pediatrics
Drug and Substance Use in Adolescents
Treatment of Drug and Substance Use in Adolescents
Behavioral therapy tailored for adolescents Typically, adolescents with a moderate or severe substance use disorder are referred for further assessment and treatment, often by a behavioral health specialist, or, in some cases, to a specialty substance use disorder treatment program. In general, the same behavioral Treatment can also be used for adolescents. However, these therapies should be adapted. Adolescents should not be treated in the same programs as adults; they should receive services from adolescent programs and therapists with expertise in treating adolescents with substance use disorders. Drugs that are used to treat withdrawal symptoms resulting from stopping the use ofnicotine, THC, and other substances are available for adolescents and can be prescribed by a primary care provider. 