A New Approach to Substance Abuse Treatment

Techniques used by occupational therapists trained in SI were adapted to treat hyperarousal and overreactivity to the environment in chemically dependent adolescents and young adults, in order to maintain them in the treatment environment until they were ready to graduate.

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are not only at risk for drug and alcohol dependence, but are also difficult to maintain in a chemical dependency facility due to disruptive behaviors. Such patients may be "hyperaroused," a term coined by the field of occupational therapy, but oppositional behaviors hide their physical and emotional overreactivity. Thirty years ago, occupational therapist Dr. Jean Ayres developed Sensory Integration (SI) techniques that are traditionally used with children under 12 years of age who are diagnosed with learning disabilities, autism, and ADHD. Many of the chemically dependent adolescent and young adult patients with ADHD who are in treatment display characteristics similar to those of children traditionally targeted for this therapy. Techniques used by occupational therapists trained in SI were adapted to treat hyperarousal and overreactivity to the environment in chemically dependent adolescents and young adults, in order to maintain them in the treatment environment until they were ready to graduate. The techniques were successful in maintaining and educating patients about ADHD and chemical dependency.