"Individual is acquiring skills to suppress flatulence"

Struggles and Support at the Huberdeau Youth Center

The Huberdeau youth center, located in Quebec, Canada, faces numerous challenges in addressing dependency issues among adolescents. These issues range from drug and alcohol addiction to behavioral addictions such as video game addiction.

One of the primary challenges is early detection. Symptoms of addiction in teenagers can be subtle and hidden, making it difficult to spot signs of substance abuse or behavioral addiction. Early intervention is crucial, as the adolescent brain is still developing, making it more vulnerable to the long-term effects of drugs or alcohol.

Another challenge is tailoring appropriate treatment. Adolescents require age-appropriate, individualized treatment plans that address not only addiction but also emotional, behavioral, academic, and social aspects. Many centers lack the resources to offer comprehensive holistic care, incorporating therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, family therapy, and recreational activities.

Engagement and resistance are also common issues. Teenagers may be resistant to treatment due to fear, stigma, lack of insight, or mistrust. This limits youth centers' ability to provide effective interventions and requires skilled engagement strategies and involvement of family support.

Co-occurring mental health issues, such as trauma, depression, or anxiety, also complicate treatment. Successful recovery often involves systemic family support, yet engaging families and equipping them with tools to aid recovery can be challenging due to varying family dynamics and stress.

Limited resources and funding are another obstacle. Youth centers often operate under constraints that limit access to trained professionals, specialized programs, and continued care options, such as residential or step-down programs, making sustained recovery more challenging.

Addressing behavioral addictions like video game addiction is another emerging issue. Unlike substance abuse, video game addiction lacks consistently established treatment protocols, and youth centers may struggle to identify and manage this issue effectively alongside more traditional substance dependencies.

Despite these challenges, the Huberdeau youth center provides a supportive environment for its residents. Guillaume*, a teenager at the center, self-harms and has nightmares as a result of past traumas. He trusts no one due to past experiences of adults letting him down, but Mr. Sabourin, an educator at the center, has managed to earn his trust. Mr. Sabourin encourages Guillaume to learn to manage his pain and start trusting the adults at the center.

Adam, a 16-year-old resident, believes the center is not a prison and mentions participating in activities like seeing the Laval Rocket and ice climbing. Léon shares that he had a distressing nightmare and feels on edge, but the group offers comfort and support. Benoît*, another resident, offers a comforting phrase to Léon, causing the group to laugh.

The day at the youth center begins with a group meeting in the living room, led by educator Marie-Claude Zacharek. The residents discuss their concerns and challenges, providing a safe space for them to express their feelings. Guillaume is concerned about his future and the possibility of being in prison, but the center's staff is working to provide him with the skills and support he needs to face his challenges.

In summary, the Huberdeau youth center faces several common challenges when addressing dependency issues among adolescents. However, with the support of dedicated staff and a focus on holistic, individualized treatment, the center provides a safe and supportive environment for its residents.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.

[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Principles of adolescent substance use disorder treatment: A research-based guide. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide

[2] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57: Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Treatment-Improvement-Protocol-TIP-Series-No-57-Substance-Abuse-Treatment-for-Persons-With-Co-Occurring-Disorders/SMA14-4131

[3] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 54: Engaging Family Members in Substance Abuse Treatment. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Treatment-Improvement-Protocol-TIP-Series-No-54-Engaging-Family-Members-in-Substance-Abuse-Treatment/SMA14-4127

[4] National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. (2009). Adolescent Substance Abuse: A National Tragedy: The 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey Results on Adolescent Drug Use. Retrieved from https://www.ncad.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2009_Monitoring_the_Future_Survey_Results_on_Adolescent_Drug_Use.pdf

[5] World Health Organization. (2019). Guidelines on the prevention, identification, referral and treatment of drug use disorders in prisons and other closed settings. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/guidelines_on_the_prevention_identification_referral_and_treatment_of_drug_use_disorders_in_prisons_and_other_closed_settings/en/

In addition to addressing traditional substance addictions, the Huberdeau youth center grapples with the emerging issue of video game addiction, a behavioral addiction for which there are yet no consistently established treatment protocols.
As the teenagers receive support for their mental health, they also engage in self-development activities such as ice climbing and attending general-news lectures, promoting overall health and wellness.
In the realm of crime and justice, the prevention of drug-related crimes among adolescents is crucial, and educational institutions, like the Huberdeau youth center, play a significant role in providing education-and-self-development resources that empower their students to make informed decisions and lead crime-free lives.