily and health consequences.
What is Teen Marijuana Addiction?
Teen marijuana addiction can be defined as compulsive marijuana use by teenagers despite serious psychological, physical, or behavioral effects. Teenagers addicted to marijuana frequently use or depend on it despite the side effects. Their bodies become more tolerant to the drug with repeated use, making them seek its calming, pleasurable, and relaxing effects constantly. Note that the severity and consequences of marijuana addiction differ depending on the particular individual, the frequency of marijuana usage, and the dosage.
Signs of Marijuana Use in Adolescents
Do you suspect that your teenager uses marijuana but can’t prove it? Here are a few signs of marijuana use in teens:
Cognitive Signs and Symptoms
Most teenagers who use marijuana have low reaction times, poor coordination, short-term memory loss, distorted perception, and learning difficulties. They may also have trouble cogitating and solving problems.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of marijuana use in teenagers include intense hunger, constant exhaustion, irregular heartbeat, red eyes, a dry mouth due to decreased saliva production, and sinus/respiratory infections.
Behavioral Symptoms
Teenagers addicted to marijuana may show the following behavioral symptoms: frequent mood swings, violent acts,poor/ reduced social interaction, hanging out with the wrong crowds, and theft (to finance their marijuana use/addiction).
Psychological Symptoms
The following psychological symptoms may result from marijuana use: unrealistic fears due to addiction, anxiety, depression, identity crisis, amnesia, and dissociation.
Risk Factors, Causes, and Effects of Marijuana Use in Adolescents
A study on the early risk factors of daily cannabis use among teenagers discovered that young adults are likely to use marijuana because of the following reasons:
- Extreme levels of family and general stress
- Use of other drugs such as alcohol and tobacco products, e.g., cigarettes
- Higher impulsivity
- A novelty-seeking personality
- Low self esteem in Teens
- Higher body mass index
Common causes of marijuana use among teenagers include peer pressure, curiosity, and a desire to fit in with friends. Some also use it to cope with anxiety or depression.
Effects of Marijuana Addiction
The effects of marijuana on teens can be both short-term and long-term. Short-term effects include effects on memory, thinking, coordination, and concentration. Long-term effects include changes in brain functioning, career issues, decreased sperm count in males, deferred ovulation in females, poor immune system, and giving birth to babies with developmental problems.
Understanding Addiction and Dependency on Marijuana in Adolescents
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a human’s brain develops fully in the mid to late twenties. The part of the brain that pushes us to seek pleasure, thrills, adventures, and rewards develops faster than the prefrontal cortex responsible for prioritizing, planning, and good decision-making, making teenagers more vulnerable to drug use, abuse, and addiction.
Diagnosing Adolescent Marijuana Abuse
Assessment and Screening Tools
Mental health professionals mostly use the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) to screen a cannabis problem in individuals. It checks for the frequency of the following six behaviors/events:
- Smoking alone
- Unsuccessful attempts to quit
- Smoking before midday
- Problems linked to cannabis use, e.g., fights or accidents
- Being encouraged to stop/reduce cannabis use
- Memory disorders
Other professionals also use standardized questions premised on patient self-reporting to identify cannabis use disorders. Such questionnaires are simpler and more reliable.
Diagnostic Criteria for Adolescent Marijuana Abuse
There are two main criteria for marijuana abuse that can be used on teenagers, i.e., DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Here are in-depth explanations:
DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criterion
This criterion defines cannabis abuse as a maladaptive substance use pattern that leads to major clinical distress or impairment signified by at least one of the below-mentioned symptoms within a year:
- Recurrent cannabis use in physically hazardous situations
- Recurrent legal problems from cannabis use
- Recurrent cannabis use causes a lack of fulfillment in a major home, school, or work obligation.
- Continuous cannabis usage despite persistent/ recurrent social/interpersonal problems due to aggravated cannabis effects.
