TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS DUE TO PAS USE

MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE: EMCDDA SESSION
Integrative and multidisciplinary outpatient and inpatient treatment program suited for adolescents with mental and behavioral disorders due to use of psychoactive substances are quite rare even in countries with well-developed programs for treating people who use drugs. In Slovenia there is a network of 21 outpatient centers for the prevention and treatment of drug addiction but only some of them are able to treat youngsters as well. And there is a network of centers for mental health for children and adolescents with no specific programs for those who use drugs. Many of them are in different educational institutions for adolescents with behavioral problems without any specific treatment programs, as well. 
At the Center for treatment of drug addiction at University Psychiatric hospital in Ljubljana. We have been treating young people as well since 1995 with outpatient therapeutic groups for the last eight years. This outpatient programs have been intensified tree years ago and in December 2023 a new inpatient program has been started for young people who require intensive outpatient and/or hospital treatment due to a complex clinical picture (frequent comorbidity with other mental disorders).  The multidisciplinary treatment program is meant to include adolescents and young adults as well as their parents, close relatives and/or guardians.
Objectives of the program:
- ensuring biopsychosocial integrative help to young people with mental and behavioral disorders due to the consumption of psychoactive substances (biopsychosocial treatment)
- diagnostic processes and treatment of the disorder, the comorbid disorders or underlying vulnerabilities
- enabling continuous structured therapeutic and social activities
 
Inclusion criteria:
Children and adolescents up to the age of 18 (exceptionally 21) with a mental and behavioral disorder due to the use of PAS, who demonstrate at least a minimal level of insight into their own condition, motivation for treatment and who agree to the treatment.
 
Program:
1. Individualized outpatient treatment
2. Group outpatient treatment
3. Inpatient treatment program 
4. Day hospital
 
Treatment program:
Psychotherapy
Pharmacotherapy
Psychoeducational groups on addiction, associated disorders, mental health (interactive, in the form of workshops)
Occupational therapy
Social skills training
Art therapy 
Relaxation techniques
Family psychotherapy sessions
 
Given that addiction treatment in Slovenia is not possible against the will of the patient hospitalizations without consent are not possible here. If the condition of the young person is recognized as life-threatening he/she could be hospitalized against their will at the Intensive Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit. If the young person refuses further treatment, it would be necessary to arrange accommodation in protected forms of residence (educational institutions) through social services and courts.