Addictions Program
Our Providers
Our pediatric specialists provide personalized care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional health needs.
Substance use disorders and other types of addiction are chronic medical diseases in which children and youth engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Addiction involves complex interactions among:
- Brain circuits
- Genetics
- The environment
- An individual’s life experiences
Early engagement in treatment can prevent and reduce harm associated with addiction.
Helping Your Family through Comprehensive Addiction Treatment
At Children’s National, the Addictions Program works within Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences to take a patient-centered, empathetic and strength-based approach to treatment. We recognize that addiction often begins at childhood but requires ongoing care of varying intensity well into adulthood.
With your family’s consent, we work collaboratively with your child’s other healthcare providers, such as their pediatrician and therapist, to provide comprehensive care. We provide Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) apart from treating any co-occurring psychiatric condition.
When necessary, we can connect your child, teen or young adult to higher levels of care, including intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and, in some cases, residential programs.
Family Resources
Advice From Our Experts
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