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Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
- Mervin White
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1 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
2 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide This publication is in the public domain and may be used or reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated.
3 NIDA wishes to thank the following individuals for their helpful comments during the review of this publication: Tina Burrell, M.A., Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Connie Cahalan, Missouri Department of Mental Health Barbara Cimaglio, Vermont Department of Health Michael L. Dennis, Ph.D., Chestnut Health Systems Rochelle Head-Dunham, M.D., Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Scott W. Henggeler, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina Sharon Levy, M.D., M.P.H., Children s Hospital Boston Kenneth J. Martz, Psy.D., CAS, Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Kathy Paxton, M.S., West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities Paula D. Riggs, M.D., University of Colorado School of Medicine
4 Contents FROM THE DIRECTOR...1 I. INTRODUCTION...2 II. PRINCIPLES OF ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT Adolescent substance use needs to be identified and addressed as soon as possible Adolescents can benefit from a drug abuse intervention even if they are not addicted to a drug Routine annual medical visits are an opportunity to ask adolescents about drug use Legal interventions and sanctions or family pressure may play an important role in getting adolescents to enter, stay in, and complete treatment Substance use disorder treatment should be tailored to the unique needs of the adolescent Treatment should address the needs of the whole person, rather than just focusing on his or her drug use Behavioral therapies are effective in addressing adolescent drug use Families and the community are important aspects of treatment Effectively treating substance use disorders in adolescents requires also identifying and treating any other mental health conditions they may have Sensitive issues such as violence and child abuse or risk of suicide should be identified and addressed It is important to monitor drug use during treatment Staying in treatment for an adequate period of time and continuity of care afterward are important Testing adolescents for sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, as well as hepatitis B and C, is an important part of drug treatment III. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Why do adolescents take drugs? What drugs are most frequently used by adolescents? How do adolescents become addicted to drugs, and which factors increase risk? Is it possible for teens to become addicted to marijuana? Is abuse of prescription medications as dangerous as other forms of illegal drug use? Are steroids addictive and can steroid abuse be treated? How do other mental health conditions relate to substance use in adolescents? Does treatment of ADHD with stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall increase risk of substance abuse later in life? What are signs of drug use in adolescents, and what role can parents play in getting treatment? How can parents participate in their adolescent child s treatment? What role can medical professionals play in addressing substance abuse (including abuse of prescription drugs) among adolescents? Is adolescent tobacco use treated similarly to other drug use? Are there medications to treat adolescent substance abuse? Do girls and boys have different treatment needs? What are the unique treatment needs of adolescents from different racial/ethnic backgrounds? What role can the juvenile justice system play in addressing adolescent drug abuse? What role do 12-step groups or other recovery support services play in addiction treatment for adolescents?...19
5 IV. TREATMENT SETTINGS...20 Outpatient/Intensive Outpatient...21 Partial Hospitalization...21 Residential/Inpatient Treatment...21 V. EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES TO TREATING ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS...22 BEHAVIORAL APPROACHES...23 Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA)...23 Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)...24 Contingency Management (CM)...24 Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)...24 Twelve-Step Facilitation Therapy...24 FAMILY-BASED APPROACHES...25 Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT)...25 Family Behavior Therapy (FBT)...25 Functional Family Therapy (FFT)...26 Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT)...26 Multisystemic Therapy (MST)...26 ADDICTION MEDICATIONS...26 Opioid Use Disorders...27 Alcohol Use Disorders...27 Nicotine Use Disorders...28 RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES...28 Assertive Continuing Care (ACC)...28 Mutual Help Groups...29 Peer Recovery Support Services...29 Recovery High Schools...29 TREATMENT REFERRAL RESOURCES...31 REFERENCES...32
6 From the Director Since its first edition in 1999, NIDA s Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment has been a widely used resource for health care providers, families, and others needing information on addiction and treatment for people of all ages. But recent research has greatly advanced our understanding of the particular treatment needs of adolescents, which are often different from those of adults. I thus am very pleased to present this new guide, Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment, focused exclusively on the unique realities of adolescent substance use which includes abuse of illicit and prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and the special treatment needs for people aged 12 to 17. The adolescent years are a key window for both substance use and the development of substance use disorders. Brain systems governing emotion and reward-seeking are fully developed by this time, but circuits governing judgment and self-inhibition are still maturing, causing teenagers to act on impulse, seek new sensations, and be easily swayed by their peers all of which may draw them to take risks such as trying drugs of abuse. What is more, because critical neural circuits are still actively forming, teens brains are particularly susceptible to being modified by those substances in a lasting way making the development of a substance use disorder much more likely. Addiction is not the only danger. Abusing drugs during adolescence can interfere with meeting crucial social and developmental milestones and also compromise cognitive development. For example, heavy marijuana use in the teen years may cause a loss of several IQ points that are not regained even if users later quit in adulthood. Unfortunately, that drug s popularity among teens is growing possibly due in part to legalization advocates touting marijuana as a safe drug. Nor do most young people appreciate the grave safety risks posed by abuse of other substances like prescription opioids and stimulants or newly popular synthetic cannabinoids ( Spice ) and even scientists still do not know much about how abusing these drugs may affect the developing brain. These unknowns only add to the urgency of identifying and intervening in substance use as early as possible. Unfortunately, this urgency is matched by the difficulty of reaching adolescents who need help. Only 10 percent of adolescents who need treatment for a substance use disorder actually get treatment. Most teens with drug problems don t want or think they need help, and parents are frequently blind to indications their teenage kids may be using drugs or they may dismiss drug use as just a normal part of growing up. Historically the focus with adolescents has tended to be on steering young people clear of drugs before problems arise. But the reality is that different interventions are needed for adolescents at different places along the substance use spectrum, and some require treatment, not just prevention. Fortunately, scientific research has now established the efficacy of a number of treatment approaches that can address substance use during the teen years. This guide describes those approaches, as well as presents a set of guiding principles and frequently asked questions about substance abuse and treatment in this age group. I hope this guide will be of great use to parents, health care providers, and treatment specialists as they strive to help adolescents with substance use problems get the help they need. Nora D. Volkow, M.D. Director National Institute on Drug Abuse Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 1
7 I. Introduction 2 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
