57% of young people arriving in CAD present a risk of addiction to networks and gambling

Addiction to a substance or activity is a disease. This is the fundamental principle from which we must begin to approach a very complex and multifaceted reality. Throughout 2023, the last full year, individual interventions were carried out in the addiction treatment centers (CAD) of Madrid City Hall with a total of 2,125 adolescents and young people, 57% of whom are at risk and 43% present criteria for addiction. . The people who turn to CAD of these 53% do so mainly for the use of video games, social networks or betting (39%); Behind are cannabis (38%); alcohol (18%) and cocaine (3%). This is how Beatriz Mesías, deputy general director of the Madrid Salud Institute of Drug Addiction, explains it. Those with minor dependency criteria make up the remaining 43% of those seeking help at these centers. Here, the proportions change and 57% concern cannabis and to a lesser extent video games, social networks or gambling (13%); alcohol (12%) and cocaine (19%). In children in this age group, an assessment is carried out which allows them to know their level of risk in relation to their consumption, the areas of their life most affected and therefore, which intervention plan is best. On this basis, the interdisciplinary team specializing in adolescents and young people will support you individually and/or in groups, and will intervene with the family whenever necessary. In addition, there are specific support resources, such as day centers, career guidance service…Related news Si High Madrid report on “laughing gas”: the fashionable foreign drug arrives in the capital Aitor Santos Moya The nitrous rust, which arrived ten years ago in the tourist areas of the Levant and the Balearic Islands, was relocated after Covid. During the year 2023, 21 groups were developed at the CAD, in which 243 young people participated. The Family Guidance Service helped 1,521 relatives. Concerning the reasons for consultation, 14% concerned administrative sanctions, 37% for substance consumption and 44% for video games, social networks or gambling. Concerning minors who have been fined for having been caught by the Municipal Police making a big deal, but who wish to do so. benefit from the rehabilitative alternative instead of payment, can do so. “The intervention consists of an initial reception and assessment meeting, which will determine the socio-educational or therapeutic actions. We understand rehabilitation or alternative measures as an opportunity to be able to assess the risk of the minor in relation to alcohol consumption and design an intervention adapted to it”, explains Beatriz Mesías. The main objectives are to raise awareness of their behavior regarding alcohol consumption; report and identify associated risk or vulnerability situations; promote changes in risky behaviors; problematic behaviors, daily habits and activities, personal relationships and emotional states; promote and improve social, personal and life skills and enhance personal resources, providing useful reference models in their personal development; , 111 minors were welcomed into this program Very diverse factorsMesías recalls that in these cases “many factors influence: genetic, biological, social…”: “Adolescence is very vulnerable, which is why we must be careful. at the start of consumption. They denote strong impulsivity, disruptive behavior, psychological illnesses… They are more at risk. And it must be detected as early as possible. It is very difficult, outside of these programs and care, to know the real number of people addicted to these substances. “We really have perspective on what we see in the centers where we work. Recently, the National Medicines Plan indicators were published, which are the most reliable, even if the trend is not very different. The key is always to anticipate, to arrive before the problem appears”, explains the deputy general director of drug addiction of Madrid Salud, an organization dependent on the Security and Emergency Zone, headed by the deputy of mayor and municipal spokesperson, Inma Sanz.

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