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Substance Dependency Treatment for Adolescents: Practice and Research

NCJ Number
186810
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse: An International Interdisciplinary Forum Volume: 35 Issue: 12-14 Dated: 2000 Pages: 2031-2060
Author(s)
Nancy Jainchill Ph.D.
Date Published
2000
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the more common treatment approaches that address adolescent substance abuse and the spectrum of problems that often attend involvement with drugs.
Abstract
Treatment approaches for the adolescent with substance abuse and related problems are relatively new, and many have evolved from adult models. The research that has been conducted has focused on addressing basic questions about whether particular treatments "work," i.e., whether the adolescent abstains or shows significant reductions in drug or alcohol consumption. The most common outpatient treatment approaches for adolescents involve 12-steps based on programs and family-based therapies that may be used separately or in conjunction with each other. The therapeutic community is a residential approach, characterized by the use of the peer community to facilitate social and psychological change in individuals. Both outpatient and residential modalities have demonstrated effectiveness in working with adolescents. Ideally, the type of intervention will depend on the young person's needs, in particular the extent and effects of his/her drug use, as well as the level of other problems. Overall, treatment must address a range of concerns of special relevance to adolescents because of their age and dependency status; e.g., developmental stage, cultural issues, and gender issues. 86 references