Challenges that Young Adults Face While in Treatment
Addiction is a diagnosis affecting almost 20 million American adults (aged 12 and older) per year.
People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.
This chronic medical disease involves complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.
There are many factors that influence the development of an addiction. Some of these include sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, genetics, history of trauma, socioeconomic status, and age.
In recovery, all of these aspects need to be examined to better understand how they intersect and influence the development of an addiction.
Treatment for Young Adults
Age is an especially important factor in the treatment of addiction. Each age group has its own set of unique challenges that make the recovery process even more difficult. Young adults in particular, are in a distinct stage of life that involves big changes like graduating from high school or college, applying for jobs, becoming more financially independent, moving out, etc. Just one of these changes can be daunting and challenging for anyone. The combination of all of these changes can put young adults at risk for using substances or unhealthy behaviors to cope and thus developing an addiction.
Age-Specific Treatment
Age-specific recovery programs tend to be better equipped to address each age group’s unique needs. Additionally, recovering alongside other individuals in similar life stages creates a sense of unity, belonging and can help individuals feel more comfortable opening up.
Young Adult Addiction Treatment
Some common experiences amongst young adults include peer pressure, immortality complex, and history of substance abuse. Peer pressure is a common experience for many young adults because substances like alcohol tend to be a dominant part of their culture. In college, many students bond and create communities at parties and other environments where drinking and drug use is normalized. For those with addictions, this substance-use spirals out of control and turns into an addiction. It is essential that social influences like peer pressure, are addressed in recovery. The immortality complex occurs in young adults because they are experiencing a newfound freedom and have yet to think or experience consequences that reckless behavior can cause. Young adults tend to minimize the seriousness of their addiction or actions because they have yet to grasp their own mortality. In recovery, it is important that young adults come to terms with the reality of having an addiction to prevent further consequences from occurring. The relationship between family and addiction is very significant, making family therapy and involvement a big component of recovery. Addiction impacts the individual and their families and family dynamics are a factor in developing an addiction. Addressing family relationships and dynamics is another critical component of recovery.
Relapse Prevention for Young Adults
Recovery is a marathon not a sprint. Once someone has completed a recovery program, the journey is not over. It is important that recovery programs prepare young adults for further challenges they may face as they reintegrate back into the world. Living at a sober living facility can offer additional support for young adults as they step down to lower levels of care. Sober livings like The Nook, are supportive living environments for individuals in recovery. In addition to a sense of community, Sober Livings also offer support like case management, employment, and education resources. Recovery programs often recommend living at sober living facilities while in recovery programs such as PHP, IOP, and OP. Oftentimes treatment programs collaborate with other sober living facilities. For instance, The Nook works closely with Thrive Treatment and provides transportation to and from each location. Check out The Nook if you are looking for an awesome sober living in Los Angeles. as you can see there are many Challenges that Young Adults Face While in Treatment.