Treatment for Childhood Chemical Abuse (From Childhood and Chemical Abuse: Prevention and Intervention, P 231-248, 1986, Stephanie Griswold-Ezekoye, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-110667)

• NCJ Number: 110675
• Author(s): G Beschner
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes intervention and treatment services available to youth and adolescents with chemical abuse problems and necessary components of a comprehensive approach to servicing these youth.

Abstract

Research on treatment outcomes of various types of programs are examined. Statistics indicate that more than 65,000 young persons 17 years old and younger entered drug and alcohol treatment facilities in 1984. The author argues that relatively few programs are designed to treat young chemical abusers. A national survey which compared 31 residential and 43 outpatient drug treatment programs for young people is cited. Results indicate that 69 percent of outpatient programs devoted staff time to counseling and psychotherapy, compared to 40 percent of residential programs. A number of exploratory studies evaluating the effectiveness of other adolescent treatment methods are described. Well-conceived and designed studies are needed to: (1) determine the efficacy of different treatment options available to childhood substance abusers, (2) find out which youngsters profit most and which least from particular treatments, and (3) identify aspects of treatment which bring about the desired changes. 25 references.