ADOLESCENT COUNSELING IN DEVELOPMENT (ACID) WAS BEGUN IN 1969 TO HELP DEAL WITH THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM IN THREE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE, MIDDLE-CLASS, SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES OF METROPOLITAN BOSTON. SINCE THAT TIME ACID HAS EXPANDED TO PROVIDE A MULTIMODALITY TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS, YOUNG ADULTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE INVOLVED IN PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM, AND ACTING-OUT BEHAVIOR SYNDROMES. THE PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE VIEW THAT DRUG ABUSE INVOLVES A WIDE VARIETY OF PERSONAL, EMOTIONAL, FAMILIAL, AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND CONDITIONS. THE TREATMENT FOCUSES ON THE PRESENT MOMENT OF THE CLIENT'S EXPERIENCE--HOW THE CLIENTS FUNCTION, COMMUNICATED, AND INTERACTS, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THEIR CURRENT CRISES, CONFLICTS, AND CONCERNS. PROGRAM ELEMENTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DETOXIFICATION AND MEDICAL SERVICES AT THE LOCAL HOSPITALS, OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, INCLUDING ORIENTATION, GROUP THERAPY, FAMILY THERAPY, AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SPECIAL NEEDS DAY-CARE VIA PUBLIC SCHOOL REFERRAL; INPATIENT TREATMENT AT THE ADOLESCENT COUNSELING RESIDENTIAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT; STREETWORK/OUTREACH PROGRAM; AND CRISIS INTERVENTION VIA HOTLINE AND A DROP-IN CENTER. THE PROGRAM STAFF WORKS AT MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH REFERRAL SOURCES AND ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE TREATMENT OF CLIENTS. TWO CASE HISTORIES ARE PRESENTED TO ILLUSTRATE HOW THE PROGRAM OPERATES WITH INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)