8 People are most likely to begin abusing drugs* including tobacco, alcohol, and illegal and prescription drugs during adolescence and young adulthood. 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. 1 There are many reasons adolescents use these substances, including the desire for new experiences, an attempt to deal with problems or perform better in school, and simple peer pressure. Adolescents are biologically wired to seek new experiences and take risks, as well as to carve out their own identity. Trying drugs may fulfill all of these normal developmental drives, but in an unhealthy way that can have very serious long-term consequences. Many factors influence whether an adolescent tries drugs, including the availability of drugs within the neighborhood, community, and school and whether the adolescent s friends are using them. The family environment is also important: Violence, physical or emotional abuse, mental illness, or drug use in the household increase the likelihood an adolescent will use drugs. Finally, an adolescent s inherited genetic vulnerability; personality traits like poor impulse control or a high need for excitement; mental The adolescent brain is often likened to a car with a fully functioning gas pedal (the reward system) but weak brakes (the prefrontal cortex). The brain continues to develop through early adulthood. Mature brain regions at each developmental stage are indicated in blue. The prefrontal cortex (red circles), which governs judgment and self-control, is the last part of the brain to mature. Source: PNAS 101: , health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD; and beliefs such as that drugs are cool or harmless make it more likely that an adolescent will use drugs. 2 The teenage years are a critical window of vulnerability to substance use disorders, because the brain is still developing and malleable (a property known as neuroplasticity), and some brain areas are less mature than others. The parts of the brain that process feelings of reward and pain crucial drivers of drug use are the first to mature during childhood. What remains incompletely developed during the teen years are the prefrontal cortex and its connections to other brain regions. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for assessing situations, making sound decisions, and controlling our emotions and impulses; typically this circuitry is not mature until a person is in his or her mid-20s (see figure, above). The adolescent brain is often likened to a car with a fully functioning gas pedal (the reward system) but weak brakes (the prefrontal cortex). Teenagers are highly motivated to pursue pleasurable rewards and avoid pain, * In this guide, the terms drugs and substances are used interchangeably to refer to tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications used for nonmedical reasons. Specifying the period of adolescence is complicated because it may be defined by different variables, and policymakers and researchers may disagree on the exact age boundaries. For purposes of this guide, adolescents are considered to be people between the ages of 12 and 17. Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 3
9 but their judgment and decision-making skills are still limited. This affects their ability to weigh risks accurately and make sound decisions, including decisions about using drugs. For these reasons, adolescents are a major target for prevention messages promoting healthy, drug-free behavior and giving young people encouragement and skills to avoid the temptations of experimenting with drugs. 3 Most teens do not escalate from trying drugs to developing an addiction or other substance use disorder;* however, even experimenting with drugs is a problem. Drug use can be part of a pattern of risky behavior including unsafe sex, driving while intoxicated, or other hazardous, unsupervised activities. And in cases when a teen does develop a pattern of repeated use, it can pose serious social and health risks, including: school failure problems with family and other relationships loss of interest in normal healthy activities impaired memory increased risk of contracting an infectious disease (like HIV or hepatitis C) via risky sexual behavior or sharing contaminated injection equipment mental health problems including substance use disorders of varying severity the very real risk of overdose death How drug use can progress to addiction. Different drugs affect the brain differently, but a common factor is that they all raise the level of the chemical dopamine in brain circuits that control reward and pleasure. The brain is wired to encourage life-sustaining and healthy activities through the release of dopamine. Everyday rewards during adolescence such as hanging out with friends, listening to music, playing sports, Despite popular belief, willpower alone is often insufficient to overcome an addiction. Drug use has compromised the very parts of the brain that make it possible to say no. and all the other highly motivating experiences for teenagers cause the release of this chemical in moderate amounts. This reinforces behaviors that contribute to learning, health, well-being, and the strengthening of social bonds. Drugs, unfortunately, are able to hijack this process. The high produced by drugs represents a flooding of the brain s reward circuits with much more dopamine than natural rewards generate. This creates an especially strong drive to repeat the experience. The immature brain, already struggling with balancing impulse and self-control, is more likely to take drugs again without adequately considering the consequences. 4 If the experience is repeated, the brain reinforces the neural links between pleasure and drug-taking, making the association stronger and stronger. Soon, taking the drug may assume an importance in the adolescent s life out of proportion to other rewards. The development of addiction is like a vicious cycle: Chronic drug use not only realigns a person s priorities but also may alter key brain areas necessary for judgment and self-control, further reducing the individual s ability to control or stop their drug use. This is why, despite popular belief, willpower alone is often insufficient to overcome an addiction. Drug use has compromised the very parts of the brain that make it possible to say no. Not all young people are equally at risk for developing an addiction. Various factors including inherited genetic predispositions and adverse experiences in early life make trying drugs and developing a substance use disorder more likely. Exposure to stress (such as emotional or physical abuse) in childhood primes the brain to be sensitive * For purposes of this guide, the term addiction refers to compulsive drug seeking and use that persists even in the face of devastating consequences; it may be regarded as equivalent to a severe substance use disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5, 2013). The spectrum of substance use disorders in the DSM-5 includes the criteria for the DSM-4 diagnostic categories of abuse and dependence. 4 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
10 80 Adolescents Differ from Adults in Substances Most Abused Percent of those who received past-year treatment Alcohol Marijuana Prescription Drugs Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Cocaine Heroin Hallucinogens Inhalants to stress and seek relief from it throughout life; this greatly increases the likelihood of subsequent drug abuse and of starting drug use early. 5 In fact, certain traits that put a person at risk for drug use, such as being impulsive or aggressive, manifest well before the first episode of drug use and may be addressed by prevention interventions during childhood. 6 By the same token, a range of factors, such as parenting that is nurturing or a healthy school environment, may encourage healthy development and thereby lessen the risk of later drug use. Drug use at an early age is an important predictor of development of a substance use disorder later. The majority of those who have a substance use disorder started using before age 18 and developed their disorder by age The likelihood of developing a substance use disorder is greatest for those who begin use in their early teens. For example, 15.2 percent of people who start drinking by age 14 eventually develop alcohol abuse or dependence (as compared to just 2.1 percent of those who wait until they are 21 or older), 8 and 25 percent of those who begin abusing prescription drugs at age 13 or younger develop a substance use disorder at some time in their lives. 9 Tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana are the first addictive substances most people try. Data collected in 2012 found that nearly 13 percent of those with a substance use disorder began using marijuana by the time they were When substance use disorders occur in adolescence, they affect key developmental and social transitions, and they can interfere with normal brain maturation. These potentially lifelong consequences make addressing adolescent drug use an urgent matter. Chronic marijuana use in adolescence, for example, has been shown to lead to a loss of IQ that is not recovered even if the individual quits using in adulthood. 11 Impaired memory or thinking ability and other problems caused by drug use can derail a young person s social and educational development and hold him or her back in life. The serious health risks of drugs compound the need to get an adolescent who is abusing drugs into treatment as quickly as possible. Also, adolescents who are abusing drugs are likely to have other issues such as mental health Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 5
11 problems accompanying and possibly contributing to their substance use, and these also need to be addressed. 12 Unfortunately, less than one third of adolescents admitted to substance abuse treatment who have other mental health issues receive any care for their conditions. 13 Adolescents drug use and treatment needs differ from those of adults. Adolescents in treatment report abusing different substances than adult patients do. For example, many more people aged received treatment for marijuana use than for alcohol use in 2011 (65.5 percent versus 42.9 percent), whereas it was the reverse for adults (see figure, page 5). When adolescents do drink alcohol, they are more likely than adults to binge drink (defined as five or more drinks in a row on a single occasion). 14 Adolescents are less likely than adults to report withdrawal symptoms when not using a drug, being unable to stop using a drug, or continued use of a drug in spite of physical or mental health problems; but they are more likely than adults to report hiding their substance use, getting complaints from others about their substance use, and continuing to use in spite of fights or legal trouble. Adolescents also may be less likely than adults to feel they need help or to seek treatment on their own. Given their shorter histories of using drugs (as well as parental protection), adolescents may have experienced relatively few adverse consequences from their drug use; their incentive to change or engage in treatment may correspond to the number of such consequences they have experienced. 15 Also, adolescents may have more difficulty than adults seeing their own behavior patterns (including causes and consequences of their actions) with enough detachment to tell they need help. Only 10 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds needing substance abuse treatment actually receive any services. 