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criterion
This DSM-5 diagnostic criterion is used to diagnose cannabis use disorder, defined as a problematic cannabis use pattern resulting in major clinical distress or impairment as signified by at least a couple of the following symptoms within 12 months:
- Taking cannabis in large amounts for a longer period than intended
- Recurrent cannabis use in physically hazardous situations
- A strong craving/desire to use cannabis
- Persistent desire/unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control cannabis usage
- Recurrent cannabis use leading to failure to fulfill a school, work, or home obligation
- Continued cannabis usage despite knowing that it possibly causes or aggravates a persistent or recurrent psychological or physical problem.
- Spending lots of time in activities aimed at using cannabis, obtaining it, or recovering from its effects
- Recurrent cannabis use despite certain social or interpersonal problems caused or aggravated by it.
- Giving up or reducing certain vital social, occupational, and recreational activities due to cannabis usage
- Increased tolerance signified by reduced effect with continued usage of a similar amount of cannabis or a need for increased cannabis amounts to achieve intoxication or a certain effect
- Withdrawals signified by the characteristic withdrawal symptoms of cannabis use or taking cannabis or a closely related drug to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
Note that 2-3 symptoms show a mild cannabis use disorder while 4-5 symptoms signify a moderate disorder. A severe disorder diagnosis is made when 6 or more of the above symptoms are present.
Teen Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
A teen residential treatment center is a facility that provides comprehensive long-term mental healthcare for teenagers (mostly 45-60 days) to help them reach their full potential and live healthy, productive lives. It is meant for teenagers with serious mental health and substance abuse issues that cannot be best treated at home or in outpatient settings.
Benefits of Teen Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
Here are a few reasons to consider residential treatment for adolescent marijuana abuse:
- It prevents teenagers from outside distractions, which significantly helps in recovery
- Teenagers can directly and constantly access mental health professionals
- Teen residential treatment centers have residential drug treatment programs that help manage withdrawal symptoms
- Teenagers can detox safely while in these centers
- They offer 24/7 monitoring of teenagers with substance use disorders
Programs in Teen Residential Treatment Centers for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
We also have other programs in our Key Healthcare facilities for different severity cases. They include:
- Partial Hospitalization Program
The adolescent partial hospitalization program is available for those who are less likely to harm themselves or others but still need more specialized care and support. They can make their independent living arrangements during the entire treatment duration. Such teenagers are taught to deal with family issues, better control their thoughts, love and appreciate their families and ignite meaningful passions. They also learn to think long-term and cope with temptations.
- Intensive Outpatient Program
Even though the teen IOP or Intensive Outpatient Program offers intense care to teenagers dealing with addiction and mental health challenges, it is less restrictive. Teens get to live at home, participate in other activities and attend school, unlike in other programs where they spend most of their time in the treatment center.
- Extended Care
Our teen extended care program helps teenagers build skills and obtain support for successful recovery. They spend the night in teen sober living facilities after attending mental health and dual-diagnosis addiction treatment during the day. Most patients enroll for this program at the end of their residential treatment. Some of the things teenagers can expect in our extended care program include daily meals, recreational activities, daily meals, life skills groups, outpatient therapy, daily fitness, 12-step meetings, and outpatient therapy.
Level of Residential Treatment Centers
Here are a few levels of teen marijuana addiction treatment at specialized residential facilities:
- Low-Intensity, Short-Term Treatment
Low-intensity, short-term treatment is normally known as Level 1. It provides teenagers in need of mental and behavioral stabilization with the right routine, structure, and therapy options, such as teen individual therapy and teen group therapy.
- Increased Security and Longer-Term Treatment
This second level offers a relatively longer treatment and more intensive group and individual therapies. It caters for teenagers with serious behavioral issues and substance use disorders. Examples include attachment disorder treatment, eating disorder treatment, and high-intensity therapeutic boarding schools.
- Long-Term Treatment with 24/7 Security
This type of treatment ensures 24/7 care and support, a smaller staff-to-client ratio, and night-time supervision. It is meant for teens exhibiting self-harm tendencies or out-of-control behaviors. It prioritizes individual counseling and helps teenagers deal with conflict, anger, and antisocial tendencies. Examples of facilities that provide this type of treatment include behavioral treatment centers, drug and detox from alcohol treatment centers, and mental health treatment centers for suicidal teens.
