Young Adult Rehab: Specialized Addiction & Mental Health Treatment Programs
Understanding the Unique Needs of Young Adults
Young adults are at a challenging time in their lives. They must understand and fulfill new responsibilities. Many will go on to enter the workforce, pursue higher education, and form bonds with their fellow peers. It can be frightening to navigate a world that places many expectations upon them. It’s not just social demands that young adults face. They are also at a time of critical development when the brain finishes maturing.
Just because young adults are older than teens does not mean that they no longer need support and understanding. It’s a time of many changes, some of which can be deeply overwhelming. Encouraging and supporting young adults is now more important than ever, especially with the serious challenges they face.
The Challenges Facing Young People Today
Times have changed, and thus, the types of challenges a young adult will face. There is an enormous pressure to succeed, which can increase stress. The state of the world must also be taken into consideration. Socioeconomic inequality, changing job markets, rising costs of living, and uncertain futures can cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. Peer pressure is also a driving force that challenges young adults, with many falling into bad crowds simply because they lack non-judgmental support.
With these problems and more facing today’s young adults, it’s no wonder that many are struggling with their mental health.
The Prevalence of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Conditions in Young Adults
Addiction is a direct response to pain. It can be physical pain, such as a chronic injury or illness, but it can also be mental or emotional pain. Addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) are more common than most would think.
In 2023, among young adults aged 18 to 25, 13.3 million have used illicit drugs and 16.9 million have drank alcohol, according to statistics gathered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The number of older adults who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction is much higher. Statistics gathered in 2022 by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have indicated that 59.3 million adults aged 18 or older have or still struggle with a mental illness.
Why is this number so high? The answer is quite complicated. It’s a mix between genetics, environmental factors, life experiences, and life pressures that can influence the likelihood of a mental health disorder or addiction. This is why it is essential to have comprehensive mental health care and drug rehab for young adults. Seeking professional help at an accredited addiction treatment center is the only way to overcome a serious addiction, mental health disorder, or dual diagnosis.
Common Substance Use Disorders Among Young Adults
Drug use among young adults can be varied. Some examples include marijuana, prescription benzodiazepines, stimulants, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, and cocaine. However, the two most commonly abused drugs and substances among this age group are alcohol and opioids.
Alcohol use and abuse are typically seen in peer groups among young adults. This is the age when many go off to college, and are thus exposed to drinking culture on campus. Such a culture may also encourage binge drinking or high-intensity drinking. Young adults may also feel pressured to drink as part of work culture or as a means to deal with stressful situations.
Opioid use is also prevalent among young adults. When prescribed by a doctor, opioids are used to treat pain, such as managing post-surgical pain. This includes natural opioids, such as morphine, and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. However, opioids are highly addictive, even when carefully managed by a doctor. Though this is the typical reason why opioid addiction rates are so high, it’s not the only one.
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in Young Adults
Substance abuse treatment involves more than treating the addiction itself. Young adult drug abuse can be the result of or influence the development of a mental health disorder. When someone has two or more mental health disorders at the same time, it’s known as a dual diagnosis. Successful dual diagnosis treatment involves a careful integration of mental health and substance abuse care at a recovery center.
Examples of commonly co-occurring mental health disorders are:
Addiction and its influence on mental health are more complex than what most people might think. Rarely does an addiction or substance use disorder appear on its own. This is especially the case when someone is struggling with undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders.
Dependency and the Impact on Functionality
As the body and brain get used to a particular drug or substance, it loses its potency. This forces you to need more and more of your substance of choice to feel the same effect. What once took one drink of alcohol to “relax” might now take two, and then three. The more you engage in substance abuse, the more dependent the body becomes. This is because the brain, which relies on a delicate balance of chemicals to function, now assumes that being under the influence is “normal.” When this state of “normal” cannot be achieved, you will begin to experience physical withdrawal symptoms.