16 When they do get treatment, it is often for different reasons than adults. By far, the largest proportion of adolescents who receive treatment are referred by the juvenile justice system (see figure, page 7). Given that adolescents with substance use problems often feel they do not need help, engaging young patients in treatment often requires special skills and patience. Many treatment approaches are available to address the unique needs of adolescents. The focus of this guide is on evidence-based treatment approaches those that have been scientifically tested and found to be effective in the treatment of adolescent substance abuse. Whether delivered in residential or inpatient settings or offered on an outpatient basis, effective treatments for adolescents primarily consist of some form of behavioral therapy. Addiction medications, while effective and widely prescribed for adults, are not generally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adolescents. However, preliminary evidence from controlled trials suggest that some medications may assist adolescents in achieving abstinence, so providers may view their young patients needs on a case-by-case basis in developing a personalized treatment plan. Whatever a person s age, treatment is not one size fits all. It requires taking into account the needs of the whole person including his or her developmental stage and cognitive abilities and the influence of family, friends, and others in the person s life, as well as any additional mental or physical health conditions. Such issues should be addressed at the same time as the substance use treatment. When treating adolescents, clinicians must also be ready and able to manage complications related to their young patients confidentiality and their dependence on family members who may or may not be supportive of recovery. Supporting Ongoing Recovery Sustaining Treatment Gains and Preventing Relapse Enlisting and engaging the adolescent in treatment is only part of a sometimes long and complex recovery process. 17 Indeed, treatment is often seen as part of a continuum of care. When an adolescent requires substance 6 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
12 200 Number of Adolescents Aged Admitted to Publicly Funded Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities on an Average Day, by Principal Source of Referral: Treatment Episode Data Set 2008* Juvenile Justice System Self or Others Community Organizations Schools Source: 2008 SAMHSA Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) Treatment Providers Other Health Care Professionals abuse treatment, follow-up care and recovery support (e.g., mutual-help groups like 12-step programs) may be important for helping teens stay off drugs and improving their quality of life. When substance use disorders are identified and treated in adolescence especially if they are mild or moderate they frequently give way to abstinence from drugs with no further problems. Relapse is a possibility, however, as it is with other chronic diseases like diabetes or asthma. Relapse should not be seen as a sign that treatment failed but as an occasion to engage in additional or different treatment. Averting and detecting relapse involves monitoring by the adolescent, parents, and teachers, as well as follow-up by treatment providers. Although recovery support programs are not a substitute for formal evidence-based treatment, they may help some adolescents maintain a positive and productive drug-free lifestyle that promotes meaningful and beneficial relationships and connections to family, peers, and the community both during treatment and after treatment ends. Whatever services or programs are used, an adolescent s path to recovery will be strengthened by support from family members, non-drug-using peers, the school, and others in his or her life. * Treatment providers in this chart refers to alcohol/drug abuse care providers. Treatment providers can and do refer people to treatment if, for example, a person is transferring from one level of treatment to another and the original facility does not provide the level of treatment that the person needs, or if a person changes facilities for some other reason. Other health care professionals refers to physicians, psychiatrists, or other licensed health care professionals or general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, mental health programs, or nursing homes. Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 7
13 II. Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment 8 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
14 1. Adolescent substance use needs to be identified and addressed as soon as possible. Drugs can have long-lasting effects on the developing brain and may interfere with family, positive peer relationships, and school performance. Most adults who develop a substance use disorder report having started drug use in adolescence or young adulthood, so it is important to identify and intervene in drug use early. 2. Adolescents can benefit from a drug abuse intervention even if they are not addicted to a drug. 18 Substance use disorders range from problematic use to addiction and can be treated successfully at any stage, and at any age. For young people, any drug use (even if it seems like only experimentation ), is cause for concern, as it exposes them to dangers from the drug and associated risky behaviors and may lead to more drug use in the future. Parents and other adults should monitor young people and not underestimate the significance of what may appear as isolated instances of drug taking. 3. Routine annual medical visits are an opportunity to ask adolescents about drug use. Standardized screening tools are available to help pediatricians, dentists, emergency room doctors, psychiatrists, and other clinicians determine an adolescent s level of involvement (if any) in tobacco, alcohol, and illicit and nonmedical prescription drug use. 19 When an adolescent reports substance use, the health care provider can assess its severity and either provide an onsite brief intervention or refer the teen to a substance 20, 21 abuse treatment program. 4. Legal interventions and sanctions or family pressure may play an important role in getting adolescents to enter, stay in, and complete treatment. Adolescents with substance use disorders rarely feel they need treatment and almost never seek it on their own. Research shows that treatment can work even if it is mandated or entered into unwillingly Substance use disorder treatment should be tailored to the unique needs of the adolescent. Treatment planning begins with a comprehensive assessment to identify the person s strengths and weaknesses to be addressed. Appropriate treatment considers an adolescent s level of psychological development, gender, relations with family and peers, how well he or she is doing in school, the larger community, cultural and ethnic factors, and any special physical or behavioral issues. Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 9
15 Legal Services Components of Comprehensive Drug Abuse Treatment Family Services Vocational Services Assessment Evidence-Based Treatment Substance Use Monitoring Clinical and Case Management Recovery Support Programs Continuing Care HIV/AIDS Services Educational Services Mental Health Services Medical Services The best treatment programs provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet the needs of the individual patient. 6. Treatment should address the needs of the whole person, rather than just focusing on his or her drug use. The best approach to treatment includes supporting the adolescent s larger life needs, such as those related to medical, psychological, and social well-being, as well as housing, school, transportation, and legal services. Failing to address such needs simultaneously could sabotage the adolescent s treatment success. Many adolescents who abuse drugs have a history of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse or other trauma. 7. Behavioral therapies are effective in addressing adolescent drug use. Behavioral therapies, delivered by trained clinicians, help an adolescent stay off drugs by strengthening his or her motivation to change. This can be done by providing incentives for abstinence, building skills to resist and refuse substances and deal with triggers or craving, replacing drug use with constructive and rewarding activities, improving problem-solving skills, and facilitating better interpersonal relationships. 8. Families and the community are important aspects of treatment. The support of family members is important for an adolescent s recovery. Several evidence-based interventions for adolescent drug abuse seek to strengthen family relationships by improving communication and improving family members ability to support abstinence from drugs. In addition, members of the community (such as school counselors, parents, peers, and mentors) can encourage young people who need help to get into treatment and support them along the way. 9. Effectively treating substance use disorders in adolescents requires also identifying and treating any other mental health conditions they may have. Adolescents who abuse drugs frequently also suffer from other conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct problems. 23 Adolescents who abuse drugs, particularly those involved in the juvenile justice system, should be screened for other psychiatric disorders. Treatment for these problems should be integrated with the treatment for a substance use disorder. 10 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
