Adolescents
Behavioral health services provided by the Ernest Kennedy Center are available to individuals suffering from a substance use disorder, addiction, or any problems associated with substance use. The center has a team of caring, compassionate, and dedicated professionals specializing in addiction treatment and education.
The services provided by Ernest Kennedy Center are informed by current science and research for best practices related to the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.
These services include Biopsychosocial Assessment, Treatment Planning, Psychoeducation topics, Individual, Family, and Group Counseling. These services are provided in an outpatient setting which may also include Intensive Outpatient treatment groups.
A counselor will begin with screening and an assessment to identify your specific needs and recommendations for which service(s) may benefit you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do adolescents take drugs?
To fit in: Many teens may start to use drugs, tobacco, or alcohol as a way to connect with their peers in social settings, to connect with an older crowd, or just to fit in.
To feel good: Alcohol and drugs interact with the brain’s neurochemistry to produce feelings of pleasure. Based on the substance and how it is used, it impacts the intensity of the euphoric experience.
To feel better: Some adolescents want to feel better from other conditions like mental health, stress, anxiety, trauma, and physical pain. Stress can play a pivotal role in continued substance use or a return to substance use.
To experiment: Adolescents tend to move towards thrilling and daring experiences because the adolescent brain responsible for rational decision-making is still developing.
What drugs are most frequently used by adolescents?
Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are the drugs most commonly used by adolescents.
What factors increase the risk of adolescent drug use?
- Family history of substance use
- Mental health issues
- Lack of school connection
- Poor parental monitoring
- Favorable parental attitudes toward that behavior
- Family rejection of sexual orientation or gender
- Association with delinquent or substance using peers
- Low academic achievement
- Drug availability (community/school)
- Poor coping skills
What are the protective factors for adolescent substance use?
- Parental monitoring of adolescent’s activities and peers
- Strong and positive family bonds
- Clear rules of conduct that are consistently enforced within the family
- Involvement of parents in the lives of their children
- Adoption of conventional norms about drug use
- Success in school performance, strong bonds with institutions such as schools, religious organizations
What are signs of drug use in adolescents and what role can parents play in getting treatment?
- Having bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils or using eye drops to mask these symptoms.
- Skipping class, declining grades, starting to get into trouble at school
- Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions
- Loss of interest in old hobbies, sports and lying about new interest and activities
- Dropping one group of friends for another; being secretive about the new peer group.
- Demanding more privacy, locking doors, avoiding eye contact, sneaking around.
- Acting uncharacteristically, isolating, withdrawn, angry, moody, or depressed.
The Biological, Psychological, Social, Spiritual, and Experiential Model (BPSSEM)
The Biological, Psychological, Social, Spiritual, and Experiential Model (BPSSEM) is a science-based model of addiction. This model guides prevention and treatment efforts by understanding the complexity of addiction to include the brain adaptation to substances and the individual vulnerabilities increasing the potential for the development of addictive disorders. Treatment interventions informed by this model are craving management techniques, mindfulness practices, creative counseling techniques, recreational therapy, and treatment interventions that support healing and healthy brain functioning. Psychoeducation topics such as spirituality, family dynamics, nutrition, exercise, and healthy support are common topics integrated into the outpatient and intensive outpatient curriculum. Additional treatment interventions and topics, such as understanding and coping with trauma and co-occurring symptoms, may also be included as individual recommendations. These approaches prevent the progression of addictive illness or help an individual initiate recovery from moderate to severe substance use disorders.
Modified Interpersonal Group Psychotherapy (MIGP)
Modified Interpersonal Group Psychotherapy (MIGP) is a form of group therapy that allows group members to discuss their goals in a non-judgmental and safe setting. The MIGP approach also encourages making choices, owning responsibilities, taking growth-producing risks, and experiencing the awe-inspiring moments during group processing. The group facilitator is responsible for creating a safe environment for supporting and honoring disclosures of emotions and experiences by group members. The sessions are driven by each group member’s presence and self-disclosure.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is designed to support lifestyle changes and psychosocial health. The program helps persons served to change their behaviors by targeting thinking patterns that may contribute to problem-causing behaviors.
Individual counseling
Individual counseling – is designed for one-on-one interactions between client and counselor who may need additional therapeutic time with a counselor. Individual counseling sessions can be beneficial for clients who feel more comfortable disclosing personal information about sensitive topics that may be difficult to discuss in a group setting. Individual counseling sessions involve a variety of treatment interventions based on the needs of the client.
Family Counseling
Family counseling – Family members are often the source of support for individuals entering treatment and often lack the understanding of substance use disorders. This lack of understanding often leads to unintentional shaming for the client. In an effort to increase knowledge about addiction, develop effective communication, and build family support, the Ernest Kennedy Center recommends comprehensive family counseling for all parties involved. Persons served will discuss with their primary counselor their willingness to include family members in the treatment process and whom they identify as family. Please note that certain circumstances may prevent family members from attending sessions periodically.
The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is an outpatient service meeting at a minimum of 6 hours per week. This service is offered as intensive counseling for individuals with moderate to severe substance use disorders seeking abstinence. The program is designed to establish psychosocial support, facilitate relapse management, and develop additional coping strategies. The program consists of two-hour group sessions conducted three days per week. IOP includes group and family counseling as well as psychoeducation topics. This service is often beneficial and recommended for individuals who have experienced treatment in the past and identify a need for more intense services to begin the path to recovery and support maintenance of recovery.
The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA)
The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) is a behavioral intervention targeted to adolescents ages 12 and older, which seeks to replace structures supportive of drug and alcohol use with ones that promote an abstinent lifestyle. The overall goals of A-CRA are to reduce substance use and dependence, increase social stability, improve physical and mental health, and improve life satisfaction. A-CRA is appropriate for youth between 12 and 18 years of age and young adults between 18 and 25 years of age suffering from drug addiction or dealing with substance abuse issues.
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306 Airport Drive
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
(843) 761-8272
(843) 577-9181
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Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 797-7871
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