- High-Intensity, Immersive Mental and Behavioral Treatment
This fourth residential treatment tier prioritizes individual therapy and offers high levels of security and supervision. Trained professionals work with teenagers who are dangerous to themselves and others to modify their self-destructive thoughts or behaviors.
Treatment Options Used in Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is commonly known as CBT. It is a psychotherapy option trained professionals administer to help teenagers change their thoughts and behaviors. The benefits of this treatment option include emotion regulation, negative behavior reduction, problem-solving, and relationship building. Activities and techniques used to administer cognitive behavioral therapy include journaling, behavioral experiments, cognitive restructuring, guided discovery, problem-solving, and stress and relaxation management.
Contingency Management
Contingency management is a therapeutic management approach used in teen marijuana use disorder treatment. It requires the frequent monitoring of a given behavior and the provision or removal of tangible, positive rewards depending on its occurrence.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Motivational enhancement therapy is a systematic intervention that produces fast, internally motivated change. Instead of trying to treat an individual, it mobilizes their internal resources for change and treatment engagement.
Detoxification Process
One of the most-used marijuana dependence treatment methods is detoxification, commonly known as detox. To prevent full relapse, people addicted to marijuana are generally advised to taper the amount of their daily intake. Coping strategies should be implemented to counter the physical or psychological cravings arising from this treatment method.
Individual and Group Therapy
Individual therapy is a type of treatment method involving one-on-one meetings with a therapist that can last up to an hour. During the sessions, the therapist works with the teenager to identify any underlying causes of their issues and help them understand their thought patterns and feelings. Our facility offers at least one weekly individual therapy session for teenagers with a marijuana use disorder.
On the other hand, group therapy for teens is administered to groups of adolescents facing similar issues. It offers adolescents a safe and supportive space to cope with their issues, become more resilient and boost their self-awareness. Teenagers also learn important skills such as communication and problem-solving.
Alternative Options for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
Additional options offered at Key Healthcare to help your teenager overcome their marijuana addiction or use disorder include:
Family Therapy
Teen family therapy is administered to families to help them understand and resolve underlying problems. It allows teenagers and their family members to explore issues, develop healthier relationships, and learn new communication strategies. This family-centered treatment approach also allows the entire family to contribute to their child’s health and well-being.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy for teens, popularly known as ACT, teaches teenagers with a marijuana use disorder that their thoughts and feelings do not control their behavior and that they are at liberty to choose how to act even in the face of uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. As the name suggests, they learn to accept what they cannot change and commit to acting on things under their control.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Adolescent Marijuana Addiction
Medication-assisted treatment is one of the most common treatment options for substance use disorders. In this treatment, doctors combine medication and other counseling or therapeutic techniques to achieve a whole-patient treatment approach. Common types of medication used in medication-assisted treatment for marijuana addiction include Dronabinol, an oral synthetic THC; nabiximols (a cannabis mucosal spray that treats withdrawal); gabapentin ( helps with anxiety) and zolpidem (reduces sleep disturbance). Such medications help reduce the severity of symptoms or lessen their duration for safe detoxing and reduced chances of relapse.
Even though some doctors and mental health professionals argue that certain types of addictions can only be overcome with the help of medications, others believe that medication-assisted treatment poses some risks as patients still get to use potentially addictive drugs, only that they are legal. All in all, studies have shown decreased substance abuse (including symptoms) and better mental and physical health in just 6 months in certain medication-assisted treatment cases.
The Role of Family in Adolescent Marijuana Addiction Treatment
Family involvement can positively affect treatment outcomes by lowering family-suppressed emotions and addressing treatment adherence barriers, giving teenagers in recovery a more supportive and less stressful home environment. At Key Healthcare, we offer family therapy sessions as part of our youth marijuana recovery programs to help teenagers and their family members discover and address underlying problems. Benefits of this type of therapy include improved family relationships and communication, healthier boundaries development, clarified family roles, increased empathy, and improved conflict resolution skills.
