NCJ Number
118091
Date Published
1989
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Intervention strategies for chemically dependent adolescents must identify the salient problems and initiate appropriate treatment.
Abstract
Youth workers and professionals generally agree on four trends in alcohol use by adolescents: (1) alcohol is becoming the preferred drug among teens; (2) drinking and driving problems occur even among adolescents of junior high school age; (3) the incidence of chemical dependency and related dysfunctional behavior requiring intervention and treatment is increasing; and (4) parents tend to look the other way or even encourage drinking by their children in the belief that alcohol is preferable to other drugs. A model intervention approach for use with chemically dependent adolescents is described that involves a form of "behavioral contract," attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings at least twice weekly, attendance at group and individual counseling sessions on a weekly basis, open discussion, and vocational assistance. This approach accomplishes the following: receives and evaluates adolescents with behavioral problems, specifically alcohol and drug related, from police department, court system, and human service department referrals; makes counseling, education, and support services available for adolescents and parents; and provides teacher training in the identification of adolescent substance abuse. The model approach is based on the premise that youth should be presented with all the facts and consequences of their behavior so that responsible behavior and decisionmaking will result. It is concluded that the most effective recovery programs for chemically dependent adolescents combine professional treatment with membership in programs such as AA or NA. 14 references.