This dependency is serious, and in some cases, can put your life at risk. In the best cases, a person may lose a job or flunk out of school because they cannot concentrate or focus. At worst, you could lose your life in an accident due to being inebriated. Regardless of the degree to which it impacts your functionality now, it will get worse if left untreated. This is why it’s critical to seek help at an accredited rehab center or addiction treatment facility, such as Alpha Behavioral Health.
Alpha Behavioral Health: A Supportive Environment for Young Adult Treatment
For those in the Austin area, there is no better place to find the right young adult rehab programs for you or your loved one. Alpha Behavioral Health has the specially trained staff needed to help vulnerable groups of people, especially adolescents and young adults. Older adults up to age 30 are also welcome at Alpha Behavioral Health for compassionate drug and alcohol rehab.
It’s a place where you not only receive quality addiction treatment and healthcare but also learn the life skills needed to be a successful, healthy, and confident adult. Sober living is readily available to anyone, as long as they are willing to accept help.
Alpha Behavioral Health’s Approach to Young Adult Treatment
Our philosophy when it comes to addiction treatment is to be relatable, fun, and life-changing. This allows us to provide compassionate and uplifting care for young adults, helping them to grow into their true potential. Addiction thrives on despair, so we do all in our power to help clients find their inner courage and inspire hope for a brighter future.
Our substance abuse treatment programs feature a holistic approach. This means that the mind, body, and spirit are given equal treatment in rehab. Our average treatment plan includes general health programs to improve physical wellness, courage-building, self-expression exercises, and evidence-based therapies. Clients utilize therapeutic modalities from art therapy to psychotherapy. Treatment plans also harness the healing power of nature, bringing clients into the wilderness for therapeutic modalities and recreation.
Alpha Behavioral Health is a perfect place to find healing for addiction recovery. Boosting a supportive environment, fellow peers can interact with each other to build mutual support and community. With a robust alumni community, clients can find mentors who understand exactly what they are going through. Avenues of recreation, extensive skill workshops, and individual counseling all give clients the well-rounded care they need for complete addiction recovery.
Young Adult Treatment Programs: Our Levels of Care & Treatment Options
Our typical addiction treatment programs are all individualized, but tend to follow routine steps. You begin with detox, followed by a treatment program. Some addiction treatment and mental health care facilities may only offer detox or only specific treatment programs. Alpha Behavioral Health, however, offers multiple treatment programs so clients can stay in one place for comprehensive treatment.
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Detox: Safe and Supervised
The first step, of course, is detox. This step gives clients enough time and assistance for the substance to leave their body. Detox can be very hard on a body, especially when detoxing from potent drugs like opioids. Alpha Behavioral Health ensures that this step is as safe and comfortable as possible with the help and oversight of medical professionals.
Residential Treatment (Inpatient): Intensive Healing
After detox is complete, the next step is inpatient treatment. This is also known as residential treatment or inpatient rehab. Inpatient treatment involves the client living on campus or in supportive housing so they can focus solely on treatment and recovery. How long this step lasts depends on the substance and severity of the addiction, but the average is 30 days.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Structured Day Program
Depending on the client’s needs, they can transition to a PHP or an outpatient program. A PHP is more intense than an outpatient program and involves a full day of treatment and therapeutic activities. Clients who still struggle with intense cravings or who feel like they aren’t ready for life without structured support stay in a PHP until they are ready to transition.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Flexible Support
Alpha Behavioral Health offers two outpatient treatment services. One is the IOP, which offers a higher level of support compared to outpatient treatment. Eventually, the goal is for someone to transition from an IOP to less intensive outpatient treatment. The difference between the two is how long and how frequently a client meets with their treatment providers. A person needing more support and transitional help will utilize an IOP, while a person more ready for normal life will go with outpatient treatment.