16 10. Sensitive issues such as violence and child abuse or risk of suicide should be identified and addressed. Many adolescents who abuse drugs have a history of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse or other trauma. 24 If abuse is suspected, referrals should be made to social and protective services, following local regulations and reporting requirements. 11. It is important to monitor drug use during treatment. Adolescents recovering from substance use disorders may experience relapse, or a return to drug use. Triggers associated with relapse vary and can include mental stress and social situations linked with prior drug use. It is important to identify a return to drug use early before an undetected relapse progresses to more serious consequences. A relapse signals the need for more treatment or a need to adjust the individual s current treatment plan to better meet his or her needs. 12. Staying in treatment for an adequate period of time and continuity of care afterward are important. The minimal length of drug treatment depends on the type and extent of the adolescent s problems, but studies show outcomes are better when a person stays in treatment for 3 months or more. 25 Because relapses often occur, more than one episode of treatment may be necessary. Many adolescents also benefit from continuing care following treatment, 26 including drug use monitoring, follow-up visits at home, 27 and linking the family to other needed services. A relapse signals the need for more treatment or a need to adjust the individual s current treatment plan. 13. Testing adolescents for sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, as well as hepatitis B and C, is an important part of drug treatment. Adolescents who use drugs whether injecting or non-injecting are at an increased risk for diseases that are transmitted sexually as well as through the blood, including HIV and hepatitis B and C. All drugs of abuse alter judgment and decision making, increasing the likelihood that an adolescent will engage in unprotected sex and other high-risk behaviors including sharing contaminated drug injection equipment and unsafe tattooing and body piercing practices potential routes of virus transmission. Substance use treatment can reduce this risk both by reducing adolescents drug use (and thus keeping them out of situations in which they are not thinking clearly) and by providing risk-reduction counseling to help them modify or change their highrisk behaviors. 28,29 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 11
17 III. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 12 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
18 1. Why do adolescents take drugs? Adolescents experiment with drugs or continue taking them for several reasons, including: To fit in: Many teens use drugs because others are doing it or they think others are doing it and they fear not being accepted in a social circle that includes drug-using peers. To feel good: Abused drugs interact with the neurochemistry of the brain to produce feelings of pleasure. The intensity of this euphoria differs by the type of drug and how it is used. To feel better: Some adolescents suffer from depression, social anxiety, stressrelated disorders, and physical pain. Using drugs may be an attempt to lessen these feelings of distress. Stress especially plays a significant role in starting and continuing drug use as well as returning to drug use (relapsing) for those recovering from an addiction. To do better: Ours is a very competitive society, in which the pressure to perform athletically and academically can be intense. Some adolescents may turn to certain drugs like illegal or prescription stimulants because they think those substances will enhance or improve their performance. To experiment: Adolescents are often motivated to seek new experiences, particularly those they perceive as thrilling or daring. 2. What drugs are most frequently used by adolescents? Alcohol and tobacco are the drugs most commonly abused by adolescents, followed by marijuana. The next most popular substances differ between age groups. Young adolescents tend to favor inhalant substances (such as breathing the fumes of household cleaners, glues, or pens; see The Dangers of Inhalants, page 15), whereas older teens are more likely to use synthetic marijuana ( K2 or Spice ) and prescription medications particularly opioid pain relievers like Vicodin and stimulants like Adderall. In fact, the Monitoring the Future survey of adolescent drug use and attitudes shows that prescription and over-the-counter medications account for a majority of the drugs most commonly abused by high-school seniors. Percent of High School Seniors Using in the Past Year Most Commonly Abused Drugs by High School Seniors (Other than Tobacco and Alcohol) Marijuana 36.4 Amphetamines A 8.7 Synthetic Marijuana 7.9 Prescription Painkillers* 7.1 Illegal Drugs Prescription or OTC Drugs Cough Medicine 5.0 Sedatives Tranquilizers Hallucinogens MDMA (Ecstasy) Salvia A The top drug used in this category is Adderall (7.4%) *The top drugs used in this category are Vicodin (5.3%) and OxyContin (3.6%) Source: Monitoring the Future National Results on Adolescent Drug Use: Summary of Key Findings, Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 13
19 3. How do adolescents become addicted to drugs, and which factors increase risk? Addiction occurs when repeated use of drugs changes how a person s brain functions over time. The transition from voluntary to compulsive drug use reflects changes in the brain s natural inhibition and reward centers that keep a person from exerting control over the impulse to use drugs even when there are negative consequences the defining characteristic of addiction. Some people are more vulnerable to this process than others, due to a range of possible risk factors. Stressful early life experiences such as being abused or suffering other forms of trauma are one important risk factor. Adolescents with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse are more likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorders. 30 Many other risk factors, including genetic vulnerability, prenatal exposure to alcohol or other drugs, lack of parental supervision or monitoring, and association with drug-using peers also play an important role. 31 At the same time, a wide range of genetic and environmental influences that promote strong psychosocial development and resilience may work to balance or counteract risk factors, making it ultimately hard to predict which individuals will develop substance use disorders and which won t. 4. Is it possible for teens to become addicted to marijuana? Yes. Contrary to common belief, marijuana is addictive. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among daily users (to percent). 32 Thus, many of the nearly 7 percent of highschool seniors who (according to annual survey data) 33 report smoking marijuana daily or almost daily are well on their way to addiction, if not already addicted, and may be functioning at a sub-optimal level in their schoolwork and in other areas of their lives. Long-term marijuana users who try to quit report withdrawal symptoms including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to stay off the drug. Behavioral interventions, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Contingency Management (providing tangible incentives to patients who remain drug-free) have proven to be effective in treating marijuana addiction (see Page 24 for descriptions of these treatments). Although no medications are currently available to treat marijuana addiction, it is possible that medications to ease marijuana withdrawal, block its intoxicating effects, and prevent relapse may emerge from recent discoveries about the workings of the endocannabinoid system, a signaling system in the body and brain that uses chemicals related to the active ingredients in marijuana. Legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use and for medicinal purposes is currently the subject of much public debate. Whatever the outcome, public health experts are worried about use increasing among adolescents, since marijuana use as a teen may harm the developing brain, lower IQ, and seriously impair the ability to drive safely, especially when combined with alcohol. Parents seeking more information about the effects of marijuana on teens are encouraged to see information offered on NIDA s Web site: marijuana. 14 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
20 The Dangers of Inhalants Various household products, including cleaning fluids, glues, lighter fluid, aerosol sprays, and office supplies like markers and correction fluid, have fumes that are sometimes breathed to obtain a brief, typically alcohol-like high. Because of their ready availability, these are frequently among the earliest substances youth abuse; they are generally less popular among older teens, who have greater access to other substances like alcohol or marijuana. Although the high from inhalants typically wears off quickly, immediate health consequences of inhalant abuse may be severe: In addition to nausea or vomiting, users risk suffocation and heart failure called sudden sniffing death. Serious long-term consequences include liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, bone marrow damage, and brain damage. Although addiction to inhalants is not very common, it can occur with repeated abuse. Early abuse of inhalants may also be a warning sign for later abuse of other drugs. One study found that youth who used inhalants before age 14 were twice as likely to later use opiate drugs. 34 So it is important for parents to safeguard household products and be alert to signs that their younger teens may be abusing these substances. 5. Is abuse of prescription medications as dangerous as other forms of illegal drug use? Psychoactive prescription drugs, which include opioid pain relievers, stimulants prescribed for ADHD, and central nervous system depressants prescribed to treat anxiety or sleep disorders, are all effective and safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor for the conditions they are intended to treat. However, they are frequently abused that is, taken in other ways, in other quantities, or by people for whom they weren t prescribed and this can have devastating consequences. In the case of opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin or OxyContin, there is a great risk of addiction and death from overdose associated with such abuse. Especially when pills are crushed and injected or snorted, these medications affect the brain and body very much like heroin, including euphoric effects and a hazardous suppression of breathing (the reason for death in cases of fatal opioid overdose). In fact, some young people who develop prescription opioid addictions shift to heroin because it may be cheaper to obtain. 35 ADHD medications such as Adderall (which contains the stimulant amphetamine) are increasingly popular among young people who take them believing it will improve their school performance. This too is a dangerous trend. Prescription stimulants act in the brain similarly to cocaine or illegal amphetamines, raising heart rate and blood pressure, as well as producing an addictive euphoria. Other than promoting wakefulness, it is unclear that such medications actually provide much or any cognitive benefit, however, beyond the benefits they provide when taken as prescribed to those with ADHD Are steroids addictive and can steroid abuse be treated? Some adolescents mostly male abuse anabolic-androgenic steroids in order to improve their athletic performance and/or improve their appearance by helping build muscles. Steroid abuse may lead to serious, even irreversible, health problems including kidney impairment, liver damage, and cardiovascular problems that raise the risk of stroke and heart attack (even in young people). An undetermined percentage of steroid abusers may also become addicted to the drugs that is, continuing to use them despite physical problems and negative effects on social relations but the mechanisms causing this addiction are more complex than those for other drugs of abuse. Steroids are not generally considered intoxicating, but animal studies have shown that chronic steroid use alters the same dopamine reward pathways in the brain that are affected by other substances. Other factors such as underlying body image problems also contribute to steroid abuse. 37 Moreover, when people stop Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 15
