What to Expect: Inside the Teen Substance Use Treatment Process at Six Bridges Clinic
Learn more about all the specifics of your upcoming appointment at Six Bridges.
Intake Appointment
The intake appointment assesses the patient’s needs, treatment readiness, and goals, with evaluations of both the patient and family by the Recovery Team (psychiatrist, therapist, nurse). Here is what you can expect during the intake appointment.
New Patient Evaluations
This includes a 90-minute psychiatric evaluation with a psychiatrist and a 60-minute therapy session to review the patient’s substance use, medical history, and mental health.
Initial Laboratory Collections
We will collect a urine sample for drug screening. For any additional lab tests, patients will be referred to their primary care provider.
Other Assessments
Appropriate medical referrals will be made. The Recovery Team will assist with scheduling and ensure adherence to referrals.
Evidence-Based Treatment
All patients will receive individualized care. Based on the needs of each patient and family, a combination of therapies will be provided. Here are the different types of evidence-based treatment that may be utilized
Individual Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps address maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Additional evidence-based psychotherapies will be provided based on the therapist’s guidance.
Family Therapy
Family involvement is essential to treatment, addressing unique histories, circumstances, and communication patterns. UAMS tailors our approach to each family’s needs.
Medications
Medications for substance use disorders in adolescents and young adults can be helpful, especially for nicotine dependence, alcohol use disorder, and opioid use disorder.
Follow-up Appointments
Follow-up visits are essential to monitor the patient’s personal safety, adjust medications, and monitor and encourage abstinence from alcohol and substance use, as the patient works toward achieving their goals.
Here is what you can expect during your follow-up visits:
- 30-minute appointment with the psychiatrist (including medication management)
- 60-minute appointment with the therapist
- Laboratory collections: urine drug screen and blood draw
How often will the patient need a follow-up appointment?
A weekly follow-up appointment will be required. Depending on the patient’s recovery progress, the appointments may eventually be spaced out (every 2 weeks or every 3 weeks). The treatment program may last anywhere from 3 to 6 months based on the patient’s needs and progress.
Ongoing Recovery
Recovery from substance use disorders involves lifelong participation in recovery activities. For young people and their families, it is important to maintain ongoing engagement with clinical follow-ups, as well as community-based programs (e.g., AA, NA), peer-based support programs, 12-step programs, and others.
For Six Bridges Clinic patients who have completed the acute treatment, ongoing recovery activities may include:
- Ongoing clinical follow-ups
- Recovery-focused activities
- Monthly recovery groups, assertive continuing care, training to become peer supporters, building relationships (with new peers, family functioning)
- Connections to employment opportunities, academic support services (improving grades, entering higher education, trade schools, etc.)
- Coordinating with law enforcement and the court system