When a teenager in the family is grappling with addiction, it can trigger a complex set of dynamics within the family unit. One of these dynamics is codependency, which can have a profound impact on both the addicted individual and the family as a whole. In this blog, we will delve into what codependency is,…
Our Blog - Substance Use
Dive into the Antelope Recovery blog for guides, tips, and insights in your teen’s mental health. From battling summer blues to navigating IOPs, we’re here to help.
Addiction and ADHD go hand in hand; three things parents and providers need to know about treating teens with co-occurring diagnoses
Parenting a teenager can be a challenging journey on its own. Add ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and substance use disorder into the mix, and it can bring a parent into crisis mode very quickly. In this blog, we’ll explore the co-occurring disorders of ADHD and addiction among teens, with a focus on understanding how these conditions…
A Guide for Parents: How to Help Teens who are Vaping or Using Nicotine
Vaping and nicotine use is one of the 1st warning signs that things are not going well for your teenager. Here are our tips on what to do if your teen is using. The scary stuff we all know about nicotine… but it doesn’t hurt to refresh on. How to help: There are a few…
Contingency Management is the most effective psychological treatment for substance use
⏰ Time to read: 10 mins Contingency Management is an evidence-based approach to drug testing that utilizes a gamified system of rewards and consequences to encourage positive behaviors such as attending sessions and completing drug tests. Studies show that it is the most effective psychological approach for reducing substance use and facilitating recovery despite being…
What every parent needs to know about their teen’s drug cravings
As a parent, teacher, pediatrician, or friend who is supporting someone who is battling addiction, understanding the complexities of drug cravings is vital. Failure to understand drug cravings and the role they play in addiction is one of the most common mistakes people make, which leads to unnecessary pain for both you and your loved…
9 Meta-Studies show Contingency Management is one of the most effective treatments for substance use disorder
Contingency Management (CM) stands out as one of the most effective, research-backed methods for battling substance use disorders. The evidence is clear: CM significantly improves recovery outcomes, offering a beacon of hope to those navigating the challenges of addiction. Despite its proven success, CM is still underutilized, with less than 10% of U.S. treatment programs…
What Parents Need to Know: Psychedelic Use and Psychosis
Psychedelics are a class of drugs that can cause alterations in perception, mood, and thought processes. While psychedelics can have therapeutic benefits when used in a controlled and supervised setting, they can also lead to the onset of psychotic symptoms or psychosis, particularly in people who are predisposed to or have a history of psychotic…
Parents Need to Know: Psychedelic Use Decriminalized in Colorado
The passage of Proposition 122, the Natural Medicines Health Act in November 2022 marked a momentous occasion in Colorado. Coloradoans voted, by a tally of 53 to 47%, to both decriminalize psilocybin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline and medicalize psilocybin, with the possibility of a medicalization pathway for the others in 2026. Decriminalizing psychedelic use is…
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Overdose deaths now claim more lives every year than car crashes. Over 100,000 lives were lost to overdoses last year – a 15% increase from the year before. Those overdoses are caused by opioids and the fact that most have not received life-saving recovery medication, which is the recommended standard of care. Research shows that…
How to talk to your teenager about substance use
Not all drugs are created equal and neither is all drug use. Substance use falls into three categories: Most teens experiment with substances at some point. However, of those who experiment, most will not go on to use or abuse drugs. How to set boundaries with your teen about substance use: When talking to your…