Importance of Family Support During and After Treatment
- Teenagers with strong family support are more likely to stay in recovery.
- It helps prevent cases of relapse.
- It offers teenagers a more supportive and less stressful recovery environment.
- It makes teenagers more interested in turning their lives around.
What to Expect in an Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
Here is what to expect at a residential treatment facility:
- Daily Schedule and Routine
Once teens wake up in the morning, they exercise, attend to their hygiene, have breakfast, then embark on different activities such as art/surf therapy, school, and process groups before breaking for lunch. Afterward, they continue with school and/or therapy sessions/ group activities before breaking for games/ exercises and dinner/chores. They may then have evening group talks, attend 12-step meetings, practice mindful activities, and have a snack before bed preparation. Everybody is expected to sleep once the lights go out. However, note that weekends are normally different as they mostly exercise, do chores, watch movies, and engage in mindful activities.
- Rules and Expectations
Teens are not allowed to bring weapons, outside food items, drinks or snacks, certain valuables (such as large amounts of cash), alcoholic mouthwash or products, revealing or provocative clothing and matches, candles and lighters. Additionally, everybody is expected to adhere to the daily schedule or routine.
- Education and Tutoring
We offer academic support to teenagers in our facilities to help them stay on top of their schoolwork. We have Mission Academy School, which offers curriculum and credit recovery programs as well as an experienced staff to help your child succeed in their studies.
- Recreation and Leisure Activities
Examples of recreation and leisure activities in our facilities include yoga, hiking, music production, art therapy, and surfing, to mention a few.
- Nutritional Support and Meal Plans
We offer daily healthy meals and snacks to ensure that all our patients are in the right mental and physical state.
Admission Process to a Teen Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
To admit your teenager to a Key Healthcare facility, you will first fill out an in-depth assessment about your child, after which we will invite you to our teen treatment center and give you a tour so that you can learn more about us. After completing your child’s assessment, we will recommend the best program depending on your child’s condition and its severity. Note that we will verify and assess your insurance before you come over to our treatment facility for the in-person tour.
Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders in Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
Co-occurring disorders occur when a person simultaneously has a mental health and substance use disorder. Common co-occurring disorders with marijuana addiction in adolescents include psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety, and personality disorders. It is important to treat both disorders using the right behavioral and pharmacological interventions to explore their shared roots and find full relief from related symptoms.
At Key Healthcare, we offer a dual diagnosis treatment for patients with substance abuse and mental health disorders. We even have an extended care program allowing patients to attend mental health and dual-diagnosis addiction treatment during the day and retire to sober living facilities at night.
Choosing the Right Teen Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
What to Consider When Choosing a Teen Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
The facility should have licensed mental health professionals who can help your teenager fully recover. It should also offer different evidence-based therapy approaches, such as dialectical and cognitive behavior therapy for young adults. You should also settle for a center with an accredited on-site education program so your child doesn’t lose track of their school work. Lastly, pick a center that offers different support programs once treatment is complete.
Questions to Ask When Looking for Teen Residential Treatment Program
- Does the treatment center use evidence-based practices?
- Does the center offer holistic mental health treatment?
- Will you receive family education or support?
- Will your child get a healthy balance or exercise?
- Does the center teach life skills?
Insurance Coverage for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
Residential marijuana treatment for adolescents can be quite costly, especially if your child’s addiction is severe. Therefore, we allow patients, guardians, or caretakers to pay up to 100% of the treatment cost via insurance. Kindly verify here if your rehab insurance Los Angeles covers adolescent marijuana rehab.
Life After Adolescent Marijuana Rehab
Relapse Prevention Strategies
A relapse can be defined as a return to substance use or abuse after a long period of staying clean. Someone who relapses after successful treatment requires additional or a different type of treatment. Common relapse prevention strategies include therapy, skills development, monitoring, and medications.