21 using steroids, they can experience withdrawal symptoms such as hormonal changes that produce fatigue, loss of muscle mass and sex drive, and other unpleasant physical changes. One of the more dangerous withdrawal symptoms is depression, which has led to suicide in some people discontinuing steroids. Steroid abuse is also frequently complicated by abuse of other substances taken either as part of a performance-enhancing regimen (such as stimulants) or to help manage pain-, sleep-, or mood-related side effects (such as opioids, cannabis, and alcohol). 38 Because of this complicated mix of issues, treatment for steroid abuse necessarily involves addressing all related mental and physical health issues and substance use disorders simultaneously. This may involve behavioral treatments as well as medications to help normalize the hormonal system and treat any depression or pain issues that may be present. If symptoms are severe or prolonged, hospitalization may be needed. 7. How do other mental health conditions relate to substance use in adolescents? Drug use in adolescents frequently overlaps with other mental health problems. For example, a teen with a substance use disorder is more likely to have a mood, anxiety, learning, or behavioral disorder too. Sometimes drugs can make accurately diagnosing these other problems complicated. Adolescents may begin taking drugs to deal with depression or anxiety, for example; on the other hand, frequent drug use may also cause or precipitate those disorders. Adolescents entering drug abuse treatment should be given a comprehensive mental health screening to determine if other disorders are present. Effectively treating a substance use disorder requires addressing drug abuse and other mental health problems simultaneously. Addiction occurs when repeated use of drugs changes how a person s brain functions over time. 8. Does treatment of ADHD with stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall increase risk of substance abuse later in life? Prescription stimulants are effective at treating attention disorders in children and adolescents, but concerns have been raised that they could make a young person more vulnerable to developing later substance use disorders. On balance, the studies conducted so far have found no differences in later substance use for ADHD-affected children who received treatment versus those that did not. This suggests that treatment with ADHD medication does not affect (either negatively or positively) an individual s risk for developing a substance use disorder What are signs of drug use in adolescents, and what role can parents play in getting treatment? If an adolescent starts behaving differently for no apparent reason such as acting withdrawn, frequently tired or depressed, or hostile it could be a sign he or she is developing a drug-related problem. Parents and others may overlook such signs, believing them to be a normal part of puberty. Other signs include: a change in peer group carelessness with grooming decline in academic performance missing classes or skipping school loss of interest in favorite activities changes in eating or sleeping habits deteriorating relationships with family members and friends Parents tend to underestimate the risks or seriousness of drug use. The symptoms listed here suggest a problem that may already have become serious and should be evaluated to determine the underlying cause which could be a substance abuse problem or another 16 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
22 11. What role can medical professionals play in addressing substance abuse (including abuse of prescription drugs) among adolescents? mental health or medical disorder. Parents who are unsure whether their child is abusing drugs can enlist the help of a primary care physician, school guidance counselor, or drug abuse treatment provider. Parents seeking treatment for an adolescent child are encouraged to see NIDA s booklet, Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask ( seeking-drug-abuse-treatment) and see the Treatment Referral Resources section of this guide (page 31). 10. How can parents participate in their adolescent child s treatment? Parents can actively support their child and engage with him or her during the treatment and recovery process. Apart from providing moral and emotional support, parents can also play a crucial role in supporting the practical aspects of treatment, such as scheduling and making appointments, as well as providing needed structure and supervision through household rules and monitoring. Also, several evidencebased treatments for adolescents specifically address drug abuse within the family context. Family-based drug abuse treatment can help improve communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution within the household. Treatment professionals can help parents and other family members identify ways they can support the changes the adolescent achieves through treatment (see Family-Based Approaches, pages 25 26). Medical professionals have an important role to play in screening their adolescent patients for drug use, providing brief interventions, referring them to substance abuse treatment if necessary, and providing ongoing monitoring and follow-up. Screening and brief interventions do not have to be time-consuming and can be integrated into general medical settings. Screening. Screening and brief assessment tools administered during annual routine medical checkups can detect drug use before it becomes a serious problem. The purpose of screening is to look for evidence of any use of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs or abuse of prescription drugs and assess how severe the problem is. Results from such screens can indicate whether a more extensive assessment and possible treatment are necessary (see Screening Tools and Brief Assessments Used with Adolescents, below). 40 Screening as a part of routine care also helps to reduce the stigma associated with being identified as having a drug problem. Screening Tools and Brief Assessments Used with Adolescents Screening tools are available and outlined in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) publications, Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs: The Role of the Pediatrician in Prevention, Identification, and Management of Substance Abuse 41 and Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment for Pediatricians. 42 In addition, the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner s Guide developed by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides information on identifying adolescents at high risk for alcohol abuse. 43 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 17
23 Brief Intervention. Adolescents who report using drugs can be given a brief intervention to reduce their drug use and other risky behaviors. Specifically, they should be advised how continued drug use may harm their brains, general health, and other areas of their life, including family relationships and education. Adolescents reporting no substance use can be praised for staying away from drugs and rescreened during their next physical. Referral. Adolescents with substance use disorders or those that appear to be developing a substance use disorder may need a referral to substance abuse treatment for more extensive assessment and care. Follow-up. For patients in treatment, medical professionals can offer ongoing support of treatment participation and abstinence from drugs during follow-up visits. Adolescent patients who relapse or show signs of continuing to use drugs may need to be referred back to treatment. Before prescribing medications that can potentially be abused, clinicians can assess patients for risk factors such as mental illness or a family history of substance abuse, consider an alternative medication with less abuse potential, more closely monitor patients at high risk, reduce the length of time between visits for refills so fewer pills are on hand, and educate both patients and their parents about appropriate use and potential risks of prescription medications, including the dangers of sharing them with others. 12. Is adolescent tobacco use treated similarly to other drug use? Yes. People often don t think of tobacco use as a kind of drug abuse that requires treatment, and motives for quitting smoking may be somewhat different than motives for quitting other drugs. But tobacco use has well-known health risks especially when begun in the teen years and the highly addictive nicotine in tobacco can make treatment a necessity to help an adolescent quit. Laboratory research also suggests that nicotine may increase the rewarding and addictive effects of other drugs, making it a potential contributor to other substance use disorders. Common treatment approaches like Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy are now being used to help adolescents quit smoking (and quit using other drugs) by helping them train their brains so they learn to recognize and control their cravings and better deal with life stress. Other therapies like Contingency Management and Motivational Enhancement use incentives and motivation techniques to help teens reduce or stop smoking. 