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Concern over gap for young people funding

Recently there has been concern over the growing gap for government funded residential treatment for young people. The last publically funded residential treatment centre for teenagers closed down in 2010. A combination of secure homes and estates were then offered as an alternative to provide treatment for a range of issues, therefore not solely focusing on an addiction (BBC, 2011). The government's National Treatment Agency advised that this community treatment can help address other issues such as family or mental health issues which could trigger an addiction.

However there are strong feelings that the intervention from residential treatment for young people suffering from an addiction could allow an early break to the cycle of addiction. Alternative outpatient and community treatment may not offer the same level of intervention, and therefore is a concern for those who are affected by an addiction.

The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) estimates that residential treatment would cost on average £500 per week, with the average residential treatment duration being three months. With reduced resources for funding of such treatment it leads service users and their families looking for alternative ways to access this form of treatment.

If not funded by the NHS then the alternative is privately funded residential treatment. One main group of private clinics offering support and treatment for young adults is the priory group. The priory clinics offer Rehab in London and across the UK which have specialist adolescent facilities. This group can offer treatment at some of their facilities for younger individuals suffering from an addiction. In addition to this they can cater for additional problems and mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

The need of early intervention is highlighted when statistics show the high numbers of children exposed to drug and alcohol related behaviors. Action on addiction research completed in 2009 showed around 30% of children in the UK lived with a binge-drinking parent. Although not solely responsible, growing up in an environment where substance and alcohol abuse is normalized, this can contribute to younger individuals developing an addiction themselves.

The growing trend of community treatment options offered by NHS and voluntary services may leave a gap in the treatment plans for many young individuals, and could lead to more looking into the option of privately funded residential treatment.

References.

Cairns (2011) Kicking the habit: How important are teen rehab centres? Sourced at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14384213

http://www.actiononaddiction.org.uk/News---Publications/News/New-estimates-indicate-that-between-3-4-3-5-millio.aspx

http://www.nta.nhs.uk/

Published by on 31/10/2011.

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