Promoting Recovery and Preventing Relapse in Chemically Dependent Adolescents (From Practical Approaches in Treating Adolescent Chemical Dependency: A Guide to Clinical Assessment and Intervention, P 205-238, 1989, Paul B Henry, ed. -- See NCJ-118086)

• NCJ Number: 118094
• Author(s): P R Cohen
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 34 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper discusses recovery and relapse prevention for chemically dependent adolescents.

Abstract

There are specific stages of recovery from chemical dependency that can take several years to achieve. For every stage of recovery, there are specific characteristics, goals, and tasks. Any therapeutic technique must be adapted to the different stages of recovery, since patients can only respond to the technique based on their development at a particular stage. Adolescent development must be taken into account in helping chemically dependent adolescents move through the stages of recovery. These stages involve crisis, assessment, intervention, contract (where an agreement is made by adolescents and their families to obtain treatment), detoxification and withdrawal, awareness, recovery plan, and maintenance. A relapse treatment and prevention approach is recommended that centers around problem identification and the evaluation of adolescents' stress symptoms, learning potential, temperament, and primary signs of relapse. Case studies are cited to illustrate issues in addition to chemical dependency that can complicate an adolescent's successful recovery. An appendix contains checklists for both professionals and adolescents to facilitate the identification of signs of relapse. 18 references.