NCJ Number
188400
Date Published
2000
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the prevalence of adolescent alcohol abuse and dependence treatment, the unique needs of adolescents in alcohol treatment, screening and assessment, and the levels of treatment.
Abstract
SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) indicated that approximately 80 percent of adult respondents who received alcohol treatment reported that they first became intoxicated before the age of 18. Within TEDS treatment admissions, the proportion of those under 18 years old had increased slightly from 7 percent in 1992 to 9 percent in 1997. Adolescent alcohol use often stems from different causes than for adults. In treatment, adolescents must be approached differently from adults because of developmental issues, differences in values and belief systems, environmental considerations such as strong peer influences, and educational requirements. Treatment approaches should also account for age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, family structure, cognitive and social development, and readiness for change. Treatment should involve family members, because family history may play a role in the origins of the problem, and successful treatment cannot occur in isolation. Treatment providers should have specific training in the principles of adolescent development, and treatment programs should not mix adult clients with adolescent clients. The identification and assessment of alcohol problems in adolescents prior to treatment is important. One approach is the use of brief screening instruments, most commonly self-report questionnaires. Based on the findings of screening and assessment, treatment levels are selected according to the severity of the problem. Various treatment levels include brief interventions, outpatient treatment, intensive inpatient care, therapeutic communities, self-help groups, and family therapy. 21 notes