About 40 percent of teenagers with depression do not initially respond to a drug regimen of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Common drugs in this class of anti-depressants include Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil.

Researchers led by UCLA Professor Joan Asarow studied 334 depressed teenagers who did not improve with SSRI therapy. These teens were divided into four groups

• One group switched to different forms of SSRIs.
• The second group took Venlafaxine, an anti-depressant in a different family of drugs.
• The third group took SSRIs plus cognitive behavior therapy.
• The fourth group took Venlafaxine plus cognitive behavior therapy.

The members of the third and fourth groups showed the most improvement. Many of them had coexisting disorders such as anxiety or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder along with depression. The combination of drugs and therapy did not help many teens with high levels of hopelessness or histories of abuse.

This study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Labels: depression, medications, therapy

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 2 Comments

A study of 177 adolescents who underwent substance abuse treatment indicates that "aftercare" treatment is important to its success.

Researchers from the University of Connecticut assigned some of the teens to three months of aftercare that involved sessions with therapists. The control group had no aftercare.

At the end of the three-month study, those who had aftercare therapy had fewer suicidal ideations and were more likely to use none or lower amounts of alcohol or marijuana compared to those in the control group.

Psychiatry professor Yifrah Kaminer, who conducted the research, said, "Aftercare can help prevent relapse and chronic disease."

This study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

For older teens and young adults, NorthStar Center offers a great aftercare program that combines addiction therapy and an academic program. Visit www.northstarcenter.com for more details.

Labels: therapy, psychiatry, aftercare

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As of 2005, approximately 1.8 million people annually were seeking treatment for substance and/or alcohol abuse. Any one of those people can attest to how difficult it is to recovery from an addiction. A substance abuse counselor can play a vital role in a person's recovery.

"The substance abuse counselor is there to help you get through the period of coming off the substance and getting better... Many people are reluctant to talk to a counselor because it makes them feel weak or that the counselor is there to make too much out of nothing."

On the contrary, substance abuse counselors are there to listen, and to help people discover the reasons behind their addictions  a necessary step on the road to recovery. Read more at SubstanceAbuseSupport.com.

Labels: treatment, therapy, counseling

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Selena Bartlett, Ph.D., recently led a study on the effects of medication in treating the cravings associated with alcohol addiction. The study produced positive results, but Dr. Barbara Krantz was quick to point out that medication is just one component of effective treatment.

"'We know that addiction to alcohol or drugs is a disease with medical and psychosocial components,' said Dr. Krantz. 'Addiction is a brain disorder for which counseling and other behavioral therapies are necessary components of addiction treatment.'"

Addiction treatment is different for everyone. Dual diagnosis may have to be addressed (i.e.  addiction and depression being treatment simultaneously), and type and the length of treatment needs to be customized. Read more at Home.Busineswire.com.

The Aspen Institute conducts all of the assessments necessary to create a comprehensive treatment plan for teens struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. Learn more about this special residential treatment center at www.aspenassessment.com.

Labels: addiction, treatment, therapy

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Substance Abuse programs can be very expensive. It's not unusual to hear of people spending tens of thousands of dollars a month to help their child or another loved one get the help they need. But does it have to be that way? Are only the most expensive programs the best? Kristen Gerencher from MarketWatch.com offers tips on finding programs that won't break the bank.

"Many programs, both publicly funded and private, combine education and intensive counseling with peer-led, 12-step support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, [Dr. Laurence] Westreich said. Most are very bare bones and have AA orientations about how to avoid relapse, and they're highly effective."

Some of the things you should look for in a facility include one that conducts a thorough initial assessment and has the necessary credentials. Remember that you're looking for "what works, not for what's pretty". It's ok if the facility doesn't pamper its patients, as long as their well-cared for and are getting the recovery treatment they need. Read more at MarketWatch.com.

Labels: rehab, treatment, therapy

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It's not widely known or widely practiced, but Judith Ann Miller, founder and president of the Courage to Change Ranch, says that the use of nutritional supplements at part of addiction treatment works. The supplements correct imbalances in the brains neurotransmitters, helping the addict get through the difficult "detoxing" stage.

"[The therapy] helps them get their brains working so they can actually think. A person like this can't even fathom a 12-step program until they can get their brain working."

Miller's treatment includes neurotransmitter therapy, a structured work environment, and individual and group therapy. Read more at Kansas.com.

Labels: treatment, therapy, supplements

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Every week, in 14 cities across the United States, young people don layers of clothing, hop on a bus, and strap on snowboards and helmets - all in the name of "therapy". The program is called "Chill", and its focus is to improve self-esteem and confidence of at-risk and inner city youth.

"Through the challenge of learning a tough new sport, the snowboarders undergo intensive therapy, program officials say. The staff members try to get the youth to focus on six themes when they struggle: patience, persistence, respect, integrity, courage, and pride."

The bus rides to and from the ski centers are opportunities for young people to talk, share, and think. Read more at ChicagoTribune.com.

Labels: treatment, therapy

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Teenagers often show up in emergency rooms of hospitals after drinking and getting injured in fights. Now a new study found that having these teens talk to a therapist for 30 minutes will reduce their chances participating in future physical violence by 70%.

"The leading cause of death for adolescents who reside in inner-city settings is violence and other injuries," said Maureen Walton, lead author of the study. "These adolescents are ... not likely to have a primary care physician, and the emergency room is a popular place for a variety of reasons. We decided this would be a good setting for prevention."

• Dr. Walton and her colleagues divided more than 700 teens (ages 14 to 18) who had visited an emergency in Flint, Michigan, into three groups.
• One group got a 30-minute talk with a therapist.
• The second group sat through a computer presentation.
• The third group received a brochure with referrals to community resources.

Six months later, those who talked to therapists showed a greater reduction in alcohol consequences compared to the other groups.

The study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
 

Labels: alcohol, violence, therapy

Posted By: Adolescent Substance Abuse 1 Comment