In adolescent substance misuse, family-based treatment is one of the most thoroughly studied treatment modalities with a number of family-based interventions having been developed, tested, and showing promise in treating substance-misusing adolescents. Family-based adolescent substance abuse treatment research has evolved significantly over the last 20 years. Family-based therapies have been identified as reducing drug abuse and correlated problem behaviors and in changing multiple areas of functioning related to the genesis and continuation of drug problems, including connection to deviant peers, school-related difficulties, and dysfunctional family environments. Process studies have found evidence for particular theory-based aspects of family oriented treatment, establishing family-based treatment as a viable and needed option for treatment providers in a variety of settings. By performing a selective and interpretative literature review and analysis, this paper characterizes the developmental status of the family-based adolescent alcohol and drug treatment therapy. References