Both an IOP and outpatient treatment allow clients to go home. They sleep at home and fulfill typical duties. However, an IOP and outpatient treatment give clients the time and opportunity to get a job or pursue higher education. Treatment providers will help clients manage the balance between normal living and treatment, ensuring they have continued support.
The Continuum of Care: From Detox to Aftercare
Alpha Behavioral Health offers complete care. This covers everything from detox to substance abuse treatment and aftercare. Complete care ensures that all clients can receive the assistance they need in one recovery center. This prevents messy transitions between treatment facilities and allows clients to stay with a team they’ve built a trusting relationship with.
Evidence-Based Therapies and Modalities
Alpha Behavioral Health offers a wide variety of evidence-based therapies and modalities to treat young adult drug abuse. This ranges from clinical psychotherapies to holistic modalities. The most common therapies clients will utilize in Alpha Behavioral Health are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Used to help clients change harmful thought patterns and behaviors
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Used to help clients manage and understand their emotions
- Family therapy: Used to help family members find mutual healing and understanding
- Group therapy: Used to help clients connect with peers through shared experiences and support groups
Using these four core therapies in conjunction with other modalities, such as art and wilderness therapy, allows clients to get the comprehensive healing they need for drug abuse recovery.
Alpha Behavioral Health’s Specialized Programs for Young Adults
Young adults seeking treatment for alcohol addiction and other serious substance use disorders can find specialized assistance at our accredited recovery center. With specialized programs, workshops, and alumni events, any young adult can find continued support in their recovery journey. One of which is our transitional living program for young adult men.
Transitional Living Program: A Key to Long-Term Recovery
Young men in need of further guidance as they transition back into normal life need to look no further than Alpha Behavioral Health’s Transitional Living Program. This program allows young men to stay in a safe transitional home as they continue to receive specialized treatment and assistance. They can go to work, enroll in school, or even explore the city, practicing valuable life skills for a time when they no longer require extensive help. Residents also participate in team-building exercises and exciting adventures, which teach independence and responsibility, and create a peer support core that they can utilize for the rest of their lives.
Promoting Wellness and Long-Term Recovery
Alpha Behavioral Health doesn’t just treat addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. They also assist young adults in becoming confident, strong, and healthy members of society. This includes helping clients learn how to care for themselves, stay healthy, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Strategies for Relapse Prevention in Young Adults
Relapse prevention is essential for long-term recovery success. Clients engage in workshops and therapy sessions that help them prepare for life post-treatment. This includes skills such as healthy boundary setting, peer pressure resistance, and stress-management techniques. Clients are also taught to rely on their peer support network for a source of comfort and understanding. That, alongside alumni participation, ensures that clients can recognize the risks of a relapse and get the appropriate help when needed.
Building a Foundation for Well-Being
Well-being means caring for your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Clients learn how to eat well, exercise, and engage in hobbies that bring them joy. This includes learning how to express yourself and find avenues of rest. Together, all these elements build a foundation that clients will always have, ensuring continued success as they pursue their goals.
Aftercare and Ongoing Support
All clients have access to aftercare and ongoing support. This can be minor support, such as having a mentor keep in regular contact, or having access to a regular support group. Some alumni form groups of their own and are happy to accept new members for exciting adventures and experiences. The level of aftercare and support varies, but no client ever leaves Alpha Behavioral Health without a continued support plan in place.
Why Alpha Behavioral Health Stands Out
Alpha Behavioral Health stands out because of its commitment to compassionate and understanding care. Its goal is to encourage young people and inspire hope within themselves. This involves flexible, comprehensive treatment to suit the needs and schedule of young adults. It’s a safe place where young adults can beat their addiction, but also unlock their inner potential. If you’d like to see for yourself how Alpha Behavioral Health can change your life, reach out today. It’s never too late for you or your family to find peace and healing.
For young adults, addiction can feel like an unescapable trap, but recovery is possible for everyone. To learn about our comprehensive addiction treatment program at Alpha Behavioral Health, call (855) 725-2744 today.