44 (See page 24 for descriptions of these treatments.) Tobacco use often accompanies other drug use and needs to be addressed as part of other substance use disorder treatment. In a recent survey, nearly 55 percent of current adolescent cigarette smokers (ages 12 to 17) were also illicit drug users (by comparison, only about 6 percent of those who did not smoke used any illicit drugs). 45 Also, cigarette smoking can be an indicator of other psychiatric disorders, which can be identified through comprehensive screening by a treatment provider. 13. Are there medications to treat adolescent substance abuse? Several medications are approved by the FDA to treat addiction to opioids, alcohol, and nicotine in individuals 18 and older. In most cases, little research has been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these medications for adolescents; however, some health care providers do use these medications off-label, especially in older adolescents (see Addiction Medications, pages 26 28). 14. Do girls and boys have different treatment needs? Adolescent girls and boys may have different developmental and social issues that may call for different treatment strategies or emphases. For example, girls with substance use disorders may be more likely to also have mood disorders such as depression or to have experienced physical or sexual abuse. Boys with substance use disorders are more likely 18 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
24 to also have conduct, behavioral, and learning problems, which may be very disruptive to their school, family, or community. Treatments should take into account the higher rate of internalizing and traumatic stress disorders among adolescent girls, the higher rate of externalizing disruptive disorders and juvenile justice problems among adolescent boys, and other gender differences that may play into adolescent substance use disorders. 15. What are the unique treatment needs of adolescents from different racial/ethnic backgrounds? Treatment providers are urged to consider the unique social and environmental characteristics that may influence drug abuse and treatment for racial/ethnic minority adolescents, such as stigma, discrimination, and sparse community resources. With the growing number of immigrant children living in the United States, issues of culture of origin, language, and acculturation are important considerations for treatment. The demand for bilingual treatment providers to work with adolescents and their families will also be increasing as the diversity of the U.S. population increases. 16. What role can the juvenile justice system play in addressing adolescent drug abuse? Involvement in the juvenile justice system is unfortunately a reality for many substanceabusing adolescents, but it presents a valuable opportunity for intervention. Substance use treatment can be incorporated into the juvenile justice system in several ways. These include: screening and assessment for drug abuse upon arrest initiation of treatment while awaiting trial access to treatment programs in the community in lieu of incarceration (e.g., juvenile treatment drug courts) 46,47 treatment during incarceration followed by community-based treatment after release Coordination and collaboration between juvenile justice professionals, drug abuse treatment providers, and other social service agencies are essential in getting needed treatment to adolescent offenders, about one half of whom have substance use disorders What role do 12-step groups or other recovery support services play in addiction treatment for adolescents? Adolescents may benefit from participation in self- or mutual-help groups like 12-step programs or other recovery support services, which can reinforce abstinence from drug use and other changes made during treatment, as well as support progress made toward important goals like succeeding in school and reuniting with family. Peer recovery support services and recovery high schools provide a community setting where fellow recovering adolescents can share their experiences and support each other in living a drug-free life. It is important to note that recovery support services are not a substitute for drug abuse treatment. Also, there is sometimes a risk in support-group settings that conversation among adolescents can turn to talk extolling drug use; group leaders need to be aware of such a possibility and be ready to direct the discussion in more positive directions if necessary. Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 19
25 IV. TREATMENT SETTINGS 20 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
26 Treatment for substance use disorders is delivered at varying levels of care in many different settings. Because no single treatment is appropriate for every adolescent, treatments must be tailored for the individual. Based on the consensus of drug treatment experts, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has developed guidelines for determining the appropriate intensity and length of treatment for adolescents with substance abuse problems, based on an assessment involving six areas: 49 (1) Level of intoxication and potential for withdrawal (2) Presence of other medical conditions (3) Presence of other emotional, behavioral, or cognitive conditions (4) Readiness or motivation to change (5) Risk of relapse or continued drug use (6) Recovery environment (e.g., family, peers, school, legal system) With a substance use disorder as with any other medical condition treatment must be long enough and strong enough to be effective. Just as an antibiotic must be taken for sufficient time to kill a bacterial infection, even though symptoms may already have subsided, substance abuse treatment must continue for a sufficient length of time to treat the disease. Undertreating a substance use disorder providing lower than the recommended level of care or a shorter length of treatment than recommended will increase the risk of relapse and could cause the patient, his or her family members, or the referring juvenile justice system to lose hope in the treatment because they will see it as ineffective. This section will review the settings in which adolescent drug abuse treatment most often occurs. Outpatient/Intensive Outpatient Adolescent drug abuse treatment is most commonly offered in outpatient settings. When delivered by well-trained clinicians, this can be highly effective. Outpatient treatment is traditionally recommended for adolescents with less severe addictions, few additional mental health problems, and a supportive living environment, although evidence suggests that more severe cases can be treated in outpatient settings as well. Outpatient treatment varies in the type and intensity of services offered and may be delivered on an individual basis or in a group format (although research suggests group therapy can carry certain risks; see Group Therapy for Adolescents, page 23). Low- or moderate-intensity outpatient care is generally delivered once or twice a week. Intensive outpatient services are delivered more frequently, typically more than twice a week for at least 3 hours per day. Outpatient programs may offer drug abuse prevention programming (focused on deterring further drug use) or other behavioral and family interventions. 50,51 Partial Hospitalization Adolescents with more severe substance use disorders but who can still be safely managed in their home living environment may be referred to a higher level of care called partial hospitalization or day treatment. This setting offers adolescents the opportunity to participate in treatment 4 6 hours a day at least 5 days a week while living at home. 52 Residential/Inpatient Treatment Residential treatment is a resource-intense high level of care, generally for adolescents with severe levels of addiction whose mental health and medical needs and addictive behaviors require a 24-hour structured environment to make recovery possible. These adolescents may have complex psychiatric or medical problems or family issues that interfere with their ability to avoid substance use. One wellknown long-term residential treatment model is the therapeutic community (TC). TCs use a combination of techniques to resocialize the adolescent and enlist all the members of the community, including residents and staff, as active participants in treatment. Treatment focuses on building personal and social responsibility and developing new coping skills. Such programs offer a range of family services and may require family participation if the TC is sufficiently close to where the family lives. Shortterm residential programs also exist. 53 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide 21
27 V. EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES TO TREATING ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS 22 Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
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text:
Update on the Boys
So the blog has been "non-existently " quiet for quite some time now. Let's just say it's been a year.
Our two energetic boys are an unspeakable blessing. They are cuter than cute and the source of immense joy. But yeah, they're toddler boys, less than ten months apart…So despite our best efforts to thrive we survived until summer.
Another reason the blog is silent is we're realizing more and more how much we need to protect them from the complex details in their stories being shared out over the "interwebs."
We are so blessed by friends and family who support and love us and want to keep everyone in the know, so they're aware how best to support and pray for our family.
However, it's proven increasingly difficult to not overshare or be repetitive and vague. Thus, the silence. Who knows how this outlet will evolve over time. But for the half dozen who actually follow and read our ramblings, updates will be rare and come in spurts. In the meantime know how much we love and adore our boys. How amazed we are at their resilience, growth, and love.