Aftercare Programs
Teen rehab aftercare programs help to maintain sobriety and achieve their life objectives. At Key Healthcare, we offer tailored, evidence-based teen rehab aftercare program to help teenagers cope with cravings and some of the issues they did not have to deal with while in the treatment center, preventing them from returning to drugs and alcohol after treatment.
Support Groups and Resources
Adolescent support groups should be anonymous, free to join, and open to any teenager wishing to stay free from drugs and substances like marijuana. Here is how teenagers can find such groups:
- Using the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator (SAMSHA)
- Support groups hosted by the rehab facility or teen marijuana abuse treatment center
- Obtaining relevant information from medical and mental health providers
- Checking with community-based centers, local non-profit groups, and community centers committed to strengthening local communities
- Asking school counselors and educators
Withdrawal Symptoms of Marijuana to Look Out For
Withdrawal symptoms of marijuana worth looking out for include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depressed mood
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger/aggression
Other less pronounced symptoms include headaches, chills, sweating, physical tension, and stomach pain.
Tips for Parents Dealing with Teen Marijuana Addiction
- Help them seek treatment and choose a reputable rehab facility
- Communicate regularly with your teenager. Ensure that you talk about recovery goals
- Acknowledge and talk about your teenager’s emotions
- Be supportive
- Set clear rules and terms
- Allow them to re-establish the broken bond of trust
Conclusion
Most teenagers who abuse marijuana believe they can stop whenever they want, which is nowhere near the truth. Adolescent marijuana addiction is a serious dependency that can best be overcome through specialized care and attention. Feel free to contact us if your teenager’s marijuana use gets out of hand. We will offer your child a structured and supportive environment where they will receive comprehensive treatment and acquire important life skills. Let’s help you give your child a happy, healthier, and drug-free future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Adolescent Marijuana Use Cause Mental Health Problems?
Yes. Prolonged marijuana use can increase the risk of adolescent mental health issues, leading to mental health problems such as social anxiety and depression.
How Can Parents Talk to Their Teenagers About Adolescent Marijuana Use?
Parents wishing to talk to their teenagers about marijuana should first conduct extensive research to understand the unique risks of cannabis use for teenagers. Other important tips include:
- Informing the teenager about the talk beforehand
- Keeping the conversation brief and warm
- Asking open-ended questions
- Communicating clear rules and expectations
- Being careful about sharing their own cannabis experiences
Can Adolescent Marijuana Use Lead to Other Substance Abuse?
According to the National Institutes of Health, marijuana use is linked to substance use disorders such as nicotine addiction, meaning that adolescents who abuse marijuana may go on to try tobacco. Other studies have also found that adolescent cannabis use can be a gateway to opioids.
What are the Consequences of Adolescent Marijuana Use on Academics?
Marijuana use has been linked to memory and learning problems, difficulties in problem-solving and thinking, difficulty maintaining attention, and reduced coordination, potentially leading to poor academic performance.
Can My Teenager Relapse After Adolescent Marijuana Treatment?
It is not uncommon for teenagers to relapse after teen marijuana treatment. However, that doesn’t signify that the treatment wasn’t successful but shows the need to use a different or additional treatment approach. To lower the chances of relapse, ensure your teenager has relapse prevention strategies, aftercare programs, support groups, and resources.
What is the Average Length of Stay in a Teen Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Marijuana Rehab?
Depending on the severity of your teenager’s addiction, you should expect them to stay in our rehab facilities for 45-60 days. You can extend this duration by admitting them to our teen extended care program.
What if My Teenager Needs to Attend Adolescent Marijuana Rehab More Than Once?
We have aftercare programs to help your teen maintain long-term recovery, eliminating the need for additional residential treatment. We also have other programs and interventions to help them get back on the right track if they relapse.
Can Marijuana Use During Adolescence Cause Permanent Damage?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular and heavy marijuana use can permanently affect the developing brain.
Can Adolescent Marijuana Rehab Be Done On an Outpatient Basis?
We have an (IOP) intensive outpatient program for teens that can be used on adolescents with mild marijuana use disorder. This program offers a safe and supportive environment that promotes respect, self-awareness, and healthy coping skills.
