Adolescent Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: Outcomes and Outcome Predictors

• NCJ Number: 196010
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 1-18
• Author(s): Patricia A. Harrison; Stephen E. Asche
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 18 pages
• Contract Number(s): 270-97-7018
• Sponsoring Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin (SAMHSA)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation that assessed statewide outcomes for adolescents involved in substance abuse treatment in Minnesota.

Abstract

In order to evaluate adolescent treatment outcomes, Minnesota implemented a statewide outcome monitoring system modeled after its adult system, but enhanced by interviews with parents. The system was designed to compile comprehensive patient profiles and detailed information on treatment services as well as to measure pretreatment and posttreatment patient functioning on many important dimensions. The study investigated the relationship between a large number of patient and parent factors and several outcomes, namely, successful treatment completion and 6-month posttreatment substance use, legal problems, and emotional distress. The study hypothesized that severity of patient problems would be predictive of poorer outcomes and that parental supervision, support for treatment, and participation in treatment would be predictive of more favorable outcomes. For each of the 49 outpatient and inpatient/residential treatment programs in the State that served adolescents, a target sample that ranged from 5 to 30 was defined, based on anticipated admissions for the study period. Twelve programs did not submit data. Participation in the study was limited to Minnesota residents aged 14 to 17 admitted to treatment in 1998. A total of 387 adolescents composed the study sample. Six-month follow-up interviews were completed for 323 of the participants. For 363 of the subjects, a parent or legal guardian also participated. The study found that only 21.4 percent of the adolescents reported abstinence for the 6 months following treatment; however, marijuana use frequency, symptom counts, illegal activities, and emotional distress declined significantly. Logistic regression analyses showed that females were more likely to complete treatment and maintain posttreatment abstinence, but parent participation in treatment predicted neither. These and other results of the study are discussed in terms of their implications for examining the current treatment system. 3 tables and 23 references