At this time we are elated to announce a mid-August adoption date for Little Z! We are also surprised at the speed of K Buddy's case, as he already has a pre-termination hearing scheduled for mid-September! There's a lot that needs to happen and can still happen. But we're so amazed that the path looks clearer towards adoption for our tender-hearted joy, K Buddy.
In the meantime we covet your prayers for our boys and for us. It's definitely been a trying year and season on multiple fronts and we're so thankful to be keeping our heads afloat and experiencing new levels of God's grace.
We would especially appreciate targeted prayer for:
• Self-Care for us Parentals
• Extra time in the day
• Sleep
• Typical toddler parent prayers
• Spiritual Wisdom and Patience
• Financial wisdom for adoptions, etc.
• Healing for our boys
• Balance with meetings, therapies, & appointments
• Grace for all who work with us and our boys
We are unspeakably grateful that we never have to say goodbye. In a few weeks our Precious Little Z will officially be ours. The wait is over. He will have his forever family.
The journey was as advertised. While there are still fears of the future and a new journey ahead, the time of uncertainty will soon be over and permanency will begin.
Wow….Emotion after emotion! We have an adoption date for our precious Little Z. It's been just over two years since God placed this jubilantly joyful, energetically ecstatic, snuggling sweetheart into our arms.
It started as an act of obedience to step out on to the waters of foster care, not knowing if we'd ever adopt. Not knowing if we'd get to keep him. A daily surrender to God's plan for him and his biological family. Reminders of Abraham with Isaac, Hannah with Samuel, and friends with their foster children who returned home, enabled us to place his life and story into the Father's hands. Yet after each ear to ear grin, tender snuggle, tickle chase, or "firsts" we fought that surrender, longing to keep him whatever the cost. But the words "All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence I will live." won out, and we were graced with a deeper intimacy with Christ than we ever could have fathomed. Now we receive the gift of adoption. He will stay. How can it be? The world of foster care so rarely ends in adoption and there were so many heart-stopping, world crashing worries. Yet, we were given the gift of our son. Our son… A gift unearned and undeserved. Feels an awful lot like God's grace. What a palpable visual and experience of the Father's love and we will never take it for granted.
The emotions are many. Even in the midst of such ecstasy there is still grief. We rejoice, yet grieve for his biological family. This child means the world to us, yet they will never get to know this familial intimacy. We pray for them and the impact on his future. We pray for grace, transformation, and healing.
But today and the coming weeks we CELEBRATE! A new last name. A new birth certificate. An adoption.
"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." Habakkuk 2:3
So many emotions… Roller coaster the past weeks, not to mention the 19 months our Little Guy has been in our family. But today we can happily share our Little Guy is legally free!!! Adoption in the near future!!!
We are overwhelmed and so blessed by this precious precious boy. We are jubilant knowing we won't have to say goodbye and truly are "No Longer Slaves to Fear."
In the midst of the joy and elation we also recognize there is loss. We ask that all who offer up prayers of thanksgiving and praise also pray a blessing over his biological family. Prayer for them in their loss and that they can experience wholeness and freedom.
Words can't begin to touch what God has shown us of His heart and love on this journey. There is so so so much indescribable joy out on the waters, in the depths of His grace and love.
It's just too much. Overwhelmed doesn't even come close. That we'd be given the gift of actually being his forever family is beyond comprehension and words. What a gift and blessing!
This has been quite the year with our Little Guy's case, Little Miss M, and K Buddy. Hopefully we'll have the time and energy to share more in the near future. However, today we rejoice in this incredible news and great gift. Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers. We pray that you too can fully experience the ridiculous depths of Christ's love and blessings in your lives.
"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." Habakkuk 2:3
"I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just and good." Psalm 71:15-16
"Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36
Well, we're still standing! Wow! Wow! Wow! On so many levels!
It's been just about three weeks since K Buddy came to be a part of our family. While we've had quite the period of adjusting, we can happily say we see the light and have been blessed by the occasional calm sea.
There has been a tremendous improvement in behaviors and attaching for K Buddy, for Little Z, and us for that matter. It's definitely been the real deal, but we're so overjoyed that we're finding our rhythm and all experiencing deeper levels of joy.
Again and again we're reminded by those who have walked the road before us that this is a life long journey. Steps ahead, steps back. Seasons of ease and normalcy, and seasons that are just plain exhausting and less than awesome.
We constantly struggle to navigate the questions in house of if this is typical toddler/infant development or because of early childhood trauma/exposure. We struggle daily surrendering these kids' futures to God's hands as the case continually changes with new developments that stop our hearts. It is absolutely as Kelly Rosati says, "Full-time. Frontline. Forever."
While we'd love to say we can't imagine another path… Lies. We have. However, we're continually reminded that foster care, orphan care, and adoption is God's heart. We're reminded that when we rely solely on Christ, and don't hold tight to the comfortable life we receive that indescribable blessing of God's faithfulness, provision, and love. It reminds us of that unearned grace WE so desperately need. The fullness of God's grace, love, joy, peace, is truly out there on the waters.
Just this week King 5 reported the desperate needs for more foster homes. We constantly hear it from our social workers and circles. It's a growing crisis. What an amazing opportunity for the church to be the light in this darkness. We are so happy that the Spirit is stirring hearts and churches to defend the fatherless. Continue to pray for the children, the workers, the families, and those on the fence taking that step.
We know many are curious and would love to have the details and timeline on the boys. Unfortunately, we don't even have that information and are always limited in what we can share. However, here's a snapshot:
Little Z
• Visits with bio family have been discontinued for five months and might possibly resume shortly.
• He has a new social worker.
• There is a preliminary court date in December for termination of parental rights. (Still early stages, will take forever…)
• They're still pursuing a potential relative placement out of state…
K Buddy
• He is now on his eighth social worker (in nine months).
• He has four visits a week that are challenging on multiple levels.
• He is continued to be monitored for medial and developmental challenges.
• The decision to make adoption a permanency plan option was not approved by the commissioner. (The process will continue…for a long time…)
This is the most we dare share online; however, we SO believe in the power of prayer and want you to be able to pray specifically.
We thank all of you for your prayers, support, love, and words of encouragement. Please remember we are not saints. We all have our arenas we are obedient to God's call, our own moments of bravery that stem from our faith and desire to live the life of a Christ follower. These boys continue to remind us that the two of us are a broken mess, desperately in need of the Father's love and grace.
Be joyful always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Family of Four Once More
K Buddy is officially a part of our family as of today!
It's such a different experience having gotten to know him these past weeks and now have him here.
So much to say… We're continually amazed by the similarities to our Little Guy and what a great fit he'll be in our family. He is unbelievably precious and we love him dearly.
We're all adjusting…
Our Little Guy has his moments of jealousy… We're learning how to navigate two boys in diapers, just ten months apart…K Buddy is definitely having a hard time as he had an amazing foster family who he was definitely attached to…
Please pray first and foremost for K Buddy with the unbelievable confusion. That he'd find peace with all the extra cards he's been dealt and that we can protect, nurture, and comfort him. Pray for the coming days and weeks with attachment. We know it will be a lifetime journey with attachment, but especially desiring prayer for the present and near future.
We of course ask for prayer for our Little Guy on all the levels you'd expect.
Pray for K Buddy's last foster family. What a gift and blessing they were to him! No words…Just amazing! Pray as they miss him terribly and that they'd be renewed to continue their amazing gift to continue to touch so many lives.
