A multisystemic therapy program used to be an intervention for juvenile offenders. Today, it empowers teens and young adults to overcome chemical dependency. How does it work? Most importantly, how could it help your loved one today?

Multisystemic Therapy Addresses a Combination of Risk Factors

young woman after a successful multisystemic therapy programWhen your teen or young adult begins a multisystemic therapy program at Zelus Recovery, substance abuse already happened. In contrast to other cause-and-effect scenarios, chemical dependency rarely only has one cause. Rather, there are numerous contributing factors. Consider, for example, co-occurring mental health disorders.

Anxiety and depression affect the decision to use drugs. Frequently, people don’t have a diagnosis for this condition. They don’t realize that it’s something they struggle with. As part of the multisystemic therapy, your teen or young adult undergoes an assessment for the condition.

If he or she suffers from a mental or personality disorder, treatment can stabilize psychiatric health. Therefore, it eliminates a significant contributing factor to drug use. Other situations that a multisystemic therapy program addresses include behavioral problems, peer relationships, and family problems.

Cases in point are communication failures within the family. As the integral support network, it’s vital for all to be able to hear each other. If there’s a breakdown, it can adversely affect healing. Most importantly, it can boost the chance of a relapse.

How Therapy Works

Family involvement is an integral aspect of multisystemic therapy. Therapists work with the individual as well as family members. The specialist provides feedback to those involved in the sessions. It typically leads to positive changes in the home environment, communication styles, and overall relationships.

A multisystemic therapy program isn’t a quick fix. Instead, it’s a process that may span several months. It requires multiple weekly meetings with a therapist. As a result, it has to be part of a comprehensive addiction treatment therapy setup.

At Zelus Recovery, specialists combine multisystemic therapy with other modalities. Examples include:

  • Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy as a way to undo dysfunctional pattern responses
  • Dialectical behavior treatment that emphasizes control over emotional responses
  • Psychotherapy program participation that hones in on areas of potential growth
  • Group therapy, which allows for positive peer interactions and accountability during treatment

In general, this type of treatment takes place in an intensive outpatient setting. Your teen or young adult remains in your home. By not insisting on a residential treatment model, the family becomes the primary support system. Therefore, a multisystemic therapy program can be a significant game-changer in your loved one’s healing.

Isn’t Substance Abuse Just a Phase?

Many parents hope against hope that their teens or young adults are merely going through a phase. Rather than calling it drug abuse, they refer to it as experimentation. However, chemical dependency isn’t a phase. It’s not a sign of oppositional defiance.

In contrast, it’s a disease that needs treatment. Without it, the condition worsens. Health problems aren’t far behind. Most importantly, your loved one may quit school or work and gradually leave your sphere of influence.

Dealing with substance abuse when you first discover it is vital for the long-term success of treatment. Whereas many Boise addiction treatment programs may require that your loved one moves into the facility, Zelus Recovery doesn’t. They remain at home with you. Doing so preserves the family unit and minimizes interruptions to the schedule.

Don’t let this chance at influencing your teen or young adult go by the wayside. Now is the time to seek out treatment and engage in multisystemic therapy. Zelus Recovery wants to help. Call 208.518.0797 today for immediate assistance.