/assets/production/practices/6a834e4d54d815e9790373f6088f8f58a9e14df6/images/2748270.jpg)
More than 1.9 million American adolescents and teens suffer from substance abuse, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Unfortunately, substance abuse increases the risk of other health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and heart disease. At the offices of Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, the team treats substance abuse in children, adolescents, and teens. They may recommend prescription medication, lifestyle changes, and mental health counseling to reduce cravings, alleviate symptoms, and improve your child’s quality of life. Call the office in Cranbury and Trenton, New Jersey, to schedule substance abuse treatment for your child, or book an appointment online today. Telemedicine appointments are also available.
What is substance abuse?
Substance abuse, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a mental health condition characterized by the problematic use of a substance like drugs or alcohol.
Substance abuse occurs on a spectrum and can be mild or severe. Most kids and teens suffering from the condition have an overpowering desire to use the drug, increased tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms that occur after trying to quit.
What are some drugs that can cause substance abuse?
Substance abuse is caused by drugs that have addictive potential. The Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, team treats kids and teens addicted to various substances, including:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Cannabis (marijuana)
- Hallucinogens (psilocybin and LSD)
- Inhalants, such as paint thinners, gas, and nitrites
- Prescription and non-prescription opioids (painkillers)
- Tobacco/nicotine
- Hypnotics, such as sedatives and sleeping pills
All of these substances activate the reward center in the brain and induce feelings of pleasure. Some children are addicted to a single substance; others are addicted to multiple substances. Regardless, seeking treatment is crucial if your child uses drugs or alcohol as a crutch.
How does a pediatrician diagnose substance abuse?
There isn’t a specific test that diagnoses substance abuse. Instead, the Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, team reviews your child’s medical records and completes a thorough medical evaluation of your child’s behavior surrounding a specific substance or substances.
The team also completes a mental health evaluation since many kids and teens with substance use disorder also have mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
After completing the exam, the team compares your child’s symptoms to the criteria for substance use disorder in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). If your child has at least two of the symptoms and they’ve been ongoing for more than a year, your child is diagnosed with substance use disorder.
How is substance abuse treated?
The Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, team treats substance abuse using a personalized, integrative approach. Often, this includes detoxification (stopping usage of the drug), cognitive-behavioral therapy (counseling), and medication-assisted therapy to reduce cravings.
The goal of treatment is to help patients achieve sobriety and a better quality of life for a healthy, drug-free adulthood. The team can refer patients to specialists as needed for their treatment plan.
Call the nearest Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, office to schedule substance abuse treatment for your child, or book an appointment online today.