NIH Study Finds Residential SUD Treatment for Adolescents is “Scarce and Expensive”
Why is residential SUD treatment for adolescents scarce and expensive? According to a new study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this scarcity is a problem nationwide. Moreover, when SUD treatment for adolescents is available, it often proves to be too costly for most families. However, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) stands tall against this negative trend.
As a provider of SUD treatment for adolescents, TTC makes it a priority to provide quality substance use disorder treatment services. Indeed, in TTC’s facilities in Lancaster and Antelope Valley, we offer an array of SUD treatment for adolescents, including residential. Hence, the youth SUD treatment program includes inpatient and outpatient alcohol and drug treatment options, educational opportunities in the program, and aftercare support services.
Residential SUD Treatment for Adolescents
Published in Health Affairs, the new study is made possible with funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) under the NIH umbrella. Led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the study expands on the startling revelations of previous research. Indeed, past research shows that only one in four centers providing residential SUD treatment for adolescents under 18 years old provide buprenorphine, a medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).
In contrast, TTC offers Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) in various youth services programs. Since MAT Services is a treatment option that saves lives, it makes sense to be available for youth. Moreover, MAT Services tend to work best when combined with residential SUD treatment. Thus, TTC makes it a priority to do our best to have residential beds available for adolescents.
Dr. Nora Volkow on Youth Treatment Services
As the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Dr. Nora Volkow is one of the most respected voices in the recovery industry. As Dr. Volkow explains, “The ability to access timely, evidence-based treatment for addiction can be a matter of life or death, and the current system too often fails young people. We need to make access to timely, affordable, and evidence-based care the norm across treatment settings.”
Beyond making beds available, TTC also makes it a priority to make youth treatment services affordable. Ultimately, the goal for everyone involved is to save young lives. Thus, residential SUD treatment for adolescents needs to be a national priority. It does not matter, however, if the change in policy takes time because help is available now.
If your child needs residential SUD treatment for adolescents today, it does not have to be scarce and expensive. Beyond having a proven record of helping youth, TTC residential beds for adolescents are available and affordable. To learn more, please contact us today.