Pray for K Buddy's family. There will continually be challenging dynamics. However, as we still pray for our Little Guy's and Little Miss M's family, we pray that K Buddy's family would know completely that indescribable, life altering love of Christ.
Finally, pray for our wisdom, energy, grace, humility, and faith.
We continually are caught off guard and laugh at how God calls us deeper out upon the waters. That song, that is now so over played to the point it tempts one to go through the motions of singing on Sunday, still rings true. This is where our faith is without borders. Walking upon these waters has made our faith stronger than ever before. We're given the greatest gift of seeing God come through in a myriad of inexplicable ways. God is GREAT!
We pray that you all know and love Christ deeper each day. There's no greater reward or joy!!!
"You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, GOD, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me." (Psalm 119:1-8 MSG)
We hesitate to share a great deal of what this post contains. However, because of our passion for the ministry of foster care, our desire for authenticity and truth, we choose to share it. For those who have foster and adoptive friends and family, please choose your words carefully. Too often, we or friends have been recipients of extremely hurtful and ignorant comments. We know it's awkward and many are at a loss with what to say. It's ok to just give a hug and forego words. Foster care and adoption is messy, there's no easy guidebook with what to say with the endless variables. If you choose to share with us or others on a similar path, please choose your words wisely and speak in love.
For a month we've thought about this post. What we'd say and how we'd say it. Each day a new variant arose as life did that funny thing of getting complicated…
Tomorrow would be six weeks Little Miss M lived with us as part of our family; however, that was not to be. Today we said goodbye.
One week after she came to live here we were updated that circumstances had changed and she would be returning home for reunification any day. We were told "It's not a matter of weeks or months, but days."
Yes, we knew she would be a short term placement, something we were always hesitant to do, but you of course don't love on these kids like they're here for a matter of days. You give them everything; your whole heart. It was a crazy first week and we were amazed at the progress and "glimpses." However, we processed and came to terms with the news. We were excited for her as it truly was in her best interest to return home.
After that crazy leap of faith saying yes and life changing in a multitude of ways, we realized life would be returning to normal. We started envisioning a family of three and a simpler, more comfortable life. We would jump back in with another kid when summer came around.
But of course that wasn't to be, as the very same day we were approached about another child. "Seriously God? I know we talked that big talk about not living the comfortable life, but we took the step of faith. We brought Little Miss M into our home. We extended your love, we grew, now it's time to rest and let life settle down."
As we heard more and more about this little boy, who would soon be turning one, our jaws dropped at the countless reasons why our home was the perfect fit. SO SO SO many similarities to our little guy with a couple cherries on top, pointing to why he'd be a good fit. But the timing? Not to mention two boys nearly ten months apart and some additional challenges of course.
For that week we were given the luxury not usually provided for with foster care…time to make a decision. He'd be moving in about a month, but they needed a commitment soon. We knew Little Miss M would be leaving shortly, and so could entertain this as we'd only have two kids in foster care. But it was still such a huge decision as it was much more likely a forever family commitment. That week listening to "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, several new worship songs, and jarring devotionals from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling" we were compelled to walk deeper out upon the waters. We said yes to K Buddy.
We'd still have about a month before he transitioned and we were told Little Miss M was literally going the next day. "Ok we'll have time to recover." A little of that recommended self-care was sounding good.
A week goes by and we're still loving up Little Miss M and our Little Guy, of course with no updates and the same message of she'll be returning any day. We have at this point already shared with all parties about our commitment to K Buddy and all are aware of the timeline, cases, and kids.
Another week… We're told, "Ok, so–and-so is working with the family, they have dot-dot-dot in place, it's really really happening." Again we stress the need for confirmation as we've given the commitment to K Buddy, his current foster parents, and social workers. As much as our crazy, prone to radical, hearts say we could handle three foster kids, thankfully our semi-rational brains hold firm that we cannot provide the needed love and care for this particular group of three children. So the timeline again is confirmed by all of the day Little Miss M will for sure be returned by…
And here we are…
This week we were made aware that reunification was still very close; however, would not happen by the set date…So we reached out…to our pastors, foster mentors, family, friends. We prayed, we talked, we were silent, we prayed…
Knowing the ridiculous amount of variables in these three kids' cases, the timelines and needs, along with what we and others believe we are capable of, we said goodbye to Little Miss M today. We loved her with all we had. We are confident that the past six weeks provided stability in the traumatic tumultuous time she found herself. She knows how much we love and always will love her. We're still in contact with her family and are doing all we can to remain in contact with her new foster family. The unending blessings of clothes, supplies, and toys from our church family, friends, and family went with her. Whatever remains will be transported to her family when they are ready. She is so close to her much needed reunification with her family. We choose faith over worry as we surrender and trust.
So here we are with a very complex set of emotions as we grieve her leaving, yet prepare to welcome K Buddy to our home. Both our Little Guy and K Buddy have similar stories and what would seem trajectories. We have no assurances and there are constantly changes with the cases as the state's goal remains reunification for all foster children. However, in our mostly un-biased opinion, both of these boys VERY much need forever families, and it would appear our homes will be that forever family.
As always, we are so limited in what we can share, and the blog will most likely be quiet for a while. For now we have a week to semi-recover and prepare our home for K Buddy.
In the meantime please pray!
• Pray for Little Miss M in her current placement
• Pray that reunification for Little Miss M and her family occurs soon
• Pray for our Little Guy as he has been doing amazing, but is clearly impacted
• Pray for us as we are emotionally and physically exhausted
• Pray for the preparation for K Buddy
• Pray for the transition of K Buddy from his current home to ours
Our motives now and forevermore remain to walk in obedience to Christ, surrendering our lives and plans, that God's incomprehensible love might be experienced by all.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:2
Letting Go
The blog has been quiet this past month. Little Miss M has been with us five weeks today. These truly have been deeper waters, filled with blessings and storms. As soon as life and thoughts allow we'll update what we can.
For now, some words that resonate with our present circumstances:
First, a dear friend in the trenches shared a blessing given to Henri Nouwen:
"May all your expectations
be frustrated.
May all your plans be thwarted.
May all of your desires
be withered into nothingness,
that you may experience the powerlessness and
poverty of a child and sing and dance
in the love of God the Father,
the Son and the Spirit."
Second, today the lyrics of this song captured so perfectly our current state of emotions:
My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge
Like an acrobat
There's no turning back
I'm letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe
So I'm letting go
This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace
The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone
I'm letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe
So I'm letting go
Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I'm not afraid
Feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe
Feels like I'm falling and this is the life for me
"I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli
Thank you for your continued prayer for these children and their future. Thank you for prayers of grace, endurance, and wisdom.
Through it all, it is well and God is good.

subset: commoncrawl


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text:
Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Serve these flavorful mashed potatoes with Braised Brisket.Source: Everyday Food, April 2004
Total Time Prep Servings
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jdesnick19 NOV, 2013I took these mashed potatoes to the big Vegan potluck Thanksgiving meal in Rancho Park in Los Angeles last year and they were gone in a flash. I made them with regular russet potatoes, regular salt, and a little less fat and they came out great. I learned elsewhere online to mix a pinch of baking soda into the onions to make them carmelize quickly. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone! You don't need all that butter and cream to make delicious, creamy, satisfying mashed potatoes!Reply
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