Understanding Addiction in Adolescents and Adults
Addiction is a complex condition that extends beyond substance misuse. It affects thoughts, behaviors, and emotional well-being, often resulting in strained relationships, declining physical health, and difficulty functioning in daily life. At Mental Health Haven, Kristen Chambers, psychiatric nurse practitioner, provides specialized care for both adolescents and adults facing various forms of addiction. Whether it’s dependency on drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, or video games, each case is approached with a nonjudgmental, evidence-based plan for recovery.
The nature of addiction can vary depending on age, environmental factors, and psychological history. Adolescents may engage in risk-taking behaviors without fully understanding the consequences, while adults may turn to addictive behaviors as a way to cope with trauma, stress, or mental illness. Addiction is not simply a failure of willpower; it is often rooted in neurobiological patterns that reinforce compulsive behaviors. By understanding these patterns, Kristen Chambers works with patients to break the cycle of addiction and begin the process of healing.
Types of Addictions Treated at Mental Health Haven
Addiction manifests in different ways, and it’s essential to recognize that it doesn’t always involve a chemical substance. Behavioral addictions—such as compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, or excessive video gaming—can be just as destructive and emotionally destabilizing as alcohol or drug dependency. At Mental Health Haven, Kristen Chambers treats a wide range of addictive behaviors with a personalized, whole-person approach.
Common forms of addiction seen in practice include:
- Substance Use Disorders: Including alcohol, prescription drugs, nicotine, marijuana, stimulants, opioids, and other illicit substances.
- Gambling Addiction: Persistent and uncontrollable gambling behavior that disrupts financial, occupational, and family life.
- Sex and Pornography Addiction: Compulsive sexual behavior that interferes with healthy relationships, productivity, and emotional regulation.
- Video Game Addiction: A growing concern, particularly among adolescents, where excessive gaming impacts academic performance, social life, and mental health.
Each type of addiction is evaluated individually, but all are treated with the same compassion, structure, and clinical rigor. Whether the addiction is behaviorally or chemically driven, treatment focuses on both the symptoms and the deeper emotional roots behind them.
The Link Between Addiction and Mental Health
Addiction rarely exists in isolation. It often co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or ADHD. These co-occurring disorders can fuel addictive behavior, creating a cycle that becomes harder to break without comprehensive care. Adolescents may begin using substances or engaging in compulsive behaviors as a way to manage overwhelming emotions or undiagnosed conditions, while adults may develop addictions as a maladaptive coping mechanism for chronic stress or trauma.
At Mental Health Haven, Kristen Chambers takes a dual-diagnosis approach that treats both addiction and any underlying mental health conditions simultaneously. By addressing the emotional and cognitive factors that contribute to addictive behaviors, patients can make meaningful, sustainable progress. Therapy focuses not only on symptom reduction but also on improving emotional insight, building healthy coping skills, and developing stronger self-awareness.
Customized Treatment Plans for Recovery
Effective treatment for addiction must be personalized. There is no single solution that works for every patient. Recovery plans at Mental Health Haven are tailored based on the type of addiction, the patient’s age, co-existing mental health conditions, and their stage of readiness for change. Kristen Chambers works collaboratively with patients to develop goals that are achievable, measurable, and personally meaningful.
Treatment may include a combination of therapy, medication management, lifestyle restructuring, and relapse prevention strategies. For some patients, harm reduction may be the first step—especially if abstinence is not yet realistic. Over time, the focus shifts toward long-term sobriety or behavioral regulation, depending on the nature of the addiction. For adolescents, family involvement is often included as part of the therapeutic process. For adults, therapy may also explore issues related to relationships, career stability, and self-worth that may have been damaged by the addiction.
Therapy Modalities and Tools Used in Treatment
Kristen Chambers uses a range of therapeutic approaches that are grounded in evidence and tailored to the individual. Therapy sessions often blend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based techniques. These modalities help patients identify triggers, challenge distorted thinking patterns, and replace compulsive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
Some commonly used tools and techniques include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps patients recognize the thoughts and behaviors that fuel their addiction and learn how to interrupt those cycles.
- Motivational Interviewing: Supports patients in finding their own motivation to change, especially during early stages of ambivalence or denial.
- Relapse Prevention Planning: Identifies high-risk situations and develops a clear plan for how to manage urges and setbacks without shame.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): For certain substance use disorders, medication may be prescribed as part of a broader recovery strategy.
- Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation: Techniques to build awareness of internal states and reduce the impulsivity that often drives addictive behavior.
Treatment is always collaborative, respectful, and focused on empowering the patient to reclaim control over their choices and life direction.
Addressing Adolescent-Specific Addiction Challenges
Teenagers and young adults present unique challenges when it comes to addiction treatment. The adolescent brain is still developing, particularly in areas related to impulse control and long-term decision-making. As a result, teens are often more vulnerable to addictive behaviors and may not fully grasp the impact of their actions. They may also be influenced by peer pressure, social media, or underlying mental health conditions that complicate the picture.
Kristen Chambers provides adolescent addiction care that is developmentally sensitive and parent-inclusive. Therapy sessions aim to build trust and provide teens with a safe, confidential space to explore the reasons behind their behavior. At the same time, parents or guardians are educated about signs of relapse, healthy boundaries, and communication strategies. The treatment process for teens emphasizes emotional regulation, self-esteem building, and setting goals that align with their values and future plans.
Virtual Support and Continuity of Care
Mental Health Haven recognizes that flexibility and accessibility are crucial in addiction treatment. Kristen Chambers offers virtual appointments for patients who may be balancing work, school, or travel obligations. This is especially helpful for college students or young adults who have moved away but want to maintain continuity in their mental health care. Virtual therapy ensures that support remains available during high-risk periods, such as transitions, holidays, or times of stress.
For patients working with other providers, Kristen is open to collaborative care. This includes coordinating with local therapists, primary care providers, or addiction specialists to ensure a comprehensive support system. Communication and transparency are core values at Mental Health Haven, and every effort is made to provide patients with a seamless treatment experience.
Taking the First Step Toward Recovery
Recovery from addiction is not a straight line, and no one should have to walk it alone. With support, education, and the right treatment approach, healing is possible. At Mental Health Haven in Stuart and West Palm Beach, Florida, Kristen Chambers, psychiatric nurse practitioner, provides compassionate, evidence-based care to adolescents and adults seeking freedom from addiction. Whether you’re facing substance use, gambling, sex, or video game addiction, you’ll find a partner in recovery who listens without judgment and guides with expertise.
If you or someone you love is ready to explore treatment options, contact Mental Health Haven to schedule an appointment. The path to lasting change starts with a single conversation.
Resources:
Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic Advances from the Brain Disease Model of Addiction. New England Journal of Medicine.
Grant, J. E., Potenza, M. N., Weinstein, A., & Gorelick, D. A. (2010). Introduction to Behavioral Addictions. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Weinstein, A. M. (2017). An Update Overview on Brain Imaging Studies of Internet Gaming Disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry.