Counseling the Resistant Chemically Dependent Adolescent (From Tough Customers: Counseling Unwilling Clients, P 65-72, 1991, George A Harris, ed. -- See NCJ-132622)

• NCJ Number: 132627
• Author(s): G J Stockey; D D Blain
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Publication Type: Training (Aid/Material)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Adolescent drug abusers are often resistant to treatment, and counselors must understand the role of coercion in motivating them to change and use appropriate techniques in responding to resistance.

Abstract

Admitting defeat and seeking help are contrary to the aims of adolescence, and addicted adolescents often rebel and reject authority. Therefore, therapists should accept the potential need for coercion and learn to use it to the youth's advantage. Sources of coercion include parents, schools, police, and court systems. The first step in treatment is to determine and address the source of the particular youth's resistance to treatment. The four basic sources are simple denial, fear of failure, fear of loss of identity, and loss of control. Regardless of which source is most significant with a particular youth, teaching youths about the disease concept of drug addiction may also help them overcome their